Unqualified Worker Injured while Supervised by Individual with Fraudulent Qualifications

Location: Langford, BC

Regulated industry sector: Electrical - Low voltage electrical system (30V to 1000V)

Incident overview

A contracted labourer was modifying fluorescent light fixtures to convert them to LED fixtures at a major retailer when an electrical fault occurred, causing a partial lighting outage. Later that night, another worker, while troubleshooting the lighting outage in a still-energized electrical panel, caused an arc fault that burnt their face and hands, as well as damaged the equipment. Investigation found that the injured worker was unqualified to perform this type of work and was supervised by another unqualified individual using fraudulent certifications. Three other workers within the store were also injured with minor smoke inhalation due to the incident.