9. Specific refresher course content

Testing for safety

(A) All refresher course candidates are required to have a thorough knowledge of testing as listed in section 6 of AS/NZS 3000 and section 2 of AS/NZS 3760 including:

The checks and tests to be performed to ensure electrical installations are safe are identified and methods of measurement described, and
Where appropriate, the minimum and maximum values applicable to the testing. This includes:

Visual tests/inspections, and
Continuity of the earthing system, and
Insulation resistance, and
Polarity, and
Correct circuit connections, and
Operation of RCDs, and
Fault-loop impedance, and
Frequency of inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

The requirements relating to the supervision of trainees both from a supervisor and trainee perspective

(A) All refresher course candidates are required to have a thorough knowledge of the requirements of the draft Code of Practice for the supervision of trainee electricians which was issued by the Electrical Workers Licensing Group in May 2006.

Please note that while the above mentioned draft Code of Practice is specific in its application to trainee electricians, for the purposes of the refresher course the draft Code’s principles apply to all trainees.

Earthing requirements

All refresher course candidates are required to have a thorough knowledge of the earthing requirements as listed in section 5 of AS/NZS 3000 including:

The earthing of electrical installations and fittings for functional and protective earthing purposes, and
The role of MEN switchboards within the earthing system including the importance of earthing the neutral in the MEN system, and
The earth fault loop in the New Zealand MEN system, and
Measuring earth fault currents in installations.

The installation, operation and operational testing of residual current devices

(B) All refresher course candidates are required to have a good knowledge of:

The properties and Classifications of different types of RCDs including RCCB, RCBO, SRCD and PRCD, and
Residual current ratings for personal protection and property protection, and
Procedures for testing and verifying the operation of new and in service RCDs to achieve the outcomes of applicable regulations and standards.

Prospective short circuit current levels

(A) for electrical inspectors

(B) for electricians

Refresher course candidates are required to have knowledge at the above levels and should be aware that there is considerable danger inherent in the wrong selection of equipment or improper installation of equipment due to high prospective short circuit current levels. The high levels of energy dissipated during faults involving high currents can extensively damage plant and can lead to injury for any person working nearby.

Electricians and electrical inspectors should be able to perform calculations to determine fault levels.

Training providers need to be able to provide refresher course candidates with information on the dangers of prospective short circuit currents.

Hazard identification

(B) All refresher course candidates are required to have a good working knowledge of the principles of risk management assessment.

The principles of risk assessment comprise of:

identifying hazards, and
assessing and prioritising the risks and then
applying control measures.

How to Identify Hazards in the Workplace

The first step in identifying a hazard is to gather information. Fundamentally the following questions should be asked :

Does the job look safe?
What hazards could arise from this job?

After any hazards have been identified a decision must be made on which hazards are significant.

Significant hazards

Significant hazards are those that are the actual or potential cause, or source of:

serious harm, including death, and
harm, the severity of which depends on the frequency or extent of exposure, and
harm not detected until after the exposure.

The purpose of prioritising the hazards is only for the order of addressing them.

All hazards must be considered, irrespective of the level of risk.

The combination of potential injury and level of exposure determines the level of risk.

Applying Control Measures

The application of control measures is the process of considering each hazard in turn and following the "hierarchy of controls" described below:

The steps to follow in the application of control measures are to:

(a) Eliminate the hazard, and
(b) Isolate the hazard from the worker - by distance or by time, and
(c) Minimise the hazard - by use of personal protective equipment and training, and
(d) Ensure workers are trained:

in working in the presence of the hazard
by using "standard work procedures "
to use personal protective equipment and
in the correct use and care of personal protective equipment.

The aim of this process is to eliminate or reduce the potential effects of hazards.

Testing, certification and inspection

(B) Refresher course candidates are required to have a good working knowledge of:

The requirements of the Electricity Regulations 1997, AS/NZS 3000, and AS/NZS 3760, and
Testing and inspection – General

(a) The definition of the terms “testing” and “inspection”, and
(b) The types of installation work which can only be inspected by a registered electrical inspector, and
(c) The installations that are subject to periodic inspections by a registered electrical inspector, and

Testing of electrical installations

(a) The specific tests that are required by AS/NZS 3000 and state the types of test instruments required to perform those tests, and
(b) The methods of carrying out the tests referred to in NZS 3019, stating the minimum and maximum values (where appropriate) that are acceptable, and
(c) The requirements of regulation 41 which states the installation work requiring inspection by a registered electrical inspector prior to connection to the power supply, and
(d) The tests for installation wiring work as detailed under regulation 41 plus the compliance documentation are required to be completed prior to inspection.
(e) Who is responsible for performing the prescribed tests associated with the completion of the compliance documentation involving:

self certification – work which does not require independent inspection
work requiring inspection – by a independent registered electrical inspector
work that has been done in accordance with the regulations 37, 39 and 40 and understand that a Certificate of Compliance must be:

completed within one day of the work being completed or the termination of the contract for the work whichever is sooner [regulation 39(5)]; and
one copy of the certificate must be given to the person for whom the work was carried out within 20 working days of the work being completed [regulation 40(2)]; and
one copy must be retained for three years or returned to the EWRB [regulation 40 (4) and (5)].

(f) Understand that certifying prescribed electrical work means that the work is electrically safe and has been tested in accordance with the regulatory requirements.

Accidents that have been reported within the previous twelve months

(C) All refresher course candidates are required to have a general knowledge of the summary of reported electrical accidents produced by the Energy Safety Service.

Safe working practices

General

Many factors can enhance safety in the work place, amongst which sensible, considerate behaviour and good housekeeping rank high.

A knowledge of the right way of carrying out tasks and the use of appropriate protective tools and equipment are also important.

Behaviour

The keypoint of good behaviour is for work to be carried out with due consideration for a person's own safety and the safety of others at all times.

Good behaviour requires that a responsible attitude is taken towards work, and includes

carrying out instructions properly, and
asking if in doubt, and
rectifying or reporting all unsafe conditions, and
using correct tools and equipment, and
keeping any workplace clean and tidy, and
not distracting others or indulging in horseplay, and
wearing or using the protective clothing or equipment provided, and
not starting machinery unless authorised, and
wearing or using the protective clothing or equipment provided, and
not starting machinery unless authorised, and
obeying all safety rules and signs, and
using only authorised tools and equipment, and
not leaving tools on the floor or where they can fall on people below
not wearing loose or torn clothing, and
taking extra care when members of the public are present (they may not be as aware of hazards or as well protected against them as you are).

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Page Last Modified: 2006-08-31

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