June 2004

THINK ABOUT IT!A message from the Electricity Safety Regulator

Hello everyone

I must say that I’m a little surprisedthat more people didn’t take meup on my offer to provide sometraining on the testing of electricalinstallations.

Does this mean my mail was wrong andthe majority of electrical workers doknow how to test properly? I hope so.I’ll look forward to a decrease in theinstance of testing faults in the future.In any case, the offer remains open, and

you can still organise training if youhaven’t already had the chance.

Contact Electrical Safety on8924 7477.

In this issue, I ask you to think aboutyour personal practices in relation towork involving a danger of accidentaldirect contact with exposed liveconductors or exposed live parts ofelectrical equipment.

Do you make the decision too easily tocontinue working without weighing upthe possible consequences? Do you letyourself be put at unnecessary risk by apushy boss or customer? The results ofturning it off for a short while are usuallynowhere near as calamitous as theywould have you believe. And nothing canbe as disastrous as you being killed. Thinkabout it. If you do come into contactwith a live part, the choice between justgetting another shock and being

electrocuted is not yours to make. Fate willmake it for you. And it’s too late then tochange your ways.

If you must work in such circumstances,make sure you minimise the risks and havesomeone standing by. Get a copy of theElectricity Reform (Safety and Technical)Regulations from your employer (he shouldhave one available) and take a look at Part4, particularly clauses 9, 10 and 11. Theseprovisions are put in place for YOURprotection. They give you the RIGHT tothis level of protection. Avail yourself ofit. I’m sure your family will appreciateit.

Darrol SachsManager, Electrical Safety

Inside:An investment in the industry’s future 3

Disciplinary Actions 4 & 5

Amendments to Australian Standards 5

News from the Centre 6

Notes from Inside 7

Looking at Certificates of Compliance 8

Page 2 The Conduit - June 2004

RESTRICTEDELECTRICALLICENCESIn 2003 a new RestrictedElectrical Licence (REL)training package, which ismore reflective of industryneeds, was produced andadopted nationally. The newpackage replaces the oldNational Restricted ElectricalLicence (NREL) package.

The REL package contains sevenunits of competency, and in theNorthern Territory there are ninecategories of licence available.

Applications for new NRELlicences ceased to be approved on31 December 2003 and theElectrical Workers andContractors Licensing Board (theBoard) adopted the new RELtraining package on 25 February2004. All existing and new licencesare now referred to as ‘RestrictedElectrical Licences’.

The new training package makesavailable training in the area ofHigh Voltage Earth MovingEquipment, Hazardous Areas, andHigh Voltage flexible cables foreligible persons employed in thosefields.

Conversion of ExistingLicencesExisting NREL licences, wherepossible, will be progressivelyconverted to equivalent newlicences to form a single RELsystem. Where existing licencescannot be directly convertedacross to a new category, theholder will be offered the optionof completing additional trainingor rescinding the licence. It isenvisaged this will occur only in avery few cases.

From the Chief Electrical Safety OfficerAs electricians we have in our working lives all either experienced ormet someone who has experienced an electric shock. In the past manyof us considered it as part of the job. I remember some years ago teachingan apprentice who seriously and foolishly believed electric shocks weregood as the shock could help relieve the pain of arthritis! When I askedhim where he got his medical information from I was advised it wasfrom his colleagues at work (I suppose in a strange kind of way if youwere electrocuted and as such shuffled off this mortal coil any problemsyou had with arthritis would cease).

In actual fact receiving an electric shock is not part of the job. Nor is connecting anelectrician or apprentice to mains supply voltages a legitimate medical procedure.It’s very dangerous and plain stupid not to treat electricity with due respect.

In recent times the Electrical Safety Unit has investigated significant electric shockreports that could, on reflection been easily avoided had the victims (electricalworkers) paid due regard to electrical hazards and the risk at which they wereplacing themselves. It appears, for some working with energised installations theirexpert trade knowledge is inversely proportional to their ability to judge a safemethod of work.

Any inconvenience that is believed a client might ‘suffer’ by having a circuit de-energised to allow safe work is nothing compared to the tragedy (and inconvenience)and ongoing consequences everyone will experience should an electrical workeror even a client end up seriously injured or worse.

I encourage everyone to re-evaluate their attitudes towards electric shock andworking energised by reviewing Regulations 8 to 11 of the Electricity Reform (Safetyand Technical) Regulations and AS/NZS 4836:2001. Use of work methods that conformto the requirements of the Regulations and the Standard will if correctly appliedremove the worker from the risk of electric shock.

PS: If you suffer from arthritis seek professional medical advice. It is exceedinglyunlikely (though not impossible) that the electrician working beside you is also aqualified Physician.

Tim HallenChief Electrical Safety Office

(Tel: 08 8924 7471)

The Conduit - June 2004 Page 3

AN INVESTMENT IN THE INDUSTRY’S FUTUREAre you having troublefinding good quality staff? Dothe potential staff youinterview have no knowledgeof what you require? Haveyou noticed that the age ofpotential staff is gettingolder? Do you find yourselfcontinually asking where allthe tradesmen have gone?

I f you can relate to thesequestions or have experiencedthese problems first hand, thenthe next question you should askis this. When was the last timeI trained an apprentice?

If you have employed at least oneapprentice in the last two years,then at least you are trying to address the problem. Ifyou haven’t employed an apprentice in at least the lasttwo years, then one would hope that you haven’t askedwhere all the tradesmen are. It is a bit like not voting atan election, then daring to complain about decisions thatare made by those who are elected. Similarly, it neverceases to amaze me to hear about the lack of availablelabour from the very people who can’t be bothered totrain an apprentice

All of us have been through some form of training inour lives. Without it we wouldn’t be where we are today.Some of us have been lucky enough to have done a tradeand have progressed from there. A lot of people wouldnot be where they are today without having a tradebackground. With Australia’s workforce rapidly ageing,apprentice and trade training is the only logical solution.

While some people say that training costs money, mostprogressive thinking employers understand that it is aninvestment in the future. The cost to your business andto the industry as a whole is enormous when the trendto train becomes negative, as it did in the late ‘80s andearly ‘90s. Industry as a whole is now seeing the resultsof that. The government incentives to take on anapprentice, especially in the traditional trade area ofElectrotech, are quite substantial. If you don’t believeyou have the continuity of work to take an apprenticeon in your own right, then utilising an apprentice througha group scheme is a viable alternative.

One of the most important issues to consider whentaking on an apprentice is the selection criteria you use.

Are you fully aware of the schoolqualifications needed these daysfor that person to cope at tradeschool? Have you correct lyidentified the core competenciesyou want your qual i f iedtradesman to have and how youare going to provide thenecessar y tra in ing for theapprentice to get there? Whatinterview and selection criteriado you use to ensure that theappl icant is capable , bothphysically and academically, ofbecoming an apprentice in theElectrotechnology field?

While all that may seem too hard— or you might say you don’t

even know where to look for that sort of information— help is available. Two of the main sources ofinformation can be found at www.ee0oz.com.au andwww.itskillshub.com.au. The EE-OZ web site actually hasan aptitude test on it specifically designed for theelectrical industry. It helps both the employer andpotential employee get an idea of the level of maths andscience you need to get a career in the Industry.

When people say to me that apprentices are notproductive or they are not suited to the job, I generallyask what selection process was used to employ them. Ifit is not an exhaustive, almost clinical, process, thengenerally the problem is not with the apprentice. If youdo not have a mentoring program in place and don’toffer quality training, your apprentice will struggle. Havingemployed a number of apprentices and by having a veryclear selection process, I did not have one apprenticecomplete his time who was not an asset to the industry.While some apprentices will move on after their training,many become an asset and an integral part of yourbusiness. Many come back to your business down thetrack, and at least you know what type of training theyhave had.

So before you lament the lack of tradesmen, make sureyou are doing your bit to train the next generation sothat when you are too old to competently carry out thework, there will be somebody there to keep theelectricity on.

Peter DonovanTrade Contractors Manager

Territory Construction Association

Page 4 The Conduit - June 2004

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE BOARDComplaintlodged Complaint Outcome

4/5/03 Electrician allegedly contracting without holding a Electrician found not to be contracting.contractor’s licence

17/6/03 Contractor allegedly employed unlicensed electrical worker. Employee only held interstate licence,contractor was required to meet with theBoard to explain and was required toupdate its employment procedures.

17/6/03 Interstate company contracting in NT without holding Company received a warning and detailsan NT contractors licence. were referred to the licensing jurisdiction

in contractor’s state of origin.

17/6/03 Interstate electrical worker’s licence holder working in the Worker received a warning and adviceNT without NT licence. regarding licence requirements.

17/6/03 Interstate electrical worker’s licence holder working in NT Worker received a warning andwithout NT licence. information regarding licence

requirements.

15/7/03 Refrigeration trades person allegedly carried out electrical Worker received warning and advicework whilst NREL expired. regarding licence requirements.

15/7/03 Shop owner removed counter and cut power cables in Shop owner notified of licencedoing so. Cables were left on the floor isolated by switched requirements and informed of penaltiesoff circuit breaker. related to unlicensed work.

6/8/03 Supply Authority linesman replaced a burnt out switchboard Fined $100 (maximum allowable) andin a meter box with a 60 amp overhead pole mount type issued a warningservice fuse to supply several power circuits. .

19.8.03 Sole trading electrical contractor carried out extensive Worker’s licence suspended for 3 monthsnon-compliant work. in which time a wiring rules exam must be

completed. Failure to comply will result inautomatic cancellation of licence.Contractor’s licence already lapsed, anyfuture application requires furtherassessment.

19/8/03 Unlicensed person allegedly carried out non-compliant Unlicensed worker issued warning andwork on a bore pump installation. notified of licence requirements.

26/8/03 Electrical worker alleged to have carried out non-compliant Worker’s licence category varied from Awork resulting in a reversed polarity and no MEN connection. to B Grade. Required to complete re-

training within 12 months to regain AGrade. Failure = review of licence withview to suspension or cancellation.

26/8/03 Alleged inadequate supervision by an Electrical Contractor Still in progress.of a worker resulting in non-compliant work.

The Conduit - June 2004 Page 5

Amendments to AustralianStandardsThe ability of the business to produce safe compliantelectrical work is fully reliant on the business’s ability toreference and apply in full the requirements outlined inAustralian Standards and Rules and their amendments.

Maintaining amendments to Australian Standards continues to bea problem for many businesses. A number of options are availableto assist in ensuring amendments are maintained.

1. Standards Watch on the InternetWhat is Standards Watch?

Standards Watch is a free email based notification service thatprovides users with a customised news service. Users are able tonominate:

• Individual Standards (including Australian, IEC and ISOStandards),

• Subject areas,

• Technical committees, and

• Categories of technical committee.

They will then be advised by a weekly email of any changes to anyStandards in those areas of interest they have nominated.

Businesses with Internet access can find more information onStandards Watch at http://www.standards.com.au

Amendments to Australian Standards are free to download fromthe Australian Standards web site.

2. Territory Construction Association (TCA).The TCA is located at 1450 Winnellie Rd Winnellie, and is thedesignated Sales Agency for Standards Australia in the NorthernTerritory. Amendments are available for purchase from the TCAwhen they become available.

In order to utilise this service, the business must contact the TCAperiodically to determine if new amendments have been released.Phone: (08) 8922 9666. Fax: (08) 8922 9600. Email:info@tcant.com.au

From Robin Smith

Why do I need to hold a current NT licence?

A recent case that came before the Board has highlighted aproblem regarding employment of trades persons holdinginterstate or expired licences. To avoid the possibility ofprosecution, it is imperative that currency and correctcategory of licence is ascertained prior to allowing a newemployee to carry out electrical work. Legislation requiresElectrical Contractors to maintain a register of all electricalworkers, their address, licence details and dates ofemployment. If these details were recorded prior to startingwork, the problem would be eliminated. The registrationapplies to all categories of licence including apprentices.

When should apprentices apply for a licence?

Apprentices must apply for a licence immediately after theirapprenticeship is completed or else they are workingunlicensed, which is an offence under the Act. Anapprenticeship is completed as soon as the Notice ofCompletion is signed by the New Apprenticeship Centre.Apprentices should lodge an application as soon as theyreceive their Notice of Completion. To do this they shouldhave an application form filled in complete with all requiredattachments ready for lodgement as soon as the Notice ofCompletion is received. Application forms are available fromany Territory Business Centre or by contacting the Board’soffice on 89815435.

Why should I notify a change of address?

Approximately 20 to 30 percent of Board mailouts includingrenewal notices are returned to sender due to the recipientchanging address and not notifying the Board. It is not arequirement that the Board send renewal notices. However,notices are sent as a courtesy, and any benefit is negated ifthe notice is not received. Apart from it being a requirementunder legislation to notify of a change of address, it can bevery inconvenient when it is found that your licence hasexpired.

Skills Maintenance – an option

A point that seems to be overlooked regarding renewal ofa licence is whether or not the licence is currently required.If the licence is not being used and is not likely to be requiredin the foreseeable future, then maybe it would be appropriateto let it lapse until it is needed again. To apply for the licenceto be re-issued after a lapse of more than 12 months wouldrequire the completion of a wiring rules exam, and less than12 months would require the standard skills maintenancerequirement to be met.

A skills maintenance information sheet is available from theBoard’s office.

Page 6 The Conduit - June 2004

NEWS FROM THE CENTRESince the last edition of The Conduitwe have had a new Electrical SafetyOfficer start with us at ElectricalSafety in Alice Springs. Gary Andrewscommenced work with theDepartment in November, and thefollowing week he accompanied meon a visit to Tennant Creek. This was agood opportunity for him to meetwith the contractors in Tennant andto see how we conduct desktop auditsand compliance inspections. Gary isenjoying the challenge and has learnedquite a lot in the four months with us.I know you will all join with me inmaking Gary welcome in his role asElectrical Safety Officer.

We are still busy with the audit program,and the changes to the package used tomeasure contractors’ compliance havebeen well accepted by most in the industry.I have had comments from somecontractors stating that it is a goodlearning tool, especially in regard to therequirements as detailed in the legislation.

The Electrical Workers and ContractorsLicensing Board held its meeting onWednesday 7 April in Alice Springs.Following the meeting the Boardconducted an open forum for all electricalworkers and electrical contractors todiscuss any issues they had. Letters weresent out to all electrical workers andcontractors with details of the forum.

As some contractors perform most oftheir work in rural areas. we find from timeto time there is a need to travel to theseareas to conduct compliance inspections.So even if all of your work is out bush, itdoesn’t mean we won’t be inspecting thatwork. You would be amazed where wecould pop up. This is another instancewhere Electrical Safety Territory-wide ismaintaining the policy of servicing theregions through regular contact with theelectrical contractors and where possiblevisiting the areas.

To the contractors who have participatedin an audit, I would like to thank you foryour assistance. I’m sure you didn’t findthe process too demanding. To those whohaven’t been audited yet, I would like tooffer the following advice. Once a

My career in the electrical industrystarted right here in Alice Springsin 1971. HMW Pty Ltd was a bigcompany specialising in electricaland mechanical contracting, and itwas here that I served myapprenticeship.

There was a construction boom in AliceSprings during the 1970s, and a lot of mytime was spent on building sites. As I drivearound the Alice today, I see plenty ofbuildings from that era, many of whichhave been extended or altered now. Ihave even seen some of themdemolished to make way for newdevelopments.

Under the guidance of Don Hauth, Imade it through my apprenticeship.Things were different then. Weapprentices attended trade school forhalf a day per week. Then we had toattend one night per week, in our owntime, for practical experience in themachine shop. As unbelievable as it

contractor has been contacted to beaudited, I encourage you to complete thepackage or arrange for a desktop auditbefore the date given, as it is then off yourhands and makes the whole process runsmoothly and efficiently. Therecommendations we give in our reportwill also help your business becomecompliant with the legislation and will inturn ensure safety to the NorthernTerritory community.

Please feel free to contact either Gary orme if you have concerns with the auditprocess or any issues relating to theelectrical industry in general. Our office islocated at the Department of

Infrastructure, Planning and Environment,level 1. Alice Plaza, Todd Mall.

Richard DrummondSenior Electrical Safety Officer

Alice Springs (Tel: 08 8951 9246)

sounds, as a first year apprentice I waspaid 60 cents per hour!

From the late seventies, through theeighties and into the early nineties, Iworked mainly in the contracting industryhere in Alice Springs and Adelaide.

In 1993 I returned to Alice to work atJDFPG. This was a new experience, havingto learn to work under America’s NEC,rather than our AS/NZS 3000. Differentvoltages, different colour codes, differentmaterials, a different way of doing things– but at the end of the day, electricity iselectricity.

After ten years I left JDFPG and, after anoverseas holiday, started work with theElectrical Safety Unit here in the Alice.

So, while I may be new in this role, I amnot new to the electrical industry. I havestood in the shoes of the contractor formany years, and I believe this will assistme to carry out my new duties withfairness and understanding.

After spending 10 years at JDFPG,working back in the township has givenme the opportunity to become re-acquainted with some of Alice Springs’long term electricians I have known foryears, and to meet some of the newerplayers in this game.

On a personal level, I love motorcycles,anything that flies, and international travel.

See you around the traps.

Gary Andrews

The Conduit - June 2004 Page 7

Notes from Inside

Surviving the AuditThe second cycle of auditing all NTelectrical contracting activitiescommenced towards the end of2003 and will continue throughout2004. Don’t forget that you cancontact Electrical Safety andarrange to have the audit done ata time that suits your business. Ifyou would like to have the auditdone sooner rather than later, orperhaps arrange to have it doneduring a specific month, give me acall.

In this edition of Conduit, I want to drawyour attention to a number of AuditBulletins that Electrical Safety hasproduced that may assist an ElectricalContractor in achieving full regulatorycompliance.

Please note that the suggested methodslisted in the Bulletins are not exhaustive.You may find alternative methods andshorter timeframes more acceptable toyour business. Larger companies withmany employees may require moreformal processes that are detailed inwriting. Discuss alternatives withElectrical Safety to assist in facilitatingyour understanding of regulatorycompliance.

Audit Bulletins now available:

Test InstrumentsObligation – outlined in ElectricityReform (Safety and Technical)Regulations. Regulation 16.

Legislation AwarenessObligation – Regulated workingenvironment.

Reporting Electrical AccidentsObligation – outlined in ElectricityReform Act Section 71 and ER(S&T)RRegulation 37.

Register of EmployeesObligation – outlined in ElectricalWorkers and Contractors Act, Section50B.

Help is at handAudit Bulletins may be obtained fromElectrical Safety Unit Office or web site,which also provides links to otherrelevant areas of Electrical Safety. (http://www. i pe . n t . gov. au /wha twedo /electricalsafety/index.html).

Alternatively, Electrical Safety Officerswill be pleased to answer any electricalcompliance questions you may have.

Electrical Safety welcomes feedback:http://www.ipe.nt.gov.au/feedback/index.html

Valda IoaneElectrical Safety Project Officer

(Tel: 08 8924 7478)

UPGRADE FROMELECTRICAL FITTER

TO ELECTRICALMECHANIC

There is some misunderstanding inregard to licensing and supervisionrequirements when an electricalfitter is gaining experience toupgrade to an electrical mechanic.The requirements are:

• The fitter must lodge anapplication form prior tocommencing work experience.

• The Board will assess theapplication.

• If it is in order, a permit (licence)will be issued to allow the fitterto undertake mechanics work.

• The fitter will be required to gain12 months experience workingunder the supervision of anelectrical mechanic.

• When the experience has beengained, the applicant lodgesevidence of the experience onpre-formatted statutorydeclaration forms provided by theBoard.

• The applicant is then required tosit an exam based on the currentwiring rules.

• When all the above has beensuccessfully completed, a licenceis issued.

It is imperative that the above stepsare followed, as gaining experiencewithout a permit and unsupervisedis, in effect, working unlicensed. Theemployer would also be in breachof the Act for employing anunlicensed worker.

Page 8 The Conduit - June 2004

LATE MAIL FROM PAT NOLAN

ELECTRICAL SAFETY UNITDARWIN1st Floor, Energy House18-20 Cavenagh StreetGPO Box 1680DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8924 7477Facsimile: 08 8924 7115

ALICE SPRINGSLevel 1, Alice PlazaTodd Mall, Alice SpringsPO Box 2130ALICE SPRINGS NT 0870Telephone: 08 8951 9246Facsimile: 08 8951 9222

ELECTRICAL WORKERS ANDCONTRACTORS LICENSING BOARDGround Floor, Cavenagh House38 Cavenagh StreetGPO Box 1680DARWIN NT 0801Telephone: 08 8981 5435Facsimile: 08 8999 8967

Looking at Certificates of Compliance

New Staff at Electrical SafetyThis year we have had more staffing changes in ElectricalSafety. We welcomed Gary Andrews as an Electrical SafetyOfficer who joined Richard in Alice Springs (see Gary in‘From the Centre’ on page 6.)

We also welcomed Jennifer Hadfield (pictured below) asAdministration Officer at Energy House supporting the Auditprogram, general statistical collection, and also at CavenaghHouse supporting Electrical Licensing.

Pat NolanSenior Electrical Safety Officer

(Tel: 08 8924 7476)

Why don’t we have a practical look at the Certificate ofCompliance?

The Electricity Reform Act and the Electricity Reform (Safety and Technical)Regulations stipulate the requirement for a Certificate of Compliance.

Now what does all that really mean?

The legislation is placing the responsibility on the contractor to carryout all the mandatory tests and complete the Certificate of Compliancebefore the electrical installation work is energised.

A copy must be supplied to the owner/operator of the electricalinstallation within 30 days and a copy supplied to the infrastructureoperator if required, i.e. an increase in loading, metering or a new serviceis required (refer Infrastructure operators’ requirements). It is also arequirement of the Act that your Certificates of Compliance booksmust be kept for 5 years.

Right, we know all that. But what do we put on the Certificate ofCompliance as far as the work that has been carried out and tested isconcerned?

It’s the work that you carried out and tested. You do not want to becaught out later if other work is carried out and the Certificate ofCompliance infers you did it.

The infrastructure operator or a person making connection to atransmission or distribution network may also be caught out if itenergises an installation with a Certificate of Compliance that does notreflect exactly what it is energising.

Remember that a Power and Water Corporation NIW is not aCertificate of Compliance for purposes of the Electricity Reform Act.