• Home
• About
• Services
• News and Articles
• Contact

Electrical Fatality of Insulation Installer

The Electrical Safety Office and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland are investigating the fatality of an insulation installer on 14 October 2009.
A second person assisting with the work received an electric shock and burns.

While an investigation is underway, it appears that a staple, used to fix foil insulation in the roof space of a home, may have pierced an electric cable which energised the foil.

Insulation installers are warned of the dangers associated with installing conductive foil type insulation near electrical equipment including cables, light fittings and ceiling fans etc. Installed incorrectly this could cause the insulation to become energised, not only posing an electrical risk to the installer but also to others.

A safe system of work should be used to manage such risks. This system must include measures to avoid damaging electrical equipment/cables when installing conductive material like aluminium insulation products.
The Electrical Safety Act requires an employer or self employed person to conduct their business in a way that is electrically safe. This is also relevant to non-electrical work such as installing insulation material.
While such events may not always result in death, they can still have a serious impact on your health, including burns, damage to the nervous system, brain, sensory/motor organs, heart and lungs. A shock can also throw you off balance resulting in fall injuries. The prospect of such injuries occurring in a roof space can make rescue difficult resulting in a delay in treatment.

For further information check the ESO website.
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/electricalsafety/index.htm