  
12. Technical and General Question CornerQ: Who do I contact when I encounter bad workmanship, bad electrical installations, fittings or electrical appliances? A: Electrical accidents resulting in serious injury or death or any fire that is electrically initiated rendering the place unusable are to be reported to the Secretary immediately (Electricity Act 1992: section 16). There is a free phone number available for this purpose: 0800 10 44 77 or fax 04 460 1365. Any registered person carrying out or inspecting prescribed electrical work who finds work that is immediately hazardous to life or limb must report it to the Secretary (regulation 50 of the Electricity Regulations 1997). This can be done by telephoning 800 10 44 77, 0800 66 1000 or free fax 0508723336. Work that is not immediately hazardous to life or limb is the responsibility of the person who has control of the work (regulations 69 and 94 of the Electricity Regulation 1997). The person having control of those works, electrical installations, appliances or associated electrical equipment must take all practical steps to minimise the risk. There is no statutory requirement to notify the Secretary of work that is not immediately hazardous. However, if you wish to complain about the person who carried out the work then you need to contact the Electrical Workers Licensing Group on 0800 66 1000. If the person who carried out the work is registered then you are entitled to lodge a written complaint with the Registrar (section 119 of the Electricity Act 1992). This will initiate a Complaints Assessment Committee, which may lead to a complaint hearing. If the person who carried out the work is not registered then an investigation may be carried out which could result in a prosecution. Instead of prosecution, compliance by way of registration/licensing is also considered a positive outcome. Q: Which regulations are the current Electricity Regulations? A: The current Electricity Regulations are the Electricity Regulations 1997 as amended by: - The Electricity Amendment Regulations 1999 which came into force on 18 November 1999; and
- The Electricity Amendment Regulations 2002 part of which came into force on 1 January 2003 and part on 1 April 2003; and
- The Electricity Amendment Regulations 2003 which came into force on 8 January 2004.
The Electricity Regulations Compilation 2003 was issued by the Board to provide one document for easier reference. The Board intends to update the compilation in the future. You can always find the current Electricity Act and Electricity Regulations (incorporating all changes) on the internet at http://www.legislation.govt.nz.
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