Faulty hazardous area electrical installations have the potential to cause a major catastrophe on a facility.

Each state and territory have their own Occupational Health and Safety Act. As of 2019 the legislation is administered by the following entities.

The requirements in each state and territory are similar, so we will only consider one state. In Western Australia, the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 was enacted to promote and improve standards for occupational safety and health, and to establish the WorkSafe Western Australia whose role is to facilitate the coordination of the administration of laws relating to occupational safety and health.

The Act places certain responsibilities upon the employer and the employee. Clause 20 (1) states that you, the employee, must take reasonable care to:

• ensure your own safety and health at work; and
• avoid adversely affecting the safety or health of any other person through any act or omission at work

Note that your omission to do something could cause you to be in contravention of the Act. One specific way to contravene clause 20 (1) is your failure to report any situation at the workplace that you have reason to believe could constitute a hazard to any person and you cannot correct yourself.

IMPORTANT: The maximum penalty is a fine of up to $550,000 and imprisonment for 5 years (First Offence Individual). 

Failure to report an overtly faulty installation could make you liable to the above fine, but far worse, it could also cost you and your colleagues your lives.