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NA Smith Award for top gas apprentice
By Michelle Robertson , Senior Media and Communications Advisor
Congratulations to plumbing apprentice Jarrad Gstrein on winning the NA Smith Gas Award at the Plumbing and Fire Industry Awards in October .
The NA Smith Award is a $ 1000 prize given to a fourth-year apprentice who has excelled in gas studies . It is named in honour of Neil Smith , chairman and managing director of the Gas and Fuel Corporation from 1970 to 1990 .
ESV is a platinum sponsor of the awards and Gas Operations Manager Paul Harris was on hand to present the Neil Smith Award to Jarrad . Paul also congratulated Liam Bell and Michael Caserta , who were both finalists for the award .
Jarrad is currently undertaking Certificate 4 in Gas and has gained experience ranging from gas mains for large multi-storey apartment buildings to hooking up gas meters and sizing and running domestic housing gas runs .
He has completed his Journeyman ’ s and apprentice trade school training and a business and health and safety certificate 4 in drainage . Jarrad said he chose plumbing because
ESV ’ s Gas Operations Manager , Paul Harris , congralates NA Smith Award winner Jarrad Gstrein ( left ) and award finalists Liam Bell and Michael Caserta on their plumbing achievements so far .
it is a great career that is physically and mentally challenging while also providing an integral community service .
“ Gas is a very important aspect of plumbing – if gas is not done correctly it can take lives .
I believe that pursuing a career in gas studies is important for the community ,” said Jarrad .
In the future Jarrad hopes to have his own plumbing and gasfitting business in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne .
Online seller prosecuted for unsafe electrical goods
By Jean-Marie Ntahonkiriye , Electrical Equipment Safety Compliance Officer
ESV recently prosecuted Apus Corporation Pty Ltd at Melbourne Magistrates ’ Court for breaching the Electricity Safety Act by selling unsafe electrical goods online .
Apus Corporation had been supplying , and offering to supply , non-compliant electrical equipment on www . shoppingsquare . com . au , which is a division of Apus Corporation Pty Ltd .
ESV took legal action against the company for failing to comply despite previously issued warnings and infringement notice . The company was fined $ 12,000 .
ESV cautions all companies or people trading online and those offering the online platform for traders must not supply or offer to supply electrical equipment without ensuring that they comply with the relevant Australian safety standards and are approved in accordance with Electricity Safety ( Equipment ) Regulations 2009 .
Timeline of complaints ESV prosecuted Apus Corporation after a string of complaints and repeated warnings : »»
In January 2014 ESV issued a warning letter to Apus Corporation following a complaint from a member of the public in relation to non-compliant and unapproved USB power supplies
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In February 2014 ESV received another complaint in relation to Apus Corporation supplying non-compliant and unapproved travel adaptors
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ESV contacted Apus Corporation and they advised they had stopped the sale of non-compliant and / or unapproved electrical equipment
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In August 2014 ESV received another complaint relating to the supply of noncompliant AC power plug adaptor .
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ESV issued an infringement notice to Apus Corporation for the supply of the non-compliant AC power plug adaptor
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In February 2015 ESV received a new complaint relating to non-compliant and unapproved electrical equipment being offered for supply by Apus Corporation .
Compliance is key
ESV would like to see compliance maintained without resorting to legal action . It is expected that this case will serve as a deterrent to anyone who may consider the online platform to be a safe haven for the supply of non-compliant electrical equipment .
Consumers are encouraged to regularly visit the ESV website for information related to electrical safety in general and electrical equipment safety in particular .
Click here for more information on the ESV website