Incident

On 11 February 2025, an electrical worker employed by CEL sustained serious burn injuries in an electrical flashover event while working in the main switchboard room of a commercial construction site in Auckland.

Alleged contravention

As a result of WorkSafe’s investigation, WorkSafe considers that CEL has contravened sections 36(1)(a) and 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA), in that CEL failed to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers, working for CEL while at work in this business or undertaking.

It is alleged that the risk materialised when an arch flash occurred while a worker was carrying out work on a switchboard, resulting in serious burn injuries to his arms and face.

Summary highlights of the enforceable undertaking

• Financial amends to the victim.
• Health and Safety Governance training for the company director.
• A worker consultation initiative to identify and implement health and safety improvements.
• Publication of an article on arc flash risk management in Safeguard Magazine to share lessons learned with the wider health and safety community.
• Delivery of training seminars for the electrical industry on best practice in arc flash risk management and electrical testing.
• Donation to the Burns Support Group to support recovery and prevention initiatives.

Reasons for accepting the undertaking

The enforceable undertaking meets the requirements of WorkSafe’s Enforceable Undertakings Operational Policy (September 2019), considering:

• The activities in the enforceable undertaking and how they promote progressively higher standards of work health and safety.
• The nature of the alleged contravention and how serious it was.
• Information received from any interested party in relation to the contravention.
• Mitigation and remedial action, already taken or planned, regarding both the contravention and any person affected by the contravention (including victims).
• The business's, past performance and compliance history with health and safety legislation.
• Any likely outcome if the matter were dealt with by legal proceedings.
  • A charge was filed in relation to this incident on the basis that there was both evidential sufficiency and a public interest in initiating prosecution.
  • The undertaking accounts for the benefits that accrue to CEL by a prosecution not proceeding.
• Any other matter which WorkSafe thinks is relevant.
  • The undertaking delivers benefits beyond compliance.
  • The undertaking supports WorkSafe’s strategic objectives.
  • The undertaking contains acceptable terms.

Date accepted

22 December 2025

Further information

View the Citywide Electrical Limited enforceable undertaking: