The Registrar of the Electrical Workers Registration Board ("the Board"), having been directed by the Board in accordance with section 147Z(2) of the Electricity Act 1992, gives notice of the following registered electrical worker having been disciplined by the Board under Part 11 of the Electricity Act 1992, and the effect of the decision or order of the Board:
Brett Woodley McGehan (E 41580) was found guilty of negligently creating a risk of serious harm to
any persons as a result of carrying out prescribed electrical work contrary to section 143(b)(ii) of the Electricity Act 1992. Brett Woodley McGehan was fined $7,000.00 and ordered to pay costs of $10,000.00. The Board directed the Registrar to publish the decision, including the practitioner’s name, in the New Zealand Gazette.
Brett Woodley McGehan was contracted to carry out prescribed electrical work on a residential home
in Auckland on 30 March 2010. The work included installing a mains cable from the new meter box to the mains entry box located under the soffit of the house. The Board found that Brett Woodley McGehan transposed the wires at the mains point of entry causing the earthing system to become electrically live. Brett Woodley McGehan did not perform
any testing as required under Regulation 37 of
the Electricity Regulations 1997 and section 6 of the Wiring Rules AS/NZS3000:2000. The transposition was not detected by the inspector, Harry Martin Gedye, either.
The Board was satisfied that the work was negligent
and created a significant risk of serious harm. The fault was detected when the owner of the property received a fatal electrical shock while inspecting the hot water cylinder underneath the house.
Following the incident, the Board suspended Brett Woodley McGehan’s practising licence. That suspension was lifted after he completed an approved training course.
N. J. J. SICKELS, Registrar.