What should I do when I find non-compliant or unsafe work?
What to do when you spot non-compliant or unsafe electrical work.
- Best practice
Overview
If you are a registered licensed electrical worker and you believe that an installation, fitting or appliance is an immediate danger to life or property, you must act.
You have a legal obligation to:
- tell the owner or occupier where the danger is, and
- tell WorkSafe New Zealand as soon as possible.
To tell WorkSafe you can contact the Energy Safety division of WorkSafe New Zealand by freephone on 0800 030 040.
Energy Safety(external link) — Worksafe New Zealand
Reporting non-compliant work
You can make a complaint to the Board about non-compliant electrical work. This includes work done by a registered person or a person who is not registered. You can also complain if someone told you, or someone else, to do the non-compliant work. If you believe a company caused unacceptable electrical work, you can make a complaint about the company as well.
You can make a complaint in writing. This includes email or a letter. Your complaint must include all the details asked for in the complaint form.
Report someone doing unlicensed electrical work
You can also complain to the Board if you know a person or a company that is doing electrical work without a licence or authorisation. Your complaint can also be made in writing or email. Your complaint must include all the details asked for in the complaint form.
Assessment of complaints
Both customers and licensed electrical workers can make complaints with the Electrical Workers Registration board (EWRB).
Upon receiving a complaint, the Registrar will first review the circumstances and determine if the complaint requires further investigation. For example, a complaint laid by a licensed electrical worker against another licensed electrical worker should be supported by strong evidence that the work undertaken is non-compliant, and casts serious doubt as to the skills, knowledge or competency of that person to do prescribed electrical work.