Finding into death of G P
Deceased
GP
Demographics
34y, male
Date of death
2020-05-25
Finding date
2023-03-06
Cause of death
Electrocution
AI-generated summary
A 34-year-old experienced restricted electrical worker died from electrocution while installing a Daikin air conditioner on a residential rooftop. He failed to isolate the main power switch before removing the compressor cover, exposing live electrical terminals. The property lacked residual current devices (RCDs), which might have prevented the death. The coroner found the death was preventable through adherence to basic electrical safety procedures: disconnecting power before work and following established safety protocols. This case highlights the critical importance of never working on energised equipment, regardless of experience level, and the ongoing need to retrofit RCDs in older Australian homes. The coroner commended ESV's 'Never work live' campaign and noted previous similar fatalities were all attributable to human error rather than equipment failure.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Failure to isolate power supply before commencing work on air conditioner compressor
- Removal of compressor cover exposing live electrical terminals
- Absence of residual current devices (RCDs) in the residential switchboard
- Human error in not following established electrical safety procedures
Coroner's recommendations
- Continued promotion of ESV's 'Never work live' campaign among electricians and tradespersons
- Ongoing advocacy for retrofitting RCDs to older Victorian homes
- Support for the implementation of the Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021 requirements for RCDs in rental properties
- Continuation of collaboration between Victorian Coroners Court and ESV on expanding Australia and New Zealand Wiring Rules to include RCD retrofitting requirements
Full text
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