Qld ESO issues injunction against unlicensed operator

Queensland’s Electrical Safety Office (ESO) has been granted an injunction in the Southport Magistrates Court to prevent Michael Emmanuel Kelly from conducting further electrical contracting and electrical work.

Kelly is accused is performing unlicensed electrical work. An ESO investigation revealed that Kelly contracted for and performed electrical work without appropriate licences between 21 March and 19 October 2019, using AirTasker to advertise.

Queensland’s independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor reviewed the evidence and issued a complaint and summons for seven contraventions of the Electrical Safety Act 2002. Kelly received a complaint and summons for three contraventions of section 55 of the Act, three contraventions of sections 30 and 40c of the Act, and one contravention of section 56 of the Act.

It is alleged that Kelly carried out unlicensed electrical contracting, conducted unlicensed electrical work, and failed to comply with a duty to ensure work was conducted in a way that was electrically safe. Kelly had previously ignored directions in improvement notices that directed him not to perform electrical work or electrical contracting without an appropriate licence.

ESO Head Donna Heelan said unlicensed electrical work is illegal and dangerous, adding that those caught doing electrical work without a licence in Queensland will face on-the-spot fines and possible prosecution.

“Once again, we’ve had to go to court to stop these people potentially putting Queenslanders’ lives at risk. However, we are doing all we can to shut down rogues in the industry who are unlicensed,” said Heelan.

Heelan urged those seeking electrical work not to be fooled by cheap or easy online offers.

“When you’re in the market for an electrician, always look for their electrical contractor licence number in their advert and check they have a current licence,” said Heelan.

Electrical contractor licence numbers can be checked through the ESO’s online licence search facility; if the electrical contractor isn’t in the database, call the ESO on 1300 632 993.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Tomasz Zajda