Company pleads guilty to fatal insulation installation safety breach

Arrow Property Maintenance recently pleaded guilty to breaching section 27 of the Queensland Electrical Safety Act 2002 for failing to conduct its business or undertaking in a way that was electrically safe and section 24 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 for failing to ensure its workers were protected from falls from height.

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General laid charges against the company following an extensive investigation into the death of a 16-year-old male worker who was electrocuted while installing fibreglass insulation.

The Court heard that in November 2009, Arrow Property Maintenance carried on a general property maintenance business which included the installation of fibreglass insulation in domestic premises. A joint investigation was conducted into the fatal incident by inspectors from the Electrical Safety Office and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, both part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

The investigation found:

• A pre-existing defect was present in the ceiling cavity. A screw had penetrated a cable and caused parts of the house, including a ceiling batten, to be live. This defect was present for at least 10 years.
• Arrow Property Maintenance allowed work to proceed without the house, or any parts, being isolated or de-energised.
• Only minimal induction or training was given to workers.
• There were no specific or documented procedures in place for installation of insulation.
• The deceased worker was permitted to use a conductive, aluminium pole to position or place insulation batts.
• No training was provided to workers in relation to first aid for electric shock.
• In addition to electrical issues facing the workers, they were positioned on the roof some 4.8 m above the ground, without any consideration as to fall protection.
• There were no procedures in place for working at height.