Coroner's Finding: GREGG Robert
Deceased
Robert Gregg
Demographics
13y, male
Date of death
2000-09-22
Finding date
2002-05-22
Cause of death
Electrocution
AI-generated summary
Robert Gregg, aged 13, died from electrocution in his family's underground dugout home in Coober Pedy after touching a defective floodlight connected via extension cords to an unearthed socket outlet lacking a residual current device (RCD/safety switch). The electrical installation was substandard; a contractor had previously advised $3000–5000 in remedial work was needed. The District Council of Coober Pedy failed to follow up on reports of the dangerous wiring and did not disconnect the supply despite statutory obligations under the Electricity Act. Had the council acted on these reports, or had an RCD been installed, the death would likely have been prevented. Key lessons: electrical hazards must be promptly reported and investigated; RCDs provide critical protection; and regulatory agencies must enforce safety standards consistently, particularly in communities with older installations.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Clinical conditions
Procedures
Contributing factors
- Absence of earth connection at double socket outlet
- Lack of residual current device (RCD/safety switch) protection
- Damaged insulation on extension cord live conductor
- Substandard electrical wiring installation
- Failure of District Council of Coober Pedy to follow up on reports of dangerous wiring
- Failure to disconnect power supply despite statutory obligations
- Non-compliant electrical installation not reported to Office of Technical Regulator
Coroner's recommendations
- District Council of Coober Pedy ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place to comply with its responsibilities as an electricity supplier under the Electricity Act
- Office of the Technical Regulator continue to monitor Coober Pedy to ensure consumers have the same degree of electrical safety as elsewhere in the State
- OTR continue to oversee electricity supply operations of DCCP to ensure full compliance with the Electricity Act
- OTR continue oversight of electrical contractors in the town
- Public be warned of the dangers of unqualified persons attempting electrical work
- Homebuyers arrange safety checks on electrical installations by licensed contractors prior to purchase
- Use only licensed electrical contractors for electrical work
- Electrical contractors supply Certificates of Compliance for work performed
- Inspect flexible cords for damage and discard or repair damaged cords
- Electrical safety seminars be provided to the opal mining industry
- OTR continue publicity campaign to encourage installation of safety switches (RCDs)
Full text
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