  
4. Results of Disciplinary Hearings
Creating a shock hazard by transposing supply conductors
A complaint was laid against Monty Hunia Rihari (LM 2498), a
Line Mechanic from Auckland, by an industry body. The complaint
alleged Mr Rihari transposed phase and neutral conductors
while transferring supply conductors to a new pole. A young boy
subsequently received an electric shock from an exterior water tap
on the affected property.
The Board considered the complaint and found Mr Rihari guilty of
disciplinary offences in that he:
- Carried out prescribed electrical work in an incompetent
manner; and
- Contravened regulations 69 and 69A of the Electricity
Regulations 1997 by creating an installation that was not
electrically safe because of the risk of electric shock; and
- Negligently created a risk to life and limb by transposing phase
and neutral supply conductors.
The Board fi ned Mr Rihari $2,250 and ordered him to pay costs
of $1,500.
Shock hazard undetected during testing
A complaint was laid against Tainui Thomas Kingi
(LM 1741), a Line Mechanic from Auckland, by an
industry body. The complaint alleged Mr Kingi failed
to ensure correct polarity while testing transferred supply conductors.
A young boy subsequently received an electric shock from an
exterior water tap on the affected property.
The Board considered the complaint and found Mr Kingi guilty of
disciplinary offences in that he:
- Failed to ensure his work was tested and certifi ed by an
electrician; and
- Did prescribed electrical work an electrical service technician is
not authorised to do without the appropriate supervision.
The Board fi ned the electrical service technician $1,850 and ordered
the electrical service technician to pay costs of $1,500.
The Board did not direct the electrical service technician’s name and
location to be published.
Comment
An electrical service technician registration does not authorise
a worker to extend sub-circuits, and specifi cally excludes the
installation of conductors.
Late Certificate of Compliance, no Practising
Licence
A complaint was laid against Jeremy Brader (E 19793), an electrician
from Mt Maunganui, by a homeowner.
The complaint alleged the Mr Brader had connected the earth
terminal of an external socket outlet directly to an earth electrode
and failed to adequately protect cables.
The Board considered the complaint and found Mr Brader guilty of
disciplinary offences in that he:
- Contravened section 95 of the Electricity Act 1992 by working
while not being the current holder of a practising licence; and
- Contravened regulation 39 of the Electricity
Regulations 1997 by failing to issue a Certificate
of Compliance within one day of the completion of
the work.
The Board restricted Mr Brader’s registration, requiring him to
provide copies of all his Certificates of Compliance to the Registrar
for audit, and fined him $500. The Board ordered Mr Brader to pay
costs of $750.
No Practising Licence
A complaint was laid against an electrician from the Bay of Islands
by a property owner.
The complaint alleged the electrician had failed to provide a
Certificate of Compliance.
During the Complaints Assessment Committee process it was
discovered the electrician’s safety training had expired and that the
electrician had not renewed his practising licence.
The electrician was responsible for supervising a Provisional Licence
holder.
The Board considered the complaint and found the electrician guilty
of a disciplinary offence in that the electrician:
- Contravened section 95 of the Electricity Act 1992 by carrying
out prescribed electrical work while not being the holder of a
current practising licence or current safety training.
The Board fi ned the electrician $1,000 and ordered the electrician
to pay costs of $1,500.
The Board did not direct the electrician’s name to be published.
Comment
The Board advises electrical workers that if a complaint is laid
against you, this will result in your practising licence and safety
training being scrutinised. Lack of either practising licence or safety
training will result in you appearing before the Board in relation to
those matters irrespective of other issues.
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