Winter 2008 issue
Welcome to the third edition of the Electrical Safety Outlook newsletter
Electrical Safety Outlook is a publication produced for electrical licence holders and others involved in the industry. It provides news and practical information about our industry on a range of topics.
Electrical Safety Outlook is published four times a year, and can be delivered directed to your email address.
We welcome your comments and input.
Peter Lamont
Executive Director
Electrical Safety Office
In this issue
Electrical contractor self assessment audit package
A new self paced audit package is available for electrical contractors.
Interested in switching careers?
You may have what it takes to be an electrical inspector. Check out the recruitment package for careers with the Electrical Safety Office.
Cane safety a winner for harvesting company
With the 2008 Queensland Work Safe Awards almost upon us, let's look at last years winner of category five, 'Best solution to an identified electrical issue.'
New Queensland electrical safety plan
The Electrical Safety Board is currently developing a new five year plan to improve electrical safety in Queensland.
New rules for equipotential bonding
The 2007 Wiring Rules which came into force on 1 June 2008 make equipotential bonding a requirement for any conductive reinforcing within a concrete floor or wall forming part of a shower or bathroom.
New rural safety booklet released
The Electrical Safety Office released a new rural safety publication at Farm Fest in Toowoomba in early June to raise awareness of electrical safety issues in the industry.
Renewing your licence
June and July are the peak times for electrical contractor licence renewals. To minimise delay in processing your renewal, carefully read the guidelines provided with your renewal form and complete your licence renewal application correctly.
Have your electrical licence details changed?
If they have, you can update your electrical licence details online at the Electrical Safety Office website.
Heater exhaust fan and light combination danger
Several brands of bathroom heater exhaust fan and light combinations (typically called bathroom 3-in-1 units, or 2-in-1 units if it has no fan) have been the subject of an electrical safety recall.
Wiring protection
The 2007 edition of the Wiring Rules has changed the requirements for wiring installed near building surfaces.
Wiring rules update
The Electrical Safety Office advises electrical contractors not to use AS/NZS 3018 Electrical installations – Domestic installations until it has been updated to fully align with the 2007 edition of the Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2007).
When an inspector calls ...
What does an electrical inspector do and what powers do they have? An electrical inspector’s job is to enforce the Electrical Safety Act 2002 and ensure that workers, employers and the general public comply with electrical safety legislation.
Review of electrical trade licensing
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG), a peak intergovernmental forum has targeted trade licensing and product safety for regulatory reform.
Audit update
Audits were carried out on 42 rural properties from April to June this year in the wake of a spate of rural fatalities.
Unlicensed electrical work on a false licence scores fine
A man who altered another person’s electrical worker’s licence to gain work was recently fined $2500 for working without a licence and $500 for misrepresenting his qualifications to his former employer.
Contractor fined for obstructing Electrical Safety Office investigator
A licensed electrical contractor from Tanah Merah was fined $1200 recently after an Electrical Safety Office (ESO) inspector was obstructed from investigating wiring defects in a Cornubia home.
Recalls
Information on electrical product recalls.
Fatalities update
In June 2008, a construction worker died when the boom of the concrete pump he was using contacted high voltage powerlines.