The Inspectorate said while fuses at the rear of the incoming circuit breaker enclosure protected the voltmeter, the terminals on the voltmeter were not shrouded.
“The area of a motor control centre near the incoming cables and circuit breaker was high risk to electricians working in the enclosure,” the Mines Inspectorate said.
“Often the hazards of live equipment, e.g. voltmeters and busbars, exist when the main incoming circuit breaker is open.
“This area of a motor control centre, i.e. from the low voltage cable terminations of the transformer to the line side terminations on the incoming circuit breaker, is a high arc flash energy area.”
The Mines Inspectorate issued several recommendations on controls necessary to prevent similar incidents.
Key contact:
Peter Herbert
Inspector of Mines
07 4967 0863
Peter.Herbert@dme.qld.gov.au