- ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROJECT (ESP) RELEASES CHARTER
- AUTOMATIC MUTUAL RECOGNITION PUSHED OUT TO 1 JULY 2021
- NSW SKILLS LIST – INVITATION TO APPLY TO ADD A QUALIFICATION
- SMEs NEEDED FOR ELECTROTECHNOLOGY TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES (TACs)
- VALIDATION OF ESI TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION AND RAIL TRAINING PACKAGE
- UEP ESI GENERATION TRAINING PACKAGE WITH STAS FOR CONSULTATION
- AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS WINNERS AND FINALISTS 2020
- WORKER INJURED WHEN PULLING ELECTRICAL CABLE WITH AN INTEGRATED TOOL CARRIER
- APPRENTICE RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK
- NSW ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE ROADMAP: A HIGHWAY TO HELL?
- ACMA OFFERS UPSKILLING FOR CABLERS
1. ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROJECT (ESP) RELEASES CHARTER
Members of the Electrical Safety Project (ESP) recently met to review progress of the Group and to consider the next steps towards improving the quality of electrical work practices performed in the industry and electricians’ competence to verify compliant electrical installations to the Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules. The Group welcomed Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson’s announcement of a new SafeWork NSW campaign to reduce risk electrical work during the period 9 November 2020 to December 2020.
This is a timely announcement and the Group will be keen to learn of the results of the campaign, when it is completed, given that SafeWork NSW has investigated 34 serious electrical incidents with seven of these being fatalities since 2017. Furthermore, given 40% of fires are caused by electrical incidents and reports of unlicensed workers being recruited to perform electrical work, the need for tighter checks on the quality and integrity of electrical work is critical.
To this end the Group has developed a focused charter and conducted a second survey on actions that could be implemented to improve electrical safety and electrical safe work practices. It should be recalled all electrical work is required to be undertaken by licensed electricians or appropriately supervised by licensed electricians.
Observations:
The Group noted a few observations regarding electrical practices in NSW:
- Lack of availability of safety resources, which means electrical contractors must develop (and bear the cost of) their own.
- Lack of availability of licensed electricians (when needed)
- Quality of qualified and licensed electricians with competent testing skills weakened by increasing use of unlicensed workers.
- The cost of good design, the cost of high-quality equipment (compliant with Australian Standards) and the cost of actually conducting safe work practices.
- Employers (PCBUs), specifically small self-employed PCBUs, lacking support to carry the responsibility/obligation of providing a safe workplaces, and handing over safe electrical installations to their clients.
- Reliance on self-auditing – there are few inspections of electrical work and contractors are left to audit their own work.
Credible observations included:
- PCBUs have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their staff/workers.
- Due to economic, competitive and other pressures, many fall short of doing this.
- Larger organisations are more likely to take these responsibilities seriously and have the resources to develop effective safety management.
- Medium-small organisations often do not have the skills or resources to do this.
- There are limited resources readily available to the industry, especially SMEs, to meet their safety obligations.
- Safety should not be compromised in the industry for competitive advantage.
Achievement of the Group thus far:
- Initial position paper produced and updated
- Conducted 1st survey of electrical contractors and electrical worker
- Established a website: http://www.esproject.com.au/
- Produced a best practice guidance paper – “Circuit Testing Best Practice Model For Electricians”
- Conducted 2nd survey of electrical contractors and electrical workers
- Developed near on 50 Safe Work Procedures (SWPs) – all available on the website for downloading for free
- Produced a ‘Best Practice Electrical Safety Charter’
The next issue of the News Service will report on the outcomes of the findings of the 2nd survey of electrical contractors and electrical workers and release of the full charter.
The next steps for the Group are to promote key elements of the ‘Best Practice Electrical Safety Charter’ and elicit and review the information SafeWork NSW gathered during the ‘reduce risk electrical work’ campaign.
For more information and advice on how to deal with electrical issues on construction sites please see SafeWork’s fact sheet on electrical risks at the workplace.
The ESP Group is keen to learn of your views on the ESP Website and seeks your feedback on the its relevance at: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/construction/electrical-services/electrical-risks-at-the-workplace-fact-sheet
2. AUTOMATIC MUTUAL RECOGNITION PUSHED OUT TO 1 JULY 2021
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) reports that, “A proposal for automatic mutual recognition of state and territory occupational licences, which had been announced to commence on 1 Jan 2021, has been pushed out to 1 July 2021 after a meeting of the National Cabinet.”
In a media statement issued by the Prime Minister’s office of the National Cabinet’s meeting of the 13th November 2020 on automatic mutual recognition of state and territory occupational licences stated the following:
“The National Cabinet agreed in principle to establish an Intergovernmental Agreement on Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Licences, with that agreement to be signed by the end of the year following further work by the Council of Federal Financial Relations. To give effect to this, draft legislation to amend the Commonwealth Mutual Recognition Act 1992 will be released by the end of the year to facilitate automatic mutual recognition commencing by 1 July 2021.” Reference URL: AUTOMATIC MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENCES
The ARC media release of 19 November 2020 (attached) stated, “Automatic mutual recognition is intended to address impediments to labour mobility across jurisdictions by allowing individuals who hold an occupational licence in one Australian jurisdiction to undertake equivalent work in another jurisdiction under that licence. The objective is to make it easier and less expensive for businesses and tradespeople to operate across borders.
For further information, please contact Alex Doran, General Manager, Communications and Business Development at the ARC on 03 9843 1601 or email adoran@arctick.org
3. NSW SKILLS LIST – INVITATION TO APPLY TO ADD A QUALIFICATION
The NSW Training Market Design team at Training Services NSW, Education and Skills Reform has circulated a notice of invitation for stakeholders to apply to add a qualifications to the NSW Skills List. The notice states, “The NSW Skills List identifies the vocational education and training (VET) qualifications eligible for a government subsidy under Smart and Skilled. You can view the current Skills List here.” CURRENT NSW SKILLS LIST V11.2
The team is inviting stakeholders with an interest, to complete an online survey as follows: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nswskillslistadditions
Interested parties are encouraged to distribute the link to other stakeholders as they see fit. Applications in any other format will not be accepted.
Applications close COB Monday 14 December 2020.
The team advises of the following to be included in the application:
For a qualification to be added to the Skills List, applicants should present evidence of:
- industry demand (for example, occupational licence requirements, quantifiable evidence of industry need, confirmed occupational/sector employment growth and job opportunities, shortages due to a lack of trained workers)
- improved post-training outcomes for students (for example, quantitative evidence of good employment outcomes, how the qualification improves career prospects and/or how the qualification provides a pathway to further study).
- is required to gain entry level employment in an occupation or industry
- supports business development, jobs growth or enhances community wellbeing in a specific NSW region/town
- supports setting up and/or sustaining small business
- supports disadvantaged/equity groups
- is central to successfully implement a specific government strategy, policy or program.
The evidence may be publicly available information (e.g. an occupational forecast or research report) or information specific to the application (e.g. letters of support). Any evidence must be specific to the qualification and the occupation that it is linked to.
For more information on the policy and process visit the following link: NSW SKILLS LIST MANAGEMENT POLICY
If you have any questions regarding this process, please email marketdesign.implementation@det.nsw.edu.au.
If you would like to know more about the Training Services NSW Smart and Skilled – NSW Skills List visit the following link: SMART AND SKILLED – NSW SKILLS LIST
4. SMEs NEEDED FOR ELECTROTECHNOLOGY TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES (TACs)
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) has advised that the Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is undertaking a series of specialist projects to help review and develop Training Package materials covering changes in refrigeration and air-conditioning industry technologies, standards, regulations and practices and emergency lighting and alarm systems/fire and smoke control systems.
- Variable Refrigerant Flow AC Systems
The development of one new Unit of Competency and one new Skill Set for technicians engaged in air conditioning work. This new Unit of Competency will address the required generic skills and knowledge to enable technicians to install, commission, service and maintain variable refrigerant flow air conditioning systems.
For this project the IRC is seeking experts:
- with experience in the installation, commissioning, service and maintenance of variable refrigerant flow air conditioning systems
- RTOs who will deliver the new content and
- suppliers of variable refrigerant flow air conditioning systems.
View project page: VARIABLE REFRIGERANT FLOW AC SYSTEMS
- Emergency Lighting and Alarm Systems/Fire and Smoke Control Systems
The development of one new Unit of Competency and one new Skill Set for Air-Conditioning Technicians and Electricians engaged in the maintenance of relevant Essential Services Fire Measures, which includes Fire dampers, Smoke dampers, Smoke and heat vents, and Mechanical services air handlers.
The development of one new Unit of Competency and one new Skill Set for electricians engaged in the maintenance of emergency lighting and alarm systems.
For this project the IRC is seeking experts:
- with experience in maintenance of emergency lighting and alarm systems & fire and smoke control systems
- RTOs who will deliver the new content
- Air-Conditioning Technicians and Electricians
- experts on AS1851 Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment, and
- State / Territory regulators of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment.
View project page: EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND ALARM SYSTEMS/FIRE AND SMOKE CONTROL SYSTEMS
Please register your interest in becoming a TAC member via the project pages by close of business Monday, 30 November 2020.
For further details on the background and project deliverables, please contact the AIS Industry Manager, Klausch Schmidt – Electrotechnology, Electricity Supply & Gas M: 0417 568 967 | E: klausch.schmidt@aistnds.org.au
5. VALIDATION OF ESI TRANSMISSION DISTRIBUTION AND RAIL TRAINING PACKAGE
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) has advised that the Technical Advisory Committee for the ESI TDR has considered all stakeholder feedback and finalised draft Training Package materials for the Industry Skills project. This includes updates to seven qualifications and 75 Units of Competency.
These draft products address changes to the skills needs of the industry resulting from increased automation of power systems, new technologies, current industry practices and increased regulatory and safety requirements.
The ESI Transmission, Distribution and Rail Industry Reference Committee is seeking your feedback to validate these draft materials to ensure the proposed products meet industry needs.
Detailed mapping information, tracking changes to the existing Training Package, is also available to view: UET INDUSTRY SKILLS
Please submit your feedback by close of business Friday, 4 December 2020.
For more information on this project, please contact the Industry Manager, Klausch Schmidt – Electrotechnology, Electricity Supply & Gas M: 0417 568 967 | E: klausch.schmidt@aistnds.org.au
6. UEP ESI GENERATION TRAINING PACKAGE WITH STAS FOR CONSULTATION
Generation Training Package has been presented to each State/Territory Training Authority for consideration. Australian Industry Standards (AIS) reports that the “Technical Advisory Committee for the Wind Power Generation project has drafted Training Package materials and is requesting stakeholder feedback.”
The materials cover the “Certificate IV in Large Scale Wind Generation – Electrical Qualification and 13 associated Units of Competency have been reviewed and updated to reflect new technologies and work practices.”
It identifies, “the skills and knowledge requirements for workers to maintain, commission, diagnose and repair faults in equipment and systems associated with large scale wind power generation.”
Feedback is required by close of business Friday, 8 January 2021.
View project page and draft materials: UEP WIND POWER GENERATION
For more information on this project, please contact the Industry Manager, Klausch Schmidt – Electrotechnology, Electricity Supply & Gas M: 0417 568 967 | E: klausch.schmidt@aistnds.org.au
7. AUSTRALIAN TRAINING AWARDS WINNERS AND FINALISTS 2020
On Friday 20 November the Australian Training Awards were held, showcased Australia’s national training system and celebrating the exceptional talent in vocational education and training (VET).
75 finalists were shortlisted across seventeen Australian Training Award categories. The Australian Training Awards recognise outstanding achievement in students, apprentices, trainees and teachers, employers and registered training organisations.
The awards also included a Lifetime Achievement Award and National Achievement Award recognising the outstanding leadership and contribution to the VET sector.
The 2020 Australian Training Awards, was held as an online event. A first in its 26-year history.
All award finalists are invited to become part of the exclusive Australian VET Alumni. Alumni members share their story of success and inspire others to consider VET training on their career pathway.
Discover more about the finalists as well as the 2020 winners at: 2020 WINNERS AND FINALISTS
8. NEW TECHNOLOGIES WILL LEAD THE WAY IN GAS DECARBONISATION
In its recent media release of 15 November 2020, Energy Networks Australia (ENA) stated that it, “has welcomed the focus in the latest Grattan Institute report on renewable gas to help decarbonise Australia’s energy sector.
ENA Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Dillon said networks were already delivering projects to support the greening of our gas networks, including injecting renewable gas into networks.
As highlighted in the recent Gas Vision 2050 report, transformational technologies such as hydrogen, biomethane, carbon capture and storage and renewable methane can all support Australia’s decarbonisation.
“The future of gas is not ‘flame out’ but rather ‘flame green.’ All options to reduce emissions from gas should continue to be investigated and tested,” he said.
“There will be some opportunities for electrification, but gas will still be required for manufacturing – which requires high energy heat that only gaseous fuels can provide – and household heating like hot water, cooking and space heating.”
For the full version of the media release, click here: NEW TECHNOLOGIES WILL LEAD THE WAY IN GAS DECARBONISATION
For more information contact Jemma Townson, 0438 534 111, jtownson@energynetworks.com.au
9. WORKER INJURED WHEN PULLING ELECTRICAL CABLE WITH AN INTEGRATED TOOL CARRIER
The NSW Resources Regulator reports of a recent incident involving a worker injured when pulling electrical cable with an integrated tool carrier. The report states, “At Cadia East Operations on 1 September 2020 workers were underground installing a high voltage cable from an integrated tool carrier (ITC) fitted with a man-basket. The workers connected a tow rope from the end of the cable to a handrail in the man-basket. The rope was fed through a series of cable rollers, with the intention that the ITC would be trammed backward to pull the rope and cable through rollers suspended from the roof. During the pull, the rope became stuck in the rollers and tension in the rope increased, leading to the handrail being torn off the basket.
An electrician positioned inside the man-basket was struck in the torso by the handrail as the rope recoiled.”
An examination of the incident timeline, causal factors and remedial actions was undertaken and is detailed in the attached “Investigation Information Release” report, which can also be accessed at the following URL: NSW RESOURCES REGULATOR DOC20/818325
Recommendations:
Section 19(3) of the WHS Act prescribes that mine operators must provide adequate information, training and instructions to protect workers from risk. Mine operators should review their safety management systems to ensure:
- workers are provided with the correct information and training to make an informed assessment of risk, as well as adequate information, training and instruction on implementation of appropriate risk controls
- Workers are able to identify whether developed critical controls are required and implemented appropriately, regardless of the presence or absence of a documented procedure
- when planning a task involving towing or snigging, the working load limit of all components, including the connection points, is considered in the development of the workplan, risk assessment and procedures
- towing connection points are engineered, rated, correctly installed, inspected regularly and labelled as a designated towing point for the applicable task
- safe standing zones, preferably barricaded, are established to mitigate the risk of component failures in a towing system.
For the latest information visit the regulator’s website: https://www.resourcesregulator.nsw.gov.au/
10. APPRENTICE RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK
NSW Mine Safety News reports of an apprentice who received an electric shock when his abdomen touched the vice that was holding the item he was welding.
The regulator advises that, “Workers undertaking welding activities should remain insulated from the welding job. Mine operators should verify that workers carrying out welding activities have identified appropriate earthing points, their personal protection equipment (PPE) is dry and they are appropriately trained.”
The regulator cites to reference documents for attention:
- Safety Bulletin SB19-03 Welding-related electric shocks increase (attached)
- NSW Resources Regulator Information Sheet No.2: Basic welding practices (attached)
Dangerous incident – IncNot0038618
11. NSW ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE ROADMAP: A HIGHWAY TO HELL?
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) advised of the recently published NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. In a complementary recent media release by Australian Energy Council on the same matter it states, “On 9 November the NSW Government published its “Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap” Is it the path to the promised land – or a highway to hell?”
“The NSW Government has correctly identified that the National Electricity Market (NEM) is in transition, as aging conventional thermal generation retires, and is replaced by variable renewable energy generation supported by “firming” technologies such as gas-fired generation, pumped hydro and batteries to ensure the power system operates securely and reliably.
The Roadmap proposes five initiatives, as follows:
- Developing Regional NSW;
- Delivering energy storage infrastructure;
- Delivering Renewable Energy -establishing the Transmission Development Scheme to de-risk Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) grid investment and introducing the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Safeguard – Renewable Energy Zone generation;
- Firming, via the Electricity Infrastructure Investment Safeguard; and
- Creating Opportunities for Industry, which espouses the “build it and they will come” philosophy.
To facilitate these plans the NSW Government will establish the Energy Corporation of NSW, which will coordinate the delivery of the REZs in the regions listed throughout the state. …
In addition, a “Consumer Trustee” will be appointed to “protect the long-term interests of consumers”. The Consumer Trustee will award Long Term Energy Services Agreements to a total of 12GW of generation and 2GW of storage, and will on-sell the energy to retailers or NSW companies.”
For more detailed information read the full and interesting article at: NSW ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE ROADMAP: A HIGHWAY TO HELL?
To access a copy of the full NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap Report follow the URL: https://energy.nsw.gov.au/government-and-regulation/electricity-infrastructure-roadmap
For more, contact Ben Skinner and Duncan MacKinnon, Australian Energy Council
12. ACMA OFFERS UPSKILLING FOR CABLERS
Sean Carroll at Electrical Connection reports on the recent decision by ACMA to “offer cablers who hold an open registration now have the optional to extend their skills and knowledge with educational courses.
The article states, “competency requirements for registered cabling providers in 2012, addressing concerns within the cabling industry that some may not have the appropriate skills required to perform specialised cabling work for the current and emerging environment.
Much of these changes were driven by the introduction of the NBN, where customer telecommunications systems are increasingly becoming IP/Ethernet-based and therefore must function over higher data rate capable customer cabling.
Following a two-year transitional period, ending on 1 July 2014, the ACRS has been receiving many enquiries regarding the changes and possibility of upskilling.
If you are working with structured cabling, coaxial cable or fibre optics, these specialised cabling competencies will need to be completed to upskill your registration.
These competencies form the basis for training programs developed by industry skills councils and delivered by recognised training organisations.”
Read the full article at: ACMA OFFERS UPSKILLING FOR CABLERS