MACKAY-based WH Frier Building Contractors has been fined $85,000 for allowing two unqualified workers to undertake electrical work at 195 houses.
WH Frier had been engaged by BMA to undertake work on 400 houses owned by the mining company.
According to the Electrical Safety Office, the two unlicensed men worked alone on 195 of the properties, including 22 sites which had dangerous electrical work. One of the men was unlicensed, while the other was only licensed to work under supervision.
The Electrical Safety Office inspected the properties and gave WH Frier notice in October 2008 to rectify the defects, but the company only finished one site within the time required.
The court heard unqualified electrical work creates liabilities and insurance risks. As a result of the unlicensed work, BMA lost up to $150,000.
The court fined WH Frier after finding it had breached section 12 of the Electrical Safety Act 2002.