Use of 240 Volt submersible pumps for carnival side show concessions

The purpose of this Safety Alert is to highlight a dangerous practice of using 240 Volt submersible pumps for carnival side show concessions, Lasso the Duck, and Duck Pond being two examples.

Background

240 Volt pond pumps are sealed devices rated IPX8 or higher, the pumps are intended for ponds or aquariums where the body of water is not routinely accessed by human beings, this is due to the electric shock risk associated with current leakage from such a device into the body of water which may not be of a magnitude high enough to cause an Residual Current Device (Safety Switch) to operate, but can still cause an electric shock severe enough to endanger the life of a child, or an adult with cardiac issues.

This follows a recent fatal electrocution in Queensland where a Pump Factory Pty Ltd — 2" Deep Diver Submersible Bore Pumpwas found to be damaged, resulting in the fatal shock.

Examination of show concessions in Darwin and Alice Springs identified 240 Volt pond pumps being used contrary to the manufacturer’s recommendations, one pump in Alice Springs was removed from service and tagged out due to observed damage to the supply cord, similar to the Queensland incident.

Contributing factors

  • Use of pumps outside of their intended purpose.
  • Potential damage to pump and supply cord presenting an electric shock risk.

Action required

  • Use only pumps approved for human interaction, these are a 12 volt low voltage pump.
  • Use an air blower pump instead to agitate the water.
  • Use an RCD protected 240 volt pump where the pump is situated outside of the water tank.

Further information

For further information please refer to the following.

Legislation

  • Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act & Regulations
  • Electricity Reform Act & Regulations

Guidance publications

  • Guide to electrical equipment and gas installations at markets, shows and sporting events.
  • Information Bulletin - Test and Tag of electrical equipment.
  • Safe Work Australia - Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace.

Safety Alerts

  • Queensland Government Extraordinary Gazette - ISSN 0155-9370 – 10 May 2017.
  • Product Recall - Pump Factory Pty Ltd — 2" Deep Diver Submersible Bore Pump.

Contact details

Call us on: 1800 019 115

Email us at

For more information on work health and safety, go to NT WorkSafe’s website at

Disclaimer

This Safety Alert contains safety information following inquires made by NT WorkSafe about an incident or unsafe practice. The information contained in this Alert does not necessarily include the outcome of NT WorkSafe’s action with respect to an incident. NT WorkSafe does not warrant the information in this Alert is complete or up-to-date and does not accept any liability for the information in this report or as to its use.

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Safety Alert - Use of 240 volt submersible pumps for carnival side show concessions (v1.0 – 18Jul2017)