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Transportable structures and the need for COES
By Bronwyn Hellings , Electrical Technical Information Officer
Working together : ESV ’ s Rob Oldfield ( right ) joined with WorkSafe inspectors to visit building sites in Geelong and the Great Ocean Rd during the latest Build Aware blitz .
Regulators team up for safer building sites
WorkSafe inspectors will be focusing on poor electrical safety standards in a major campaign to reduce injuries and fatalities in the Victorian construction sector in the coming weeks .
Inspectors from WorkSafe and ESV will be visiting work sites across the state in March and April looking for evidence of poorly maintained equipment , workers breaching No Go Zones around overhead powerlines and other potentially unsafe work practices .
The blitz follows the recent Build Aware program in Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast in which inspectors from ESV , WorkSafe , EPA , VBA and Consumer Affairs Victoria inspected and tested building sites in the local area .
While the regulators were largely pleased with the results of the program , the VBA directed excavation works cease immediately on two potentially unsafe sites following inspections in Lorne .
The regulatory intiative aims to increase compliance in the construction and demolition sectors with building , construction , OH & S laws and regulations , environment and consumer rights .
VBA Director of Enquiries , Inspections and Complaints , Murray Smith says the Building Act states a project must be inspected by a registered building surveyor at specified times during the build .
“ The VBA ’ s pro-active inspection team visits randomly selected building sites to review building works , making sure they comply with the Building Act and regulations and approved building permit .”
Over the past decade , 18 workers have been electrocuted in Victoria while more than 140 have received an electric shock serious enough to require medical treatment or extensive time off work .
WorkSafe ’ s Executive Director of Health and Safety , Marnie Williams , said such tragedies highlighted why safety could never be taken for granted .
“ The fact families didn ’ t get to welcome home their loved one at the end of the day is completely unacceptable ,” Ms Williams said .
“ This new campaign is designed to make sure builders and electrical contractors comply with their responsibilities to keep their employees safe .”
Inspectors will target and test areas such as :
»» portable electrical equipment
»» residual current devices
»» potential breaches of No Go Zones near overhead powerlines
»» unidentified live permanent wiring on site
»» inadequate Safe Work Method Statements .
Ms Williams said appropriate supervision of apprentice electricians would also be a particular focus .
“ Like any young worker , apprentices are often keen to take on added responsibility but that should never be allowed without proper training ,” Ms Williams said . “ And appropriate supervision is a must while they are learning their trade .”
Ms Williams said every worker had a role to play in creating a safe workplace .
“ But it is the employer who is responsible for ensuring that the risks associated with electrical work are controlled ,” she said .
Further information : worksafe . vic . gov . au .
One of the most frequently asked questions received by the electrical inquiry hotline is should the manufacturer of a transportable structure ( such as a site shed ) that is intended to be connected to an electricity supply by fixed wiring , be required to issue a Certificate of Electrical Safety ( COES )?
No , the manufacturer is not required to issue a COES , the manufacturer is required to install the wiring and electrical equipment within the transportable structure in accordance with AS / NZS 3001:2008 .
ESV encourages the manufacturers of these structures to issue a COES or other documentation certifying compliance with the Standard on completion of the installation of the electrical equipment within the transportable structure .
This will ensure the registered electrical contractor ( REC ), who ultimately connects the structure to an electricity supply , is confident that the wiring is compliant with the Standard .
The certification should provide detailed information to enable final verification of the wiring and electrical equipment installed by the manufacturer .
The installing REC must check that the transported structure has not been damaged in transit and is safe to connect to the electricity supply .
The installing REC will provide a COES for their work on site , with reference the original certification from the manufacturer . This will tie all work to the final installation .
What if the manufacturer does not issue a COES or other means of certification ?
If the manufacturer ’ s certification is not available to the installing REC , the installing REC is required to take responsibility for all the electrical installation work within the transportable structure and test the completed electrical installation and certify compliance by issuing a COES .