Safety regulator publishes report on electric shocks in the NSW mining sector

NSW Mining Sector Faces Rising Electric Shock Incidents

The NSW Resources Regulator has issued a safety bulletin indicating that from January, there have been 15 reported electric shock incidents to the Regulator over a span of five months. This report on electric shocks in the NSW mining sector highlights a concerning trend that safety professionals across construction and mining should note.

What the Report Reveals

The regulator observes that this represents a significant rise compared to the prior 12 months, and there has also been a noted increase in the number of apprentices experiencing electric shocks. These incidents span multiple mine sites, underscoring gaps in electrical safety practices that extend beyond mining into broader construction environments where similar electrical risks exist.

Apprentices appear disproportionately affected, suggesting that training and supervision arrangements warrant closer scrutiny. Any worker new to a site or task faces elevated risk when electrical hazards aren't clearly identified or controlled.

Regulator Recommendations

Several recommendations have been issued by the regulator, which state that mine operators and other persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) ought to review their electrical engineering control plans to verify existing safeguards against shock are adequate for specific tasks being executed.

Key actions PCBUs should consider include:

• Reviewing electrical engineering control plans against current task requirements
• Verifying isolation procedures are followed consistently across all shifts
• Strengthening supervision arrangements for apprentices and newly inducted staff
• Confirming emergency response plans account for electrical shock scenarios
• Auditing power supply infrastructure for wear, damage, or non-compliance

Robust emergency preparedness remains essential, since rapid response following an electrical incident can significantly affect health outcomes for injured workers.

Why This Matters for Safety Professionals

Electrical hazards aren't unique to mining. Similar risks exist wherever heavy machinery, temporary power supply setups, or manual electrical tools are used, including on construction sites using electric jackhammers and other powered equipment.

Organisations managing electrical risk should maintain current documentation, including job safety analyses tailored to electrical tasks. A Digital JSA template can help teams identify hazards before work begins, reducing reliance on after-the-fact incident reviews.

This bulletin follows a pattern of regular regulatory updates. Readers may also find value in our coverage of the NSW Resources Regulator's Quarterly safety report, our summary of the safety report for the first quarter of 2026, and analysis of the safety report for the last quarter of 2024, all of which track incident trends across the sector.

Staying Informed

Keeping pace with regulatory news helps safety teams anticipate compliance obligations before they become urgent. Subscribing to updates from the Regulator, alongside industry news sources, ensures PCBUs aren't caught off guard by emerging trends.

For organisations needing assistance interpreting these findings or updating documentation, our support team can help align safety management systems with current regulatory expectations.

Additional details are available here via the NSW Resources Regulator.