News and notices
Keep up to date with news from the Board.
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Serene bathroom heaters — urgent safety recall
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) still have an active recall notice for the Serene S2068 bathroom heater and encourage electrical workers to continue to look out for them.
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Disciplinary hearings – February 2025
Flavio Galvao The Board decided that the Respondent committed disciplinary offences related to work carried out around 2 December 2023. The offences were: one offence in breach of s143(b)(ii) of the Act and one offence in breach of s143(f) of the Act. The Respondent agreed that he had...
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Installation of Electric Vehicle charging equipment
The increasing use of Electric Vehicles (EVs), and the demand for faster charging rates, will place higher loading demands on existing installations, especially domestic installations.
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Electrical Code of Practice 46 – New Zealand Electrical Code of Practice for High Voltage Live Line Work.
This Code sets out the minimum industry standards for high voltage live line work. The Code applies to all work on live high voltage overhead lines using approved procedures, tools and equipment, by persons holding the minimum competencies under this Code
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Section 158 Review of the Electricity Act
The Board must, once every five years, provide a report to the Minister of Building and Construction which reviews the operation of the Electricity Act. The report must consider whether any amendments to the Act are necessary or desirable.
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AS/NZS 3017:2007 – Electrical Installations – Verification Guidelines
AS/NZS 3017 sets out the common test and inspection methods required to verify that a low voltage, MEN electrical installation complies with safety requirements for the prevention of fire, or a person or livestock sustaining an electric shock.
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Industry Engagement
The Board will also be consulting with industry this year on possible changes to license classes, its Section 158 review of the Electricity Act and its concept for the future of competency programmes.
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Always Use the Right Fittings
The bulletin outlines that a registered and licensed electrician was fatally injured while working on a dairy farm water pump system in a very small pump shed.
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Switchboard Labelling
The Board often deals with complaints which involve switchboards. It has observed that there is often an over reliance on the manufacturer’s labels or switches that are provided with the board.
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Warrant of electrical fitness (WOEF) warning
With the holiday season around the corner it is timely to remind electrical workers of the requirements for WOEF which are set out in regulation 78 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.
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Supplier Declarations of Conformity
A Supplier Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) is required for declared medium risk articles that are sold in New Zealand.
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New standards added to the library
Two additional standards have been added to the EWRB online library.
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Safe living with electricity
Important safe living with electricity message.
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Open expression of interest for the Future Members programme
Licensed electrical workers who are interested in participating in the Boards' aspiring or Future Board Member programme are asked to register their interest
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Shining a light on a dark time – an interview with Dave Burt
Dave Burt is an owner and director of Team Cabling, an electrical business that operates in Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Christchurch. In February this year Dave published his first book ‘Lengthening the Shadow’.
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What is the Electricity and Gas High-risk Database?
The Electricity and Gas High-risk Database holds records of gas and electrical work that has been classified as high-risk. This database was created on 1 July 2013 and is administered by Energy Safety, a division of WorkSafe.
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Construction Sites: AS/NZS 3012:2010
AS/NZS 3012:2010 Electrical installations—Construction and demolition sites, applies to a wide range of electrical installations associated with construction and demolition.
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Penalty, Costs and Publication
This article continues the series of articles about the disciplinary process in the Electricity Act. It looks at the Board’s disciplinary powers following a finding that an electrical worker has committed a disciplinary offence.
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New Board Members and Aspiring Board Members
Two new members, Ashley Yan and Russell Keys, joined the Board in June.
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Registrars renewal round update – out with the old, in with the new!
Renewal invitations will be sent 3 months prior to the expiry of your licence with follow up reminders thereafter.
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AS/NZS 4836:2011 – Your Best Safety Friend?
AS/NZS 4836 deals with “safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment”. It covers a wide range of safety issues that electrical workers face every day.
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Renewal round update – full steam ahead!
The biennial renewal round for electrical worker (EW) practising licences is underway. Currently, just under 40% of EWs have renewed their practising licences. If you haven’t already, it’ll be a load off your mind to get your renewal completed early
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Complaints - making and avoiding complaints
This article focuses on how to avoid complaints; when to make a complaint about others; and electrical worker obligations to report electrical accidents to WorkSafe and to notify WorkSafe of situations which present an immediate danger to life or property
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E-book for electrical workers - Standard: AS/NZS 3019:2007
This eBook standard is only accessible via the Board’s standards subscription. All licensed electrical workers have free access to this eBook as well as 83+ other electrical related standards.
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Time and client pressures - safety comes first
The Board often hears from electrical workers that the reason behind them doing non-compliant work was that they were under pressure from a client or that they let their standards slip because of general work pressures.
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What happens if I can’t finish a job, how can I certify that work?
Situations like this can be difficult to manage because this partially completed electrical work can pose safety risks and uncertainty for both parties. It raises questions with regards to who carries responsibility for uncompleted work.
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Gazette Notice updates
In April this year, two Gazette notices were published, replacing 2017 Notices containing errors. The Notices have been updated in relation to clarifying Electrical Service Technician (EST) limits of work and other minor errors
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Computer-based Exams – A message from Aspeq
Aspeq is delighted to be delivering computer electrical worker registration exams. The first exam delivered during August 2018 was very well received. Aspeq will be providing electrical worker examinations on a regular schedule in the future.
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Mains polarity verification testing
We’ve added two new how-to infographics to the Electrical Workers Toolbox that demonstrate safety verification polarity tests with the use of an independent earth probe.
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Testing and tagging electrical appliances
Testing and tagging electrical appliances is one useful way to check electrical equipment is safe. It's not mandatory but what is legally required is that equipment is electrically safe and maintained in a safe condition.
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Toolbox – Learn from others mistakes
The team have added a helpful resource to the electrical workers toolbox called ‘Learn from others mistakes’ where you can do just that. The resource consists of information displaying real life examples of unsafe and non-compliant electrical work.
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Caravans
Christmas is coming and so will the demand for caravan electrical repairs and Warrants of Electrical Fitness (WOEFs).
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Complaints – What happens when a complaint is made?
This is the second article about the disciplinary process. It focuses on what happens after a complaint has been made about an electrical worker.
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Disciplinary Hearings - July - Sept 2018
The following is a summary of the hearings held by the Board from July through to September 2018. There are also some more detailed articles on cases the Board considers other electrical workers could learn from.
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Expression of interest for EWRB members (two positions)
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is seeking expressions of interest for two new Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) members.
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The Electricity and Gas High-risk database
The Electricity and Gas High-risk database holds records of electrical and gas work which is classed as being high risk. The database provides public access to key information about where high-risk work is done and by whom.
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Electrical safety inspection
Electrical fires pose a high risk to individuals and property. Fires are commonly caused by loose electrical connections, failing insulation and poor maintenance of electrical equipment.
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What is an electrical risk?
An electrical risk is a risk to a person of death, shock or other injury caused directly or indirectly by electricity.
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Electrical standards in new digital formats: Let us know what you think
Standards New Zealand has published an electrical standard as an ebook and they would like your feedback. Hard copy and PDF standards have their use, but with more people reading from their phones, something else is needed.
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Complaints and prosecutions - grounds for a complaint
This is the first of a series of articles that will discuss complaints and prosecutions. Over the series of articles, the various processes will be stepped through and guidance will be provided for those who have complaints made about them.
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e-Learning modules
From the beginning of 2018, all electrical workers are required to complete 2 e-Learning modules before attending an approved Board competency programme.
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Managing safety on small construction sites
Did you know that WorkSafe (Energy Safety) has published a guide that provides information about electrical supply and safety on small construction sites?
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Managing asbestos
Businesses must now take greater responsibility for managing asbestos in their workplaces.
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Prosecution - EWRB v Daryn Noel Leaity
The Board found Daryn Noel Leaity, an Electrical Inspector of Auckland, guilty of disciplinary offences under the Electricity Act 1992 and fined him $2,500 and ordered him to pay costs of $1,000.
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Certification
Certification must be completed and provided for all prescribed electrical work. This includes carrying out the maintenance, repair or replacement of fittings and appliances.
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Why should an electrical inspector ask to see an electrical worker's licence?
Inspectors have a vital responsibility as the “final step” to verify the safety of high risk electrical work. This responsibility carries a legal obligation to conduct whatever tests and actions are required to ensure the work will be completed safely.
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Changes to the 'wiring rules' - a note on the regulatory status of AS/NZS 3000:2018
Standards Australia announced that a new edition of AS/NZS 3000:2018 (the 'wiring rules') is expected to be published in March 2018. Standards New Zealand is likely to approve the new standard soon. It is likely to be adopted in late 2019.
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What the Internet of Things will bring to the Electrical sector
As we connect more and more things to the internet, we embark on a long and intrepid journey creating a new industry called “The Internet of Things (IOT)”.
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What constitutes a Certified Design
The Electricity and Gas Regulations 2010 provide for the use of a certified design to modify the installation standards’ requirements that apply to electrical and gas appliances and fittings, and ensure that essential safety requirements are met.
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Gas appliances certified to AS/NZS 5263-series standards
Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand have now published specific type standards in the AS/NZS 5263 Gas appliances series of standards. These replace older Australian gas appliance standards.
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Flame safeguard on gas appliances certified to AS/NZS 5263.1.1
Changes to certification requirements for domestic gas certification in Australia took effect from 1 July 2017.
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Strategic projects - update
The EWRB board and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment are undertaking two projects to ensure the quality and integrity of the registration and licensing systems for electrical workers.
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Moving towards a digital marketplace with the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
Over time, the NZBN will enable new services and innovations across finance, customer service, procurement, supply chain management, data and more.
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Supervision
From time to time you may be supervising another electrical worker. The following is a general summary of what is required when you are supervising.
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Technological changes and the electrical sector
The routine of everyday life gives the impression that there will never be change. This is incorrect. Early in the 20th Century electricity did not exist. Today it is essential for the enjoyment of our high living standards.
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Using LED lamps as replacements for conventional lamps in hazardous area light fittings
The use of LED lamps as replacements for conventional lamps in hazardous area ‘Ex’ fittings will invalidate the certification of the fittings.
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Electrical installations in caravans
Energy Safety reminds importers and suppliers of caravans and other recreational vehicles that the electrical installations in many imported caravans do not meet New Zealand standards.
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Common safety issues with electrical work
Did you know there are common electrical safety issues? Here are seven of them.
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Strategic projects
The EWRB board and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment are undertaking two projects this year to ensure the quality and integrity of the registration and licensing systems for electrical workers.
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Building wiring cables investigation update
WorkSafe advised on August 2017 that they were investigating the compliance of building wiring cable from a number of suppliers. The investigation is now primarily concentrated on cable imported by one company