esv.vic.gov.au
ESV will conduct a comprehensive broad-based,
independent review assessing the entire electrical
inspection regime, to be completed by December 2020.
The first phase will focus on the
inspection and certification of solar
system installations, which has been
a huge area of rapid and recent growth
for the electrical industry. The report
on phase one is due in August 2020.
Phase two will encompass the entire
regime and other types of prescribed
electrical work and is due to be
completed by December 2020.
The current inspection regime is
now in its 20th year. It began at a
time when inspection of electrical
installation work in Victoria changed as
a result of the privatisation of the State
Electricity Commission (SEC) and the
implementation of the Electricity Safety
Act 1998 and the Electricity Safety
(Installations) Regulations 1999.
At this time, two categories of electrical
installation work were proclaimed:
prescribed electrical installation work
and non-prescribed electrical installation
work.
Prescribed electrical installation work
must be inspected by an independent
Licensed Electrical Inspector (LEI).
To facilitate the inspection of prescribed
electrical installation work ESV licences
suitably qualified and experienced
individuals as LEIs.
Non-prescribed electrical installation
work is self-certified by the Licensed
Electrical Worker (LEW) performing
the work, ESV audits a percentage of
non-prescribed electrical installation
work performed.
Examination of recent prescribed
electrical installation work audit results
has indicated a higher than acceptable
defect rate post-inspection requiring
rectification. These results have raised
concerns about the knowledge or
competence of LEI’s and the efficacy
of the inspection regime.
In addition, the current regime has
been in place for 20 years and it is
appropriate that a review be conducted.
“This is an opportunity to take stock
of where we are at the moment, how
electrical inspectors operate and how
we can make improvements,” Director
of Energy Safety, Marnie Williams said.
“The inspector’s role is key to
Victoria’s electrical safety regime, so
it's appropriate that we take stock of
the governance arrangements and the
performance of inspectors,” Ms Williams
said.
“There's been a small but worrying
trend of defects found post-inspection
that required rectification. This trend
must be reversed immediately and the
review is the right way to determine
what needs to be done.”
Prescribed electrical installation work
includes consumer mains, earthing
systems, parts of main switchboards,
sub-mains, hazardous areas, high
voltage installations, generation or
co-generation equipment (including
solar and battery storage systems),
electric fences, patient areas,
emergency lifts and alternative design
solutions. Of the defined classes of
prescribed electrical installation work,
the most common types are consumer
mains and main switchboards for new
buildings, and solar generation systems.
Legislation stipulates that LEIs are
required to attend the property, test
and inspect the relevant parts of
the electrical installation and record
compliance on the Certificate of
Electrical Safety (COES). The Registered
Electrical Contractor (REC) who
performed the work is responsible for
engaging the LEI either as an individual
or through an inspection company.
The cost and timing of an inspection is
negotiated between these parties.
ESV will engage independent
consultants to carry out the review,
which will consult with industry and
representative groups, government
including agencies such as Solar
Victoria, trade unions and inspectors
themselves.
This will be a comprehensive broadbased,
independent review assessing
the entire electrical inspection regime to:
» determine how the current inspection
regime operates in practice
» explore the potential for conflict between
the objective of community safety and
the current inspection regime
» identify any indication of negligence or
fraudulent activity
» review the extent and adequacy
of ESV’s oversight of the regime
» identify any gaps in the regulatory
framework, including entry pathways,
training, qualifications, licensing, and
market drivers for participants.
It is anticipated that to inform the review,
the independent consultant will engage
with ESV and among others:
» The Department of Energy, Land,
Water and Planning (DELWP)
» Victorian distribution businesses
» Industry representative groups
» Trade unions
» Solar Victoria
» Institute of Electrical Inspectors
» LEWs, LEIs and RECs.
Phase one and phase two reports
will be released, along with findings,
improvements and recommendations
to the licensing regime.
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