Unsafe and dangerous electrical appliances
The Director of Energy Safety can prohibit the sale/hire/use of an appliance or component if considered that such appliance/component is, or is likely to become, unsafe or dangerous in use. This applies also to electrical appliances/components that are approved.
Appliances that may be unsafe or dangerous should be switched or turned off and the matter reported to the Director.
Product Recalls Australia is a website of the Compliance Strategies Branch of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the national law enforcement agency that is an independent Commonwealth Government statutory authority. The website provides the public with information about voluntary safety related recalls notified to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer.
More unsafe small portable generators and battery charging leads (July 2005)
The Director of Energy Safety issued a Prohibition Notice, dated 11 July 2005, requiring additional models of portable generators and associated battery charging leads be withdrawn from sale, hire or use.
Unsafe inverters (July 2004)
EnergySafety has been advised of instances where portable inverters, under certain conditions, may be hazardous.
Unsafe battery charging leads and small portable generators (January 2004)
Several types of small portable generators on the market have an unsafe 12 volt DC socket-outlet for battery charging that has an almost identical pin configuration as a standard 240 volt socket-outlet. The associated plug on the battery charging lead supplied with the generator can be forced into a standard 240 volt power point socket-outlet. This can be fatal. See Public Safety Alert on Unsafe Battery Charging Leads and Small Portable Generators for more information.
Unsafe table lamps and indoor water features (September 2002)
In September 2002, EnergySafety Inspectors found two small furniture import businesses selling unapproved (and potentially dangerous) table lamps and potentially dangerous decorative water fountains.
Table lamps
The components of the table lamps, that is, the plug-top, in-line switch, flexible supply cord and lamp holder (all prescribed items) were not 'approved'. The lamp holder of one table lamp was also potentially unsafe due to readily accessible 'LIVE' parts.
Water fountain
The decorative water fountain electrical components were exposed to the water and 'LIVE' parts were readily accessible to direct contact, making the appliance potentially dangerous.
The retailers of these unapproved and dangerous products now face the possibility of prosecution for breaches of the Electricity Act 1945, resulting in fines of up to $20,000 for each offence.
Retailers who wish to import and sell such items must ensure they are safe and meet relevant Australian safety standards. This can be achieved by obtaining a copy of the Australian approval documentation from the manufacturer/supplier or arranging for the article to be approved in Australia.