Electron Issue 125
Keeping you up to date with the latest regulatory changes, exam reports, technical issues, consultation results and other issues affecting electrical workers – published 3 May
Presiding Member's update
Kia ora koutou,
In this edition of the Electron, we have an update from the Stepped Licencing project team on progress to date. There is considerable work going on in the background to support the project, so please take time to read the update.
We still have many practitioners appearing before the Board on section 143(f) charges (false or misleading certification, or certification not supplied within the prescribed timeframe). Concise, detailed, and timely certification can be the evidence that might stop a disciplinary matter proceeding to a hearing. If you attach photos and/or copies of plans, this would be extremely helpful. Remember, you cannot withhold certification documents from your clients because of commercial disputes. You have 20 days to provide certification to the person that contracted the work, (Reg 74(E)(2), and 10 days to provide certification to other parties that are entitled to them, (Reg 74(E)(4). Please don’t withhold certification as a payment incentive.
We recently came across a copy of Edition No 1 of Electron, we have attached the issue for you to view, and for some of our senior tradespeople, it is a chance to reminisce.
Electron Issue 1 - February 2002 [PDF, 3.5 MB]
Please stay safe out there and remember to test all Prescribed Electrical Work prior to enlivening.
Russell Keys
Presiding Member
Registrar update
Kia ora
Welcome to another edition of the Electron newsletter for 2024.
It’s hard to believe how quickly this year is going with daylight savings already coming to an end. I hope you’re enjoying the lighter mornings.
In this newsletter, we have an update on the upcoming licensing changes and what you can do to prepare for these changes.
We have also highlighted some recent complaint decisions made by the Board, I encourage you to have a read of these and take note of the learnings from them.
Take care, work safely, and thank you for taking the time to read this edition of the newsletter.
Duncan Connor
Registrar of Licensed Electrical Workers
Featured standard: 60079-14 Hazardous Areas
AS/NZS 60079.14 contains the specific requirements for the design, selection and erection of electrical installations in hazardous areas associated with explosive atmospheres. Where the equipment is required to meet other environmental conditions, for example, protection against ingress of water and resistance to corrosion, additional methods of protection may be necessary. The method used shall not adversely affect the integrity of the enclosure. Adopted with national modifications from IEC 60079-14, Ed. 4.0(2007).
AS/NZS 60079-14 and over 90 other electrical Standards are available for all licensed electrical workers to access from the Board’s portal:
Stepped Licensing Update
The new licensing framework is due to come in to force on 1 September 2024. If you currently complete work in areas which will require an endorsed registration class under the new framework, you will have the opportunity to ‘grandparent’ into the new framework. We will be using the data from the high-risk data base to inform the ‘grandparent’ process. We encourage you to continue inputting any appropriate work into the high-risk data base with as much detail as possible. We will be putting out further details on how this looks in the coming week so keep an eye on the website and your emails.
Recording incorrect information in the Electricity and Gas High-Risk Database
WorkSafe – Energy Safety reminds electrical inspectors about the importance of ensuring that information they record in the Electricity and Gas High-Risk Database (EGHRD) is correct.
Read more about recording incorrect information on the EGHRD
Home detention for tradesman’s death
WorkSafe – Energy Safety has successfully prosecuted an electrical worker, Stephen Graham Burton, under s163C of the Electricity Act 1992 for failing to test prescribed electrical work he had undertaken that ultimately resulted in a fatality.
Prosecution – EWRB v Super Cell Limited
On 26 March 2024, Super Cell Limited was sentenced on one charge of knowingly permitted a person to do unauthorised prescribed electrical work.
Disciplinary hearings – April 2024
In this month’s disciplinary articles, there are several cases where electrical workers carried out prescribed electrical work in a negligent manner.