An electrician who suffered severe burns while working on a live switchboard in Auckland has led to WorkSafe committing the company to a legally-binding agreement on worker safety.
The worker was significantly burned by an arc flash while working on an energised main switchboard at a commercial site in Māngere in February 2025.
Arc flashes are a sudden, explosive release of energy caused when electricity jumps through the air between conductors. It creates heat up to 20,000C, bright light and pressure similar to a small electrical explosion.
The electrician received third degree burns to his hands, arms, and face requiring multiple surgeries and a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
WorkSafe found Citywide Electrical failed to: Identify and control arc flash risks; provide workers with adequate information and instruction; and ensure appropriate testing equipment was both available and used.
Citywide Electrical’s enforceable undertaking forms a binding commitment to invest in a series of health and safety and community initiatives aimed at preventing similar incidents across the electrical sector.
It included funding industry seminars focused on arc flash risk assessment, testing and correct PPE, delivering an arc flash risk management safety article supported by expert review and writing specialists, financial amends to the victim, support for the Burn Support Group, and funding worker engagement and health and safety improvements.
WorkSafe head of regulatory services Tracey Conlon said the commitment provided a clear pathway to better safety.
"Arc flash risks are well known in the electrical industry. This agreement ensures that the lessons from this incident will drive real meaningful improvements – not only within Citywide Electrical, but across the wider sector."
It was the first pre-charge enforceable undertaking that WorkSafe had accepted since its approach was updated in late 2025.
"Enforceable undertakings are not a way for businesses to avoid accountability," Conlon said. "They must deliver measurable benefits to workers, workplaces, and the wider industry or sector that go beyond what could be achieved through prosecution alone."
Citywide Electrical Limited said it acknowledged the "seriousness of the incident involving one of our employees and the impact this has had on them, their family, and our wider team".
"Our thoughts remain with them, and we are committed to supporting their ongoing recovery."
The company said the safety of its workers was the "highest priority" and that it undertook an immediate review of health and safety practices.
"Our goal is not only to improve safety within our own organisation, but to contribute to safer practices across the electrical industry so that others can learn from this experience."
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