What happens if I can’t finish a job, how can I certify that work?

Find out what you should do if you cannot complete or return to a job.

  • Certification

Overview

All work you carry out must be electrically safe at all times, including:

  • while you’re working on it
  • at the end of the day
  • if you leave it temporarily, or permanently for any reason.

No work regardless of what stage of completion is allowed to be in a condition that would pose an immediate or potential danger to people or property.

If a piece of work or a job must be left partially completed for whatever reason and you are unable to return to complete it, the following steps should apply:

  • stop work if you cannot proceed safety, for whatever reason
  • it’s your responsibility to make certain your work is electrically safe and that your work will also not affect the safety of any other part of the installation. Any circuits you worked on or installed that, have accessible exposed insulation or terminations must be isolated and labelled
  • removing a circuit breaker or “taping off” a switch is not leaving a circuit electrically safe, the circuit needs to be disconnected from the supply
  • visually check and test all your work, even if it’s partially complete. For example, if it were the prewire stage, make a visual check, and complete the insulation resistance test as far as you can
  • Issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for all work that is completed or partially completed and state which parts of the installation (if any) are safe to connect
  • If you still have any concerns regarding safety of the installation that is not within your control, inform the owner or occupier and WorkSafe(external link) as soon as possible.

Managing the risk

To manage the risks associated with partially completed work, document all relevant details and issue a CoC. Clearly state what work you did when, and any work done by others, including:

  • Tests carried out
  • Photographs
  • Drawing and diagrams
  • Certified designs (if applicable)
  • Supplier Declarations of Conformity (SDoC) as appropriate
  • Noticeably highlight on the CoC what work (if any) is safe to connect. It may be the case that no work is safe to connect.

Issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC)

A CoC is required to be issued for work including partially completed work, whether or not it is connected or livened. The CoC should have a clear description of the work that was actually done including dates and all tests carried out. You must specify the partially completed work that is not safe to connect.

An Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC should only be issued if the work or parts of the work have been livened and are safe to use.

The CoC must be provided to the person who contracted the work within 20 working days after completing the work or the date from which you are unable to complete the work for whatever reason.

Taking these steps will put you in a better position for any future debt recovery or complaints process.