Army recruits suffer electric shocks, defence department charged
The Department of Defence has been charged with breaching federal work health and safety laws after two army recruits suffered severe electric shocks during a training exercise in regional Victoria.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has filed two charges in the Melbourne Magistrates Court following an investigation by Comcare.
It is alleged the department failed in its duties under the federal Work Health and Safety Act.
The incident happened at the Puckapunyal training area, near Seymour in central Victoria, during a training exercise on the night of July 4 in 2016.
Comcare said the recruits, who were being trained to operate communications systems, were moving a portable radio antenna into a vertical position when it came into contact with overhead high voltage power lines.
A 20-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man suffered burns from the shock.
One lost consciousness.
Comcare said the pair were flown to a Melbourne hospital and both made full recoveries.
The charges relate to risk management and hazard identification.
Each charge carries a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.
The matter is listed for a mention in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 6.