An arc flash is a dangerous release of electrical energy through the air – like an electrical explosion – which can cause severe injury or even death.
In 2016, an electrical fault occurred at one of Unitywater’s pump stations and subsequent investigations found there was potential for an arc flash to occur at the site. At the time, the risk of arc flash was not fully captured and this prompted the program to make sites safer for team members.
Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said the program had established new industry standards for utility safety practices, and reduced workplace risks while improving system reliability.
“Setting high standards for electrical safety is an important control to keep our people safe in areas of the water and wastewater network that rely on electricity,” Mr Basterfield said.
“Qualified and trained electricians work on our electrical assets but risk can still exist, so our team developed effective controls such as a ‘working around switchboards’ matrix to guide team members through their jobs safely.
“This is our largest capital-driven safety program and has ensured a proactive approach to preventing arc flash to significantly improve the safety of our people who interact with switchboards.”
Mr Basterfield said the program works reduced the risk of arc flash at 65 high-risk switchboards across Unitywater’s network.
“These works included liaising with Energex to change their fuses to Unitywater switchboards, installation of upstream air circuit breakers (ACB), remote switching of circuit breakers via a Local Control Panel or SCADA controls and switchboard renewals,” he said.
“Some high-risk switchboards were located at critical sites like wastewater treatment plants, which we normally don’t take offline, but these mitigation works were essential, so the team minimised service disruption at these sites while the work was safely completed.”
Mr Basterfield said the program had led to the development of comprehensive arc flash training modules for electrical and non-electrical tradespeople, field crews, managers, and other team members who want to better understand the basics of arc flash safety.
“Other organisations in South East Queensland are only just beginning the assessment phase of arc flash risk on their assets and we’re happy to share our learnings with them,” he said.
The program was named a national finalist in the 2025 Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) Project Management Achievement Awards (PMAAs).
