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Members of the ESVConnect Project Team: Praveen Puri, Yashodha Rajapakse, Sarah Sanderson, Trish Zupan, Neil Fraser, Faisal Zahir, David Bibby,
Junayed Chowdhury
ESV hosts COES workshops
By Sarah Sanderson, Engagement Lead,
ESVConnect Project Team
In our last energysafe edition, we announced
the launch of ESVConnect — our new
platform for online services — and the
release of its first workflow, the Registration
of Cathodic Protection Systems.
The ESVConnect project team is now getting
ready to start work on renewing the Certificates
of Electrical Safety (COES) process.
The first step is to understand the scenarios
where COES impact industry work practices.
Three redeveloped processes — the
Registration of Electrical Contractors (REC),
Licensing of Electrical Workers (LEW) and,
Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) will go
live together.
Discussions with Industry about COES
Between 12-15 February, our project team
hosted six workshops at The Hub in Docklands.
Over 50 people took the time to share with us their
experience with COES and how it impacts their
working day.
The team spoke with licensed electrical
workers, electrical contractors and their support
teams, electrical inspectors, union representatives,
educators, and distribution company staff.
Focus of the workshop
The focus of the workshops was to
understand:
» situations you find yourself in where COES
cause you grief, and
» situations you find yourself in where COES
works just fine.
Ongoing conversation
The project team will continue to engage with
the industry to inform the design and development
of the new COES process.
Join the COES Reference Group
A COES Reference Group has been created
as an outcome of the workshops.
If you did not get the chance to attend one
of our workshops and are interested in being part
of this group, please contact us at
[email protected]
to start the conversation.
J
oin our COES Reference Group
coesworkshops@energysafe.
vic.gov.au
Tragic death prompts new
call to Look Up and Live
By Anitra Robertson, Senior
Communications and Marketing Adviser
The death of a 55-year-old truck driver
earlier this month has reinforced the
importance of ESV’s Look Up and Live
campaign.
The truck’s trailer was raised when it hit
powerlines and brought them down on a property
in Kergunyah, south of Wodonga. The truck
caught fire and it is believed the driver got out
and was electrocuted.
ESV is supporting WorkSafe’s investigation
of the incident.
ESV’s Look Up and Live awareness campaign
has been in place since 2006 when three people
were killed in similar but separate incidents
involving a tipper hitting powerlines.
In 2010 there was a further tragedy when a
father and son were killed when a windmill they
were moving came into contact with powerlines.
Look Up and Live asks people operating
heavy machinery, particularly tippers, to be aware
of powerlines especially on large properties such
as farms.
ESV recommends the following
» Understand No Go Zones. These are defined
distances for safety clearances near overhead
powerlines. People and equipment should
be at least three metres away from live
powerlines.
» Monitor weather conditions closely –
powerlines can sag in extreme heat and sway
in strong winds.
» Powerlines are more difficult to see at dawn
and dusk.
» Remember that electricity can jump gaps.
For more information go to our website
Look Up and Live campaign page.
Got overhead powerlines on your
property or know someone that does?
Order one of our free farm safety signs
to help remind farmers, truck drivers and
heavy machine operators of the danger
above them.
To place your order, head to
www.esv.vic.gov.au/merchanise