Child injured by unsecured cooker

3 June 2014

ESV is reminding gasfitters and electricians to ensure freestanding cookers are stable and well-secured following a recent accident in which a young child received serious burns. The girl was burnt by hot oil when she stood on an open oven door and the cooker tilted forward, tipping the contents of the stove top over her. An inspection of the installation revealed the freestanding cooker had not been fixed in place with anti-tilt brackets, as specified by the manufacturer. ESV is urging all gasfitters and electricians to ensure that all freestanding cookers are well-secured at installation and also to check their stability when servicing.

Gas

Freestanding gas cooking appliances, including dual fuel appliances (gas hob with electric oven), must be installed and comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 5601.1:2013 Part 1: General installations.

6.10.1.11 Stabilization of a freestanding cooking appliance states:

• The method recommended in the manufacturer's instructions to prevent the tilting of a freestanding cooking appliance, when in the installed position, shall be used.

Electrical

Freestanding electric cooking appliances, which are hard-wired to an electrical supply, must be installed and comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3000:2007 Wiring Rules (Incorporating Amendment Nos 1 and 2).

1.7.1 Essential requirement

Electrical equipment, forming part of an electrical installation, shall be selected and installed to:

• operate in a safe and reliable manner in the course of normal operating conditions; and
• not cause a danger from electric shock, fire, high temperature or physical injury in the event of reasonably expected conditions of abnormal operation, overload, fault or external influences that may apply in the electrical installation; and
• be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Gasfitters and electricians must ensure that installations comply with their respective Standards. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for stabilisation methods. For further information phone ESV on 1800 652 563.