A campaign is providing a stark reminder of the potentially lethal dangers of DIY electrical or gas fitting work, which must always be carried out by a licensed professional.

Radio, social media and video messages from Building and Energy highlight the similarity between DIY and DIE to discourage unlicensed people from attempting this work, which has led to several deaths and near-misses in WA.

“By law, no one should work on electrical or gas installations at your home or business unless they are a licensed electrician or a licensed gasfitter,” WA’s Director of Energy Safety, Saj Abdoolakhan, said.

“These licence holders have completed years of training and experience to be able to handle hazardous situations and deliver safe and compliant work. Never attempt your own gas or electrical work – it could cause death or serious injury to you or others.”

In the past six years, at least three people in WA have tragically died from electrocution related to amateur electrical work. A young father in the Great Southern touched a friend’s homemade high-voltage art device, an elderly woman in Perth’s northern suburbs made contact with an unauthorised 240-volt electric fence installed by a family member and a Swan Valley man was found deceased while working on a home spa.

DIY electrical work can also cause fires and blasts, while unlicensed gas fitting work can result in gas leaks, explosions or carbon monoxide exposure.

“There may also be property damage and liability or insurance issues,” Mr Abdoolakhan said. “We hope our campaign prompts people to think twice before attempting their own work.”

View the campaign video at the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlKYCfu_Z1w.

A licence search can be carried out at demirs.wa.gov.au or via the Service WA app to check or find a licensed electrical contractor, gas fitter and other occupations.

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Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au

Images from Building and Energy’s “Don’t DIY” campaign: