AC installer fined AUD40,000 for unsafe electrics

AUSTRALIA: A sole trader has been fined $40,000 (€26,000) for performing unlicensed electrical contracting and unsafe electrical work while installing air conditioning units.

The unnamed defendant pleaded guilty in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court in Queensland to performing unlicensed electrical contracting and failing to comply with an electrical safety duty.

The court heard that in February 2020, the defendant was issued with an electrical work training permit which was restricted to refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. He never held any other class of Queensland electrical work licence. The electrical work training permit did not permit him to perform any electrical installation work.

According to WorkSafe Queensland, he performed electrical work to install air conditioning units at five residential properties in Southeast Queensland between December 2019 and May 2020. During this period, he was actively promoting air conditioning installation services on social media.

The court heard that the installations were not electrically safe and exposed individuals to a risk of death or serious injury. 

The sole trader was fined $40,000 (€26,000), with court costs of $1,641.40 (€1,063).