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Introduction
This report details the main activities undertaken by the Board for the period 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997.
The Board
Mr J I (Ian) Daniell and Mr S F (Stuart) Robb completed their terms during the year. Ian Daniell was appointed to the Board when it was formed in 1993. Stuart Robb was appointed in 1994. The contribution of both Mr Daniell and Mr Robb is acknowledged.
The Minister of Energy appointed Mr G C (Gordon) Forgie and Mr J B (John) Howarth to the Board as persons holding registration under the Electricity Act 1992.
Registrar's Review
Purchase of Administrative Services
During the year the Board continued with the previously reported project to independently analyse the functions that are carried out on it's behalf by the Ministry of Commerce under a Memorandum of Understanding.
The 1995/96 financial year was the first complete year in which the Board operated under the Memorandum of Understanding and the Board initiated the review to establish how personnel time was utilized and how major expenditure items such as overheads are derived.
Review of Board costs and user charges
As a result of the information obtained from the expenditure review project the Board agreed to review fees payable for functions carried out by the Board. These fees are prescribed, and listed in schedule 9 to the Electricity Regulations 1997.
The review concentrated on the methodology used to allocate costs and derive Board fees, amendments to Board fees and the structure and content of overhead costs.
The review proposes full cost recovery of individual product groups. This will ensure no cross-subsidisation occurs between users.
A draft report has been produced and it is envisaged that proposals for amending schedule 9 to the regulations will be circulated later.
Board Review of the Electricity Act 1992
The Board continued with its review of specific sections of the Electricity Act 1992 during the year. In addition to considering written submissions the Board provided submitters with the opportunity to appear before the Board.
An interim report was released for comment in April and the Board is currently formulating it's final report. This will be presented to the Minister in October.
Legislation and regulation reviews
The Board continued its involvement in reviews of the Statutes Amendment Bill and Electricity Regulations 1997.
Ensuring the competence of registered workers
During the year the Board analysed the processes which have been in place since 1994 to ensure the safety competence of all registered people. The analysis confirmed that the system, which was fundamentally based on the previous inspection regime, was too narrow in it's focus.
It is the Board's opinion that any attempt to extend the 1994 programmes would be prohibitively expensive and impose unacceptable compliance costs on the industry. The Board has therefore developed a revised strategy for ensuring the competence of registered people. This strategy shifts the emphasis from the inspection of work to the prerequisites for practising licence issue. The Board acknowledges the contribution of numerous individuals and the following organisations in developing the revised strategy:
- Electrical Institute of New Zealand (Inc)
- Electronic Technology Services Association (Inc)
- Electronic Appliance Guild (Inc)
- Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand (Inc)
- New Zealand Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union
Full detail of the revised strategy is contained in the document "Ensuring the competence of electrical workers through audit".
Auditing of Electrical Workers
Auditing of electrical work carried out under the certificate of compliance system continued at approximately the same level as that reported last year.
During the year 78 contracts were issued for the inspection of work carried out under the certificate of compliance system. These contracts related to 6,121 inspections of work completed under domestic (type "S") and commercial (type "M") certificates. A total of 5,826 of those contracted inspections were completed. The cost associated with the completed inspections was $372,198. The cost for partly completed inspections or partial payments for inspections was $1,978.
Inspections on work carried out under ongoing commercial/industrial (type 'T") certificates of compliance were initiated through the year and 70 of these inspections were completed. The cost of these inspections was $30,462. Inspections that are carried out as a result of exception reporting, (i.e. complaints) cost $4,936.
A total of 37 separate contractors were engaged to carry out the differing types of inspection work.
A total of 513 audits that were contracted in the 1995/96 year were completed in the 1996/97 year at a cost of $35,808. These are included in the figures above. Details of audit outcomes are published from time to time. It is the Board's opinion that the process is having a positive effect on safety outcomes.
Registers
The number of persons holding registration at 30 June 1997 was 31,3: This is an overall increase of 882.
A total of 1,259 names were added to the register during the year.
Chart A shows the total number of registrations in each category.
Chart A - Persons registered in each category as at 30 June 1997
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Chart B shows the number of additional registrations in each category.
Chart B - Additional registrations issued in each category as at 30 June 1997
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Practising licences
In the period covered by this report a total of 20,214 practising licences were issued. This compares with a total of 16,600 on 30 June 1996 and 17,265 on 30 June 1995.
Chart C shows the number of practising licences in each category.
Chart C - Number of practising licences in each category as at 30 June 1997
(42KB jpg)
Electrotechnology Industry Training Organisation Memorandum of Understanding
During the year work continued on the development of a formal agreement between the Board and the Electrotechnology Industry Training Organisation for incorporating the training requirements for registration into Unit Standards of Learning. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed and this document sets out the agreed arrangements between the two organisations for the training, assessment and qualification of persons seeking registration as electricians.
The Board acknowledges and thanks the Electrotechnology Industry Training Organisation Board and its Chief Executive for the time and effort put into this important project.
Certificates of Compliance
The network of resellers of certificates of compliance extended to 212 this year. A total of 13 new resellers were approved.
Sales of certificates of compliance
Chart D shows the number of certificates of compliance sold during the 1996/97 financial year.
Chart D - Number of Certificates of Compliance Sold During the 1996/97 Financial Year
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Revenue from certificates of compliance
Chart E shows the revenue from the sale of certificates of compliance sold during the 1996/97 financial year.
Chart E - Revenue from Sales of Certificates of Compliance Sold During the 1996/97 Financial Year (exclusive of GST)
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Examinations
The Board continued to provide registration examinations on request and during the year a total of 2,692 candidates attempted these examinations. This is an increase of 397 candidates over the corresponding period last year.
The Board introduced a policy of conducting examinations in the United Kingdom and South Africa on request. These examinations were held in conjunction with the Auckland Institute of Technology and the Board acknowledges the efforts of the Institute in making the venture a success.
Chart F shows the number of candidates attempting registration examinations during the report period.
Chart F - Candidates Attempting Board-Conducted Examinations during the 1996/97 financial year
(58KB jpg)
Disciplinary Action
Twenty two disciplinary hearings involving twenty registered persons were held by the Board. Details of the disciplinary actions are published by the Board from time to time.
Practical Assessments
Chart G shows the number of practical assessments attempted during the report period.
Chart G - Number of practical assessments attempted during the 1996/97 financial year
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Communications
The Board's policy of holding it's monthly meetings around the country has continued with a number of persons taking advantage of attending meetings. The utilisation of ElectroLink magazine as a communication vehicle has also continued. The magazine is provided free of charge to every registered person in New Zealand five times a year as a result of contractual arrangements between the Board and the magazine.
As a result of the previously introduced performance criteria advances have been made in the area of ensuring correspondence is actioned in a timely manner.
Publicity
As part of its ongoing promotions the Board accepted invitations from the New Zealand Electrical Institute (Inc.) and the Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand to participate in industry shows. The feedback received from the ventures has been positive and considered to be well worthwhile.
The Board contributed to the Electrical Contractors Association's television advertising campaign.
John Sickels
Registrar
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