Electrical apprentice Adam Pasek died at work in March 2021 after his father, the director of Nordic Elevators Pty Ltd and Nordic Elevator Services Pty Ltd, allowed him to perform electrical work unsupervised and alone.
Both companies were convicted and fined a total of $930,000 by WorkSafe Victoria and $50,000 by Energy Safe Victoria. The companies had initially been charged with workplace manslaughter with potential $33 million fines and imprisonment for up to 5 years, before pleading guilty to less serious offences under negotiations that saw the manslaughter proceedings withdrawn.
On the day of the incident the 21-year-old apprentice electrician attended a service call to a faulty apartment building car lift in West Melbourne. Text messages show that Mr Pasek made attempts to source a spare part and repair the lift on his own. The work was electrical installation work that was required to be carried out by a person holding an A class Electricians Licence, or an apprentice under the supervision of such a trades person. After not returned home at the usual time or responding to messages, his father, the director of both companies, went to the site where his son’s body was found on top of the car lift.
Energy Safe Compliance Officers who attended the scene found the electrical equipment had not been isolated and the apprentice was carrying out installation work on energised equipment without supervision.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin said the incident was a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of failing to protect young workers.
“Apprentices depend on their employers to set them up for the future – not only with on-the-job training, but also by keeping them safe from hazards they are likely to encounter in their role,” Mr Jenkin said. “This young man was completely let down and could still be alive had these companies fulfilled their basic legal obligations,” he said.
WorkSafe’s investigation revealed that the companies had been sending the apprentice to after-hours call outs on his own and he had been performing unsupervised work reserved for licenced electricians for at least a year. Two other workers at Nordic Elevator Services were also often sent out to perform electrical work despite not being licenced electricians.
Energy Safe CEO Leanne Hughson said, “This incident is tragic reminder that apprentices are the most vulnerable of all electrical workers and there is no excuse for leaving them unsupervised”.
Energy Safe Victoria has introduced updated apprentice supervision requirements that come into effect on 1 September 2025, including changes to supervision levels and ratios - any electrician, company or contractor that breaches these rules can face penalties.
More information on apprentice electrician supervision requirements and industry responsibilities is available at Requirements for the effective supervision of apprentice electricians.
Read more: $930,000 in fines after young apprentice electrocuted | WorkSafe Victoria
