Deceased
Jason Jon Garrels
Demographics
27y, male
Date of death
2012-02-27
Finding date
2015-08-11
Cause of death
Electrocution causing cardiac arrest
AI-generated summary
A 27-year-old labourer, Jason Garrels, died from electrocution after contacting a metal construction switchboard with live 240V wiring on 27 February 2012. The coroner found critical failures in electrical safety compliance: the main switchboard lacked a residual current device (RCD) on the third street circuit despite regulatory requirements; the temporary switchboard was installed without proper cable entry protection (PVC fitting with locking nut), contrary to electrical standards; and the licensed electrician had insufficient experience managing large subdivisions. The site had other hazards: extremely wet, boggy ground conditions due to incomplete civil works; poor electrical cable routing; and lack of supervision. Paramedic access was severely hampered by ground conditions, delaying resuscitation efforts. The coroner found the electrician deliberately stripped electrical components from the switchboard after the incident, likely to conceal the absence of the RCD. A workplace health and safety inspector issued the highest-level electrical safety notice but failed to immediately disconnect power, despite having authority to do so. Multiple regulatory failures and inadequate experience in complex electrical work created preventable conditions for fatal electrocution.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Clinical conditions
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