Section 59
Serious accidents to be reported and investigated
(1)
When any accident causing or resulting in loss of life or hurt to any person or serious damage to property has occurred in connection with any electrical or supply installation, or any other installation, the owner of the premises concerned and the person granted a licence under Part 5 for the installation shall -
(a)
report the accident to the Authority by the quickest means available; and
(b)
subsequently with the least possible delay, report in writing to the Authority the facts of the matter so far as the facts are known.
(2)
Any authorised officer shall as soon as practicable after receipt of the first report -
(a)
visit the place where the accident occurred;
(b)
make a preliminary investigation of the circumstances;
(c)
record in writing his findings upon such investigation;
(d)
forward his report to the Authority; and
(e)
if there has been any loss of life or there is reason to believe that any person has been seriously injured, send a copy of his findings to the Public Prosecutor.
(3)
In the event of loss of life or grievous hurt to any person due to any accident arising from the use or operation of or caused by any electrical or supply installation or other installation, no alteration or addition shall, without the approval of the Authority, be made to any part of the installation which may have contributed towards the cause of the accident or to the site of the accident until investigations have been completed.
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(4)
Nothing in subsection (3) shall operate to interfere with rescue work or other work necessary for the general safety of life or property.
(5)
If upon a preliminary investigation under subsection (2)(b) -
(a)
it appears to the Authority that there is reason to believe that the accident was due to any failure to comply with the provisions of this Act or due to neglect to obey any lawful order given by the
Authority; or
(b)
the authorised officer investigating the accident is satisfied that the accident might have been prevented if proper precautions had been taken and observed in the operation or working of the electrical or supply installation or other installation, the Authority shall hold an inquiry into the nature and cause of the accident with the assistance. if considered necessary by the Authority. of one or more persons of electrical or other special skill or experience to be nominated by the Authority as assessors.
(6)
At the conclusion of the inquiry held under subsection (5), a copy of the findings taken at the inquiry together with the opinion of the Authority shall be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor.
(7)
Any person who, without lawful excuse, contravenes subsection ( 1 ) or (3) is guilty of an offence.
Powers of arrest 60.
( 1 ) Any police officer or any person authorised in writing by the
Authority generally or in any particular case may arrest any person committing within his view or who he has reason to believe has committed any offence punishable under this Act if -
(a)
the name and address of the person are unknown to him;
(b)
the person declines to give his name and address; or
(c)
there is reason to doubt the accuracy of the name and address given.
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(2)
A person arrested under this section, unless his name and address are correctly ascertained, shall within 48 hours of the arrest be brought before a Magistrate or be released upon signing a bond with or without surety to appear before a Magistrate.
(3)
The person brought before a Magistrate under subsection (2)
may -
(a)
be ordered to be detained until he can be tried; or
(b)
if required by the Magistrate, be released upon signing a bond, with or without surety, to appear before a Court of a Magistrate.