esv.vic.gov.au
Repeated offences
relating to solar
installations
By Sandy Atkins, Senior Compliance Officer, Renewable Energy
Following repeated and flagrant breaches of regulations,
ESV has stripped a licensed electrical worker of their licence,
removing their ability to work.
The individual must now respond to a
list of offences relating to unsafe and
non-compliant solar installations, lack
of adequate supervision of electrical
workers, including apprentices and
the breach of numerous regulations,
including the Electricity Safety Act 1998,
AS/NZS 5033 and AS/NZS 3000.
For legal reasons, ESV cannot reveal
the name the individual involved.
However, given the current solar boom
as a result of the expanded Solar Homes
program by the Victorian Government,
licensed electrical workers should be
aware of the increased risks of working
on solar installations because of the
unscrupulous actions of individuals
such as this repeat offender.
Found to be using unlicensed workers
to install solar, the offender had their
REC licence suspended and later
cancelled. Subsequent checks by ESV
found 21 testing faults within a three
month period of being caught. Clearly
the offender was not meeting their
regulatory obligations.
Working closely with Solar Victoria,
ESV has identified more instances
where this individual has attempted to
pass off solar installations as safe and
responsibly installed. Poor work like
this discredits the trade and endangers
public safety.
“This kind of behaviour will not be
tolerated by ESV. It is believed that by
using unskilled and unqualified workers,
the person involved was undercutting
industry rates and securing more
business than they could service,”
ESV’s General Manager, Licensing,
Training and Standards, Neil Fraser said.
“This is a warning and an alert for
both the general public and the electrical
trade. If you or someone you know is not
abiding by the regulations, be warned.
Offenders will be caught.”
Victorians are reminded that electrical
work can only be carried out by licensed
and skilled electrical workers. If the price
for work is too good to be true, then it
probably is. Always ask to see a current
electrical worker licence before allowing
work to begin.
Type A Appliance
Gasfitter Toolkit
By Daniel Brace,
Communications Advisor
To assist gasfitters carry out essential
work servicing heaters this winter,
ESV has compiled an online information
pack for easy reference, available on
the ESV website.
The toolkit includes information to
protect you, your colleagues and the
Victorian community from coronavirus
(COVID-19). Additional precautions have
been added to reflect the work you
undertake and its associated risks.
This winter will see more families
staying at home, resulting in gas space
heaters being used for longer periods.
So, as happens each winter, we can
expect gasfitters to be in demand over
the coming months.
As an essential service, gasfitters
are permitted to carry out work, both
domestically and commercially.
“Of course, protecting yourself and
the general public is simple. If you don’t
feel well, don’t go to work. Stay home
and get better,” says ESV’s Type A
Gas Appliance and Component Safety
Manager, Enzo Alfonsetti.
“You need to ask your customer if
they or other family members in their
home are unwell or have recently been
unwell or have they have recently been
in contact with someone who has been
diagnosed with coronavirus. Don’t
hesitate to cancel a job if you feel there
is risk to your personal wellbeing."
2020 Gas Heater Safety Webinars
Hosted by Master Plumbers with the
help of the VBA and ESV, the webinars
run from 20 May to 24 June 2020. The
series will provide Type A Servicing
gasfitters with all the latest information
on carbon monoxide testing and the
safe operation of gas appliances. The
webinars will also cover responsibilities
and legislative requirements.
Registration is free.
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