Tragedy spurs mates into action for safety
WITNESSING the death of a colleague spurred two Far North electricians to devise a system to ensure no one ever loses their life from an electrical accident again.
North Point Power and Data’s Christian Savvakis and Wayne Goggin have developed software that is gaining a following locally and overseas.
iCompliance is a fully customisable, paperless, cloudbased compliance system.
Users have the ability to perform a risk assessment using a smart phone or tablet before performing a task and automatically have it saved to a cloud service.
A list of templates can be accessed without the internet. When internet connection is available the app will synch with the cloud and upload all pictures and information.
“Basically the driving force of iCompliance is to ensure no one goes through what Wayne has been through and to ensure staff are being compliant,” Mr Savvakis said.
On December 12, 2012 Mr Goggin’s workmate was electrocuted by a non-compliant 240V cable after climbing into a timber truss ceiling space to run low voltage cables for security sensors.
Power could not be isolated because the college did not want to interrupt the running of the school.
“Losing a very close friend and co-worker was a life shattering experience for all involved,” Mr Goggin said.
“Then, having to defend seven charges prosecuted in August 2014 by Queensland Work Health and Safety was an incredibly difficult, emotionally and financially draining experience.
“After hearing the prosecution case, the magistrate dismissed all charges. He made a rare ruling of no case to answer because a proper written risk assessment and proper staff instruction had been done before the job began and no regulations had been broken.”
Mr Savvakis and Mr Goggin believe their product will save lives. “Not only does it assist an electrician to be more risk aware, but it also allows the streamlining of time sheets, material lists, purchase orders and invoicing,” Mr Savvakis said.
“It bring together a unique blend of improving one’s legal safety compliance obligations while providing administrative benefits.
“We have found it has actually improved administrative efficiency by 70 per cent and an overall productivity increase of 80 per cent within our electrical business.
Mr Savvakis said iCompliance was being used as part of the disaster response in Townsville and surrounds.
He said there were also “businesses with hundreds of contractors” who were keen to integrate the versatile app into their safety systems.