The Victorian Royal Court handed down judgements to Nordic Elevators Pty Ltd and Nordic Elevator Services Pty Ltd today, instigating significant repercussions following their admission of guilt to malpractices laid out under the Work Health and Safety Act, in addition to violations of Electricity Safety Act regulations. As a veritable reminder of the crucial role played by work safety products such as WHS Management systems, SWMS, and policies, these convictions underscore the necessity for numerous workplace sectors in maintaining a safe operating environment.
Nordic Elevators was indicted and ordered to pay $300,000 in penalties due to its negligence in offering sufficient oversight to its employees, resulting in unsafe working conditions and amplified health risks. On the other hand, Nordic Elevator Services received a heavier conviction; it was fined $580,000 following its failure to implement and uphold secure operational protocols and protect non-employees from developing hazards.
In an unfortunate episode back in March 2021, a young 21-year-old electrician apprentice on assignment from Nordic Elevators went on a single-person mission to mend a malfunctioning car lift within a residential complex. The apprentice was cut off from any professional assistance, having only remote connectivity to his associates.
Enhancing the gravity of this incident, the director of both companies – also the apprentice’s father – tragically discovered his son’s body atop the elevator, non-responsive. Subsequent court proceedings revealed the apprentice had suffered an electrocution whilst trying to switch out the door detector power unit without severing electricity supply to the lift.
WorkSafe investigations provided further testimony to the severity of these oversights, with findings exposing that the ill-fated novice had been entrusted with attending after-hour service calls independently, and tasked with undertaking licensed electrician responsibilities without proper supervision for over a year prior to the regrettable incident.
Employing airtight solutions such as the Bluesafe WHS Management System could have been a practicable way for Nordic Elevators to offer the apprentice adequate supervision by a certified A-grade electrician, as demanded by safety regulations.
Investigations also uncovered that two other workers from Nordic Elevator Services were found guilty of executing electrical tasks despite not possessing relevant licensing. The shared location and workforce between Nordic Elevators and Nordic Elevator Services made it feasible to introduce and perpetually support an operational system where electrical duties would only be assigned to licensed A-grade electricians, optimising safety for all involved parties, including apprentices like the deceased young man.
Sam Jenkin, WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, spotlighted this deeply sorrowful incident as a standing demonstration of the devastating impacts neglecting young workers’ safety can have.
“Apprentices place their faith in employers to mould their future prospects – not solely through work training, but by safeguarding them from hazards incidental to their roles,” remarked Mr Jenkin.
Jenkin laments how these companies’ failure in fulfilling basic legal commitments led to this dire loss. “WorkSafe remains diligent in taking legal action against negligent organisations. However, no punishment exceeds the profound grief this family and company now endure.”
Moreover, the companies further compounded their financial penalties by $50,000 following a unified admission of guilt to 10 charges raised by Energy Safe Victoria. Individuals dealing with electricity are advised to:
Email: media@worksafe.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0438 786 968
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Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-06/930000-fines-after-young-apprentice-electrocuted