An electrical worker has been fined $4,000 in the Gatton Industrial Magistrates Court for moonlighting as an electrical contractor.
The worker pleaded guilty to having contracted for electrical work at various places, including Woodbine, Junction View and Tenthill.
Although the worker was a qualified and licensed electrical worker, his contractor licence, had lapsed in late 2004.
The worker had continued trading as a contractor, contracting work for domestic and residential clients through late 2005, 2006 and 2007. Some of the work was minor, but one customer was invoiced for work in excess of $20,000.
The Electrical Safety Regulation 2002 requires contractors to hold $5,000,000 of public liability insurance as a means of consumer protection. Where work is performed by an unlicensed electrical contractor, even one with an electrical work licence, insurance protection for the consumer is uncertain.
The Industrial Magistrate, in accepting the electrical worker’s early plea of guilty and that the worker had been under family and financial stress, nevertheless pointed out that in committing this type of offence the licensing system is ignored, with consumers, and others, being potentially placed in jeopardy.
The worker had no prior convictions and has since made application for his electrical contractor’s licence.
The worker was also required to pay $1,500 in investigation costs and $68.50 Court costs.
No conviction was recorded.
Last updated 21 July 2009
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Justice and Attorney-General) 2009.
