Tait, Graham

Contributing factors

• Partial loss of power not accompanied by warning of possible fallen power lines
• Call centre scripting did not include warning of fallen power line risk for brown out situations
• Deceased not barefoot and on damp ground
• No protective spreaders or low-voltage fuses installed on this span of conductors
• Conductors fell after being struck by flying fox or bird causing active-neutral contact and arcing
• Absence of warning to family about dangers of investigating electrical issues without professional assistance

Coroner's recommendations

1. Electrical entities review their call centre scripting to include a specific warning reminding callers that where there is a total or partial loss of supply, brown out or other emergency one cause may be fallen power lines and fallen or hanging power lines should be treated as live
2. Electricity entities review and if necessary develop and document procedures to guide control centre staff and field crews to deal with emergency situations involving downed live wires including de-energisation policies where urgent rescue and/or imminent threat is involved
3. Office of Fair and Safe Work Queensland progress legislative amendments to mandate the reporting to the ESO of all incidents in which low-voltage conductors fall to the ground and remain energised
4. QPS, OFSWQ and electricity entities consult and develop a shared understanding of their respective priorities and procedures to enhance the process of scene preservation and the identification and collection of evidence at fatal incidents involving electrical supply networks
5. QPS, WHSQ and ESO continue education of their personnel about the importance of early initial contact and consultation between their agencies to promote effective investigation
6. OFSWQ include in their review: (1) Consideration of reassessing lead agency allocation of an electrical incident to the ESO when that incident occurs in a 'workplace' or non-domestic premises but does not involve work-related activity; (2) Consideration of including in operational policy a requirement for a broader focus of investigations confined not simply to whether a breach has occurred but whether there are broader preventative measures that might be recommended; (3) Clarification of how investigators should consider and verify investigative reports completed by other agencies (including electrical entities), including investigators can access independent advice; (4) Consideration of improving documentation of investigations including the basis on which decisions are made; and (5) Consideration of ways to improve collaboration between ESO and WHSQ including assessing whether organisational culture may impede that collaboration