The Master Electrician magazine Summer 2012 by Master Electricians Australia

Registered by Australia Post Publications No. PP424022/2346

inside What’s your carbon status The Gorgon Project Lighting up the crease Make sure what’s yours is yours THE INTERVIEW: Trevor St Baker

summer 12

themaster

table of contents Average Net Distribution 30 634 CAB Audited as of September 2011

renewable energy spotlight

fix mistakes: maximise profits

general news

the buzz

lighting up the crease

a seminal summer

meet a master electrician

the gorgon project

energy use is down

news from the distributors

regulator wrap up

letter of the law

the interview

gadget guide

techno biz

technical talk

workplace relations

make sure what’s yours is yours

all about ME

test drive

events calendar

best or worst story

the last word

General Enquiries Master Electricians Australia PO Box 2438, Fortitude Valley BC Queensland 4006 PHONE 1300 889 198 FAX 1800 622 914 EMAIL magazine@masterelectricians.com.au WEB www.masterelectricians.com.au ABN 31 145 178 203

Editorial Contacts & Contributors EDITOR Malcolm Richards ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kylie Robinson ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Janelle MacDonald PHONE 07 3252 4860 EMAIL magazine@masterelectricians.com.au DESIGN AND PRINT POMO 07 3844 3873

Welcome to the SUMMER edition of The Master Electrician.

www.masterelectricians.com.au or call 1300 889 198

The Master Electrician is printed on environmentally responsible paper sourced from accredited sustainable forestry plantations. The paper is made with Elemental Chlorine Free pulps (ECF) Disclaimer: The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are offered solely in pursuance of the objects of the Electrical Contractors Association and Master Electricians Australia to provide an informative service to contractors in the electrical industry on legal, commercial and other issues and problems related to the industry. The Electrical Contractors Association and Master Electricians Australia are not aware that any person intends to act or rely upon such statements and opinions contained in this publication or the manner in which it might be possible to do so. The Electrical Contractors Association and Master Electricians Australia issues no invitation to any member or other persons to act or rely upon such statements or opinions or any of them and it accepts no responsibility for any of them. It intends by this provision to exclude, to the extent permitted by law, all liability for any such statements and opinions. The Master Electrician Magazine can be viewed online at www.masterelectricians.com.au

2011 was a significant year for the electrical industry with many contractors facing varying degrees of success and hardship through overcoming regulatory, economic, staff and environmental challenges. If 2011 taught us anything, it is that cash is definitely king. Maintaining a positive cash flow cycle and keeping debtors at bay is just one way you can maximise your profits. Turn to page 6 to see how fixing simple mistakes can set your business up for financial success in 2012. Sydney City Council has been bestowed the title of Australia’s first carbon neutral city – find out how on page 4. Did you know that 130 kilometres off the northwest coast of Australia lies the largest single resource project ever undertaken in Australia? Find out why electricians across the country are flocking to this iconic island. Trevor St Baker is a name synonymous with energy generation in this country. He was the mastermind behind ERM Power, an ASX listed company which has been helping to power Australia for decades. Turn to page 36 to find out about his inspirational journey. Until next time. Kylie Robinson Associate Editor

The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

feature renewable energy spotlight

What’s your carbon status? Zoe Knobel expends some energy analysing the global trend towards carbon neutrality.

In an age when cutting carbon emissions is just as important as cutting costs, governments and private enterprises all over the world are scrambling to achieve something called “carbon neutral status”.

The City of Sydney Council was the first to the post in Australia, certified as ‘carbon neutral’ under the National Carbon Offset Standard thanks to investments in renewable energy and the purchase of carbon pollution offsets. Capital cities are responsible for nearly a quarter of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and Sydney Council is challenging its interstate counterparts to step up their efforts. While others are in the race, they’re lagging embarrassingly far behind. The City of Melbourne is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2020 while Brisbane City Council has the distant goal of 2026 and Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore has urged them to pick up the pace. “If the other capitals adopted similar programs to the City of Sydney, they could contribute 40 per cent to the national five per cent reduction target,” he said. Even their elaborate New Year’s Eve event, complete with dazzling fireworks, was certified as carbon neutral. Now they’ve attained their goal of zero net emissions, Sydney’s going one step further www.masterelectricians.com.au

to meet an ambitious emissions reduction target of 70 per cent by 2030, committing to spend $18 million to cut carbon dioxide emissions from Council property by almost half this year.

“If the other capitals adopted similar programs to the City of Sydney, they could contribute 40 per cent to the national five per cent reduction target.” Locals will find that many of their community centres and public facilities have been retrofitted with solar photovoltaic panels and solar water heating, measures which have already resulted in an 18 per cent reduction of emissions. The future is even cleaner and brighter with energy efficient LED street lighting and a $12 million solar panel project. But the real wind in their sails, aside from the carbon credits purchased from wind farms, is the low-carbon trigeneration energy network which will produce electricity, heating and cooling for the city’s buildings. Two electric cars and more than 20 dieselelectric hybrid trucks will also join the Council’s fleet and new exhaust systems fitted to another 84 trucks will reduce transport emissions by 30 per cent.

The carbon neutral trend has been growing steadily for several years and some cities have taken less traditional routes to attain the coveted environmentally-conscious status. Masdar City in Abu Dhabi is a futuristic project boasting “pioneering technologies” to tackle climate change and claimed it was the world’s first carbon neutral city in May last year. The city is in fact still under construction, spanning six square kilometres and estimated to cost up to $US30 billion from the deep pockets of one Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who will preside over its residents. Eventually 50,000 people will call the eco-friendly city home. If you do the maths, building the city will cost $US5 billion per square kilometre, in each of which just over 8,000 people will live. So the development is worth $600,000 per resident. To limit the city’s carbon footprint, there are no skyscrapers or cars in the urban plan. Driverless personalised rapid transit (PRTs) pod cars and trains are available instead. But it’s not just sheikhs and councils who are going green, small businesses all over the world are recognising the value in looking out for the environment. Chloe Evans from The Carbon Reduction Institute manages the ‘No CO2’ program which helps organisations to measure,

reduce and offset their climate change impacts. She said there’s been a spike in inquiries from businesses in the wake of the government’s carbon pricing scheme, effectively bringing the environment back to the forefront of public debate. “We’ve always had a broad range of clients,” Ms Evans said. “Accountants, lawyers, manufacturers, freight carriers, cleaners, IT businesses and real estate agencies are just a few.” The Carbon Reduction Institute is one of several Australian companies who businesses can hire to audit their levels of carbon pollution, provide a plan to reduce them as much as possible and arrange the necessary carbon offsets so the business is left with net zero emissions. “It’s a fairly new marketplace where you pay a price per tonne of carbon dioxide you want to offset. Prices vary but they’re generally between $5 and $20 per tonne. Like other industries, the quality of offsets

and providers varies widely and the price fluctuates with the market.” Paying to be carbon neutral is a considerable investment so a business needs to assess whether it is a financially viable decision, but Ms Evans says the outcomes are worth the outlay. “Having carbon neutral status adds real value to your business. Carbon reduction projects deliver high social and economic benefits and consumers respond to that.” One of The Carbon Reduction Institute’s verified carbon offset schemes is a project that generates power from biomass in India. When rice husks are left in fields to rot they emit methane, polluting the atmosphere. The project has created a new economy in which people are paid to remove the waste which is then used as a fuel to generate electricity. “It’s really beneficial socially and has helped develop new infrastructure in the region,” Ms Evans said.

“For some, carbon neutrality is a philanthropic choice to take action against climate change, but it’s also useful in company profiling as it delivers reputational and competitive advantages. It provides a point of differentiation by showing leadership in industry. It’s a very marketable tool and appeals directly to environmentally-friendly consumers. “It’s the same for Sydney Council – carbon neutral status has given them a kind of halo. They’re viewed as pioneers in the field, both here and internationally. “Twenty years ago organic and fair-trade certification was first in the spotlight; today, the organic industry is one of the largest market segments and is still growing. It’s a real consideration in consumers’ purchase choices. Carbon neutral status can be seen the same way. “It allows you to satisfy and often exceed the expectations of your customers and stakeholders.”

The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

feature

Fix mistakes: maximise profits Things every contractor needs to know to improve their business

Lynelle Hills has lived and breathed the massive changes in regulatory compliance in the electrical industry during the last 20 years. “Back then it was a different world,” said Mrs Hills, who has since become the Chief Financial and Commercial Officer of simPRO Software. “At that stage I was running an electrical business with my husband. Tracking stock, onthe-job documentation and risk assessments was unknown. “Even with a fine-tuned paper system, I dread to think of how many jobs were not invoiced out, or not billed correctly, and I remember many contractors saying they only billed out when the bank balance was low.” With today’s lightning-fast technological advances and ferocious competition, this kind of relaxed business ethos is a thing of the past. But the mistakes modern contractors are making can jeopardise a company’s growth to the same degree. As one of Master Electricians Australia’s corporate partners, simPRO aims to educate contractors on where they’re going wrong, and what tools they need in their kit to fix it. Mrs Hills said the company recognises three common factors which, if implemented, could improve their bottom line. 1) Managing cash flow effectively “You will have heard time and time again that cash flow is king, so you probably know that to be true, but what do you specifically need to consider as an electrical contractor to effectively manage cash flow?” Mrs Hills asks. “What type of work you do dramatically impacts how you manage cash flow. If you are predominantly a service oriented business you would need to manage the high-volume, low-value work effectively to keep the cash flow cycle as short as possible. That means ensuring jobs are completed on the first visit, that all paperwork is completed correctly and

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the job is invoiced immediately. “If your focus is on projects then you really need to consider the amount of working capital you have and ensure that you can fund the project to the point that the bills start getting paid. The reality is that this can be 60, 90 or even 120 days from when you started paying money out of your pocket. And to ensure that doesn’t blow out further, you must have controls in place to be aware of your costs to date and monies owed with a system in place to control debtors,” she advises. “If you do a combination of service and projects, you probably find that you financially run the business on the service team and take the profits from projects. If that is the case, then it is critically important to keep your cash flow cycle as short as possible. This will ensure consistent cash flow and enable you to fund the projects. “As the business owner, you need to identify the sectors that are draining the cash resources. Some of our clients `fire’ their unprofitable clients and change the mix of their work based on profitability reports.”

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“If your focus is on projects then you really need to consider the amount of working capital you have and ensure that you can fund the project to the point that the bills start getting paid...” “Some people forget the importance of ‘change management’,” Mrs Hills said, referring to a business concept where owners and managers take a more active role in growing their business. “Too often, owners don’t put in properly controlled systems; rather they let them evolve over time, then as the business grows the owner starts working 70 – 80 hour weeks trying to keep up. “Without systems and trained staff everything in the business then needs to filter through the owner. Staff don’t have the ability to make decisions or take action without checking with the boss. This hampers their productivity and compounds the workload of the owner who is then unable to set direction for the business and is instead turned into an administrator,” she warns. Mrs Hills said system change requires the introduction of business tools and a positive approach to change management, which may include digitising the business. “Today’s apprentices particularly are

very tech-savvy. They’re familiar with the iPhone and iPad technology that management systems can link to and facilitate timely information updates on-site. This allows you to speed up the cash flow in the electrical service cycle by having completed job sheets returned to the office the minute the job is done, not floating around in vans for weeks,” Mrs Hills said. 3) Understanding and managing direct and indirect costs According to simPRO, every business owner needs to ask themselves four questions.

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1. What is the breakeven point in your business? 2. What is your hourly overhead rate? 3. What is your true labour cost? 4. What is your profit on material sales? “The answers to these questions are the key to profitability,” Mrs HiIls said. “The underlying cost structure of your business again depends on what type of business you run. This can vary greatly from being a general service contractor to a project oriented contractor, or you may work in a sector with a high material-tolabour ratio, such as solar. “Not fully understanding and managing your overheads means that when you quote on a job or project, you are really going in blind in regards to your ability to cover the costs of running the business. You can easily be highly successful in generating work for the business, but still go out the door backwards by not managing this critical area.” If you would like information about the simPRO software system, contact 1300 139 467.

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2) Putting in business systems and procedures According to simPRO, a fundamental flaw that creeps into many businesses is that the owner becomes trapped in a cycle of ‘over-working’, meaning they’re unable to step back to see the big picture and set strategic goals.

Ampere Electrical Manufacturing Co. Pty. Ltd. 168-176 High St Prahran Victoria, 3181. Tel (03) 9510 4333, 9510 2428 Fax (03) 9510 5940 Toll Free: 1800 AMPERE (1800 267 373) www.ampere.com.au

The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

general news

Power Integration awarded 2011 Master Electrician of the Year The 2011 Master Electricians Australia Awards of Excellence were held last November to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in the electrical industry.

The highly coveted Master Electrician of the Year Award was bestowed upon Power Integration, a company who prides itself on being a ‘new breed’ of contractor. The medium-sized firm was chosen by a panel of judges for their business growth, strong emphasis on staff training and dedication to creating a positive company culture. Power Integration Director Glen Powell said they became an Accredited Master Electrician to ensure they were at the forefront of the industry.

“Power Integration epitomises what Master Electricians is all about, quality, professionalism and safety.”

“We push our own boundaries to ensure the most accurate, upto-date practices and products are available to our clients so we remain at the forefront of the electrical and technology revolution. “As not only an electrical company, but also a technology company, we truly see ourselves as the ‘new breed’ of electricians. We service the needs of our customers by combining their home and work environments by connecting technologies with the flexibility only an IT guru can seem to handle,” said Mr Powell. From humble beginnings, Power Integration has quickly grown from a small family business with no marketing or strategic plan, to a focussed, strategically driven, medium sized business. Initially, their primary focus was on providing an integrated approach to traditional electrical, communication, security and audiovisual installations for the luxury residential market. Now they’ve branched out into volume projects, commercial, service and maintenance and energy efficiency. However, despite their success in the field, Mr Powell believes that the secret to their success is in their people. “We have created a strong culture which is something we believe is our biggest achievement. We have established a vibrant, dynamic, innovative and diverse environment with a strong supportive team that holds a strong work ethic,” said Mr Powell. Mr Powell appreciates that a large portion of their staff’s week www.masterelectricians.com.au

2011 Master Electrician of the Year winners Power Integration with Master Electricians Australia Group CEO. L-R: Glen Powell, Malcolm Richards, Kent Bradford

is spent at work and understands that it is their job to create an atmosphere that is not only professional but also one that their team love to work in. “We have monthly breakfast BBQ’s for information sharing, from job feedback to our refined strategic plan. These conversations are invaluable to keep everyone across company matters.” A strategy that must be working as the business has doubled in size over the last 12 months. With a passion for safety, Power Integration is an active member of the SafetyConnect program, and as a result, maintains a dynamic set of quality and safety procedures. “Over the coming years, we plan to incorporate ISO9001 Quality Management System in to our business to assist us to meet our long-term growth of becoming a national company,” Mr Powell said. Their passion for technology is evident in all of their operations which allow staff to both communicate and work efficiently through a range of non-traditional channels including Facebook, a WIKI application and a cloud based storage system so jobs can be updated via iPads and iPhones onsite. They hold a strong commitment to training and mentoring and currently host fortnightly in-house sessions to ensure all of their staff are remaining at the forefront of technology and innovation. Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards was pleased to give recognition to such an outstanding electrical contractor which personifies the Master Electricians brand. “Power Integration epitomises what Master Electricians is all about, quality, professionalism and safety. Master Electricians Accreditation identifies businesses as national leaders in the electrical industry. It is a mark of excellence, communicating trust and integrity to clients,” Mr Richards said. The company also received the award for Domestic Project of the Year for their work on a luxury riverfront home in Brisbane.

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the buzz

Non compliant products could cost you $82,000 The maximum penalty for selling, importing, hiring or exchanging unmarked or unapproved electrical goods is $82,500 and/or two years imprisonment for an individual or $825,000 for a corporation. In addition, there is also the potential for civil suits for damages to property and loss of life, which could run into millions of dollars. So Clipsal are warning - beware, buy smart and don’t risk it. Purchasing electrical products these days can be a legal battlefield. It is often difficult to determine exactly who will take responsibility for any damages, should a product fail. You would assume that the manufacturer or even the wholesaler would take responsibility. However, this is not always the case. You may well find yourself unwittingly responsible for damages caused by inferior products. With the increase in the number of smaller manufacturers and distributors entering the electrical market, there are greater opportunities for unscrupulous companies to sell inferior products that don’t comply to Australian Standards. And the risk for you, as the electrical contractor who bought the goods and installed them in good faith, comes down to whether you can trust the distributor or

Physical purchases Trusted wholesaler Reputable manufacturer Wholesaler or distributor of products that don’t comply Manufacturer of products that don’t comply

✔ ✔ ✘

Trusted wholesalers will support product failures under warranty Reputable manufacturers will support product failures under warranty YOU or your company are liable for all damages caused by a product fault if supplier can’t be traced

✘

YOU or your company are liable for all damages caused by a product fault if supplier can’t be traced

✔ ✘

Trusted wholesalers will support product failures under warranty YOU or your company are liable for all damages caused by a product fault if supplier can’t be traced

✘

YOU or your company are liable for all damages caused by a product fault

Online purchases Trusted wholesaler Domestic distributor of products that don’t comply Overseas distributor

manufacturer of that product. Will they do the right thing should the product fail? The liability for an electrical contractor installing products that don’t comply with Australian Electrical Standards is not clear cut. Clipsal has prepared a table which outlines the most common ways of purchasing a product, so you can determine who is likely to be responsible.

Australia’s “greenest” industrial complex opens at Eagle Farm in Brisbane Qld Energy Minister Stephen Robertson has opened Australia’s first Four Star Green Star industrial design building ENERGEX’s new $21 million logistics warehouse at Eagle Farm. Mr Robertson said the distribution centre, was the first building of its type in the country to receive such a high environmental rating from the Green Building Council of Australia. “The new facility, located on a 52,000plus square metre site in the Australia TradeCoast Central precinct, features

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20,000-plus square metres of storage and work space,” Mr Robertson said. “The facility has a range of purpose designed features such as energy-efficient lighting, air-conditioning, double glazing and alternative roofing materials which will not only reduce ENERGEX’s carbon footprint, but also ongoing logistical costs. Mr Robertson said since 2006/07, ENERGEX had reduced carbon emissions by 12 per cent and is aiming for an overall reduction of 20 per cent by 2015 and 33 per cent by 2020.

The table above only intends to briefly present the main exposure to legal risks but does not constitute legal advice and may vary depending on circumstances. If you would like more information about the risks in buying and installing products that don’t comply, or how to identify risky products, visit clipsal.com/DontRiskIt

Height limiter system to prevent electrocution of workers Saving lives and preventing electrocution of workers was the motivation behind Southern Grampians Shire Council’s customised ‘height limiter’ system. The council worked with a local manufacturer, Henry Hydraulics, to develop a device that automatically stops machines and activates an alarm if they got too close to high-voltage power lines, reducing the risk of electrocution or serious burns.

Clean Energy Regulator to commence in April 2012

Good advice protects the electrical industry

The administrative body for the Federal Government’s newly passed carbon pricing mechanism, the Clean Energy Regulator, will begin operation from 2 April 2012.

Clipsal by Schneider Electric is launching a pilot programme aimed at passing on hard earned business knowledge and skills from one generation of successful electrical contractors to the next.

The Clean Energy Regulator will be responsible for administering the carbon pricing mechanism, the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System, the Renewable Energy Target and the Carbon Farming Initiative.

Simply known as “Clipsal Crew,” the program is eligible to young electricians under the age of 30, provided they are nominated by their employers.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, said this time frame will allow administrative, financial and governance arrangements to be developed before the initial carbon price liability period commences on 1 July 2012. “Work is already underway to identify the Chair and other members of the Board for the Clean Energy Regulator,” Mr Combet said.

The program will include a number of key business events offering advice on best business practices, innovation, electrical standards advice and more - all designed to protect and safeguard the future of the industry. Clipsal Crew is a first for the electrical industry. The trial program was launched in November in Clipsal’s Head Office in SA and has already attracted 70 members. If successful, Clipsal Crew will go national.

Wiring rules FAQs now available

Hot Dry Rocks confirms power reserves Australia is sitting on vast reserves of geothermal energy sufficient enough to replace coal and gas-fired power 68 times over, according to recently-released data. The data, released by Australian geothermal consultancy Hot Dry Rocks, is the result of a new global protocol developed in partnership with Google and a team of geothermal experts, and estimates and maps the planet’s enhanced geothermal systems. The data shows that the rocks beneath Australia, within five km depth, store enough heat to provide 85 million MW of electricity – all of Australia’s current electricity demand for the next 50,000 years. The data from Hot Dry Rocks and Google found that if just two per cent of the estimated heat energy within five km beneath Australia’s surface is recovered with existing technologies, there is potentially 395,000 MW of power available – almost ten times that of coal or gas. Hot Dry Rocks Managing Director Graeme Beardsmore said it is a clean, renewable energy that is realistically accessible today with existing drilling and power conversion technologies.

The new edition of the Australian/New Zealand Standard for Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000:2007) was released in November 2007 and revised by Amendment 1 in July 2009. A frequently asked questions and answers document has now been developed to explain some of the issues which have been raised by users of the Standard. Produced by the joint Standards Australia/ Standards New Zealand Committee, EL001, the revised edition expands on issues relating to electrical installations, improves safeguards and, addresses the needs and expectations of stakeholders. To access frequently asked questions, visit www.wiringrules.com.au and click on the FAQ link.

The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

the buzz Check your stars are aligned How do you know if the star ratings on air conditioners really perform as they state on the label? CSIRO engineers have designed and commissioned a new, state-of-the-art air conditioner test facility to evaluate the electrical, cooling and heating performance of conventional and solar powered systems. The National Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Performance Test Facility, located at the CSIRO Energy Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales, is able to simulate the climate conditions of a winter in Hobart to a tropical summer in Darwin. CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship’s solar cooling research leader, Dr Stephen White, says the facility will greatly enhance Australia’s capability to perform ratings and Minimum Energy Performance (MEPS) testing of new and existing products on the Australian market. “For the large number of HVAC systems available in the Australian market, only a few test facilities exist to validate manufacturer’s claims regarding the thermal and electrical performance of their product,” Dr White said. This facility expands Australia’s capacity to undertake spot-checks on products already on the market, and validate new products, giving accurate information that can eventually be used for product labelling.

$5 million for innovative wave energy project $5 million in Victorian Government funding has been awarded to BioPower systems for a wave energy project that is based on mimicking the movement of seaweed. The $14 million BioPower demonstration project, to be located at Port Fairy in Victoria’s southwest, involves a 250 kW single wave energy unit which will be anchored to the sea floor and connected to the state’s electricity grid. The project funding was awarded under the Victorian Government’s Energy Technology Innovation Strategy. Project partners include AGL Energy, Bluescope Steel, Lend Lease, Swinburne University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney.

Construction commences on Australia’s first utility-scale solar farm Construction has commenced on the 10 MW Greenough River Solar Farm, located 50 km south of Geraldton in Western Australia. Once completed, the solar farm will be the first utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) project in Australia. Following civil work, the project will progress to on-site construction of structural supports and the completion of above ground electrical works. The installation of 150,000 First Solar PV modules is anticipated to begin in March 2012, with the solar farm expected to be fully operational by mid-2012. www.masterelectricians.com.au

The Victorian Government said that the project is an example of ‘biomimicry’, in which biological traits are utilised in engineered systems. The unit will be anchored to the sea floor 30 metres underwater and about 800 metres from shore.

100 Million Plus and Growing The ST-series of connectors in Belden’s range of Hirschmann™ products celebrates its 40th birthday, guaranteeing a reliable power supply over four decades. Since 1971, well over a hundred million of Hirschmann’s ST-series connectors have been produced. Product manager Hartmut Unverricht said “These power connectors have proven their reliability time and time again over the last 40 years in both indoor and outdoor applications. The ST-series offers the optimum solution for just about any possible scenario. It’s an example of where “fit and forget” truly applies”.

Small price

Big riSk Do the products you use comply? As Australia’s No.1 electrical brand, Clipsal’s greatest concern is the quality and safety of electrical products installed into people’s homes and workplaces. If you purchase or install inferior products that don’t comply with Australian Standards, you could risk your licence and hardearned reputation. You could also risk potential fines and jail terms. Most importantly, you could endanger people’s lives and their property. Clipsal design and manufacture quality products. You can be confident with the service and support you receive when you buy genuine Clipsal products from a trusted wholesaler. Don’t risk it… it’s just not worth it.

For more on how to avoid the risks, visit clipsal.com/Dontriskit

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feature lifestyle

Lighting up the crease This summer the Sydney Cricket Ground, our beloved SCG, will get a work out hosting a number of test matches and high-profile One Day International cricket matches. Whether you’re watching from the grandstand or the couch, Zoe Knobel investigates who lights-up the pitch for your viewing pleasure.

It sounds like every Aussie guy’s dream job – getting a bird’s eye view of our favourite summer pastime from the lighting towers high above the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“An overhaul was necessary to suit the use of multiple main, secondary and slow motion cameras for both International Cricket and AFL,” said Mr Foy.

However, keeping the lights on at the SCG isn’t as glamorous as it sounds. For starters, it involves working 70 metres above the ground, and often in extreme heat.

Webb Australia is no stranger to big jobs, as they are responsible for a number of other high-profile lighting designs such as Sydney Olympic Park and international projects including the grounds for the soccer World Cup being held in Doha, Qatar.

And sadly for sports fans, it’s rare that the techs are called in on game day anyway – with most of the hard work being done well ahead of time. The lighting system at the ground was upgraded in 2008 by consulting engineers Webb Australia Group, working closely with luminaire supplier Sylvania Lighting Australasia. Webb Australia was responsible for designing the lighting system before putting the installation work out to tender, and director Ian Foy said there were a number of unique considerations involved, as there are in all sports stadium jobs.

“To modernise the SCG, we replaced the old 3500 watt lamps with new 2000 watt lamps which not only saves power, but significantly improved lighting by 50 per cent. We still had to adhere to Australian TV broadcast standards by complying with 1400 lux on the field of play. “We also did lighting studies to meet the regulatory conditions for the project so there’d be no additional glare for local residents while complying with the Australian Standard 4282 to control the obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting.”

“The lights hadn’t been updated since they were installed over 30 years ago when Kerry Packer revolutionised cricket in 1978 and had lighting towers built so World Series Cricket could be played at night,” Mr Foy said.

Mr Foy said the design of the SCG lighting project came in at around $3 million, but Webb Australia Group is responsible for projects valued anywhere between $10,000 and a whopping $40 million, such as the recent development of the Westpac Place and data centre in Sydney.

Although they were primarily intended for illuminating wickets, the very first game to be played under the lights was a rugby league match. Nowadays only one NRL Heritage Round is played annually at the SCG.

Webb Australia modified more Packer property recently when they designed the lighting of James Packer’s own residence which presented significantly smaller challenges than the SCG.

www.masterelectricians.com.au

They also had to factor in the risks of working on the towers. “One of the greatest dangers involved in installation and maintenance was the heat. The lighting towers are made from steel, and the temperatures get very high within those columns. “When we modified them, we included new electrical switch boards and wireless control systems between columns, so there’s no physical cabling between the six towers.” Barnwell Cambridge Pty Ltd are the high voltage maintenance contractors for the SCG and Project Manager Brendan Peck agrees the job comes with its own set of challenges for his workers. “It’s a unique job, mostly due to the heights involved, so they’ve all done their Height Safety Awareness Training,” said Mr Peck. “It’s not run-of-the-mill for the guys, and it’s fairly high risk but it also gives them a sense of achievement.”

Barnwell Cambridge is responsible for checking the lights every six months and doing bulk replacements of bulbs, while the SCG Trust has a few electricians in-house for regular maintenance who test the lights before every event. “The lights are designed with a series of redundancies in place. They won’t all go out if one bulb blows, so we’re called in for more specific maintenance on a larger scale. It’s very rare that a fitting is fixed during a game or a live event. “Things have improved from 15 years ago when access to the lights at the top of the towers was more difficult, and the transformers were inside rather than external, which made the cavity very hot to work in. Back then it was like a funnel where the heat rose to the top. It’s more user-friendly now with better access and catwalks, but the temperature certainly isn’t comfortable.”

PHOTOGRAPHY: courtesy of Sylvania Lighting Australasia.

“When the new Victor Trumper spectator stand was being built, we had to take two lighting columns down and arrange temporary lighting from Fox Studios next door,” said Mr Foy.

So when you’re on your next job working on the downlights in a two-storey house, wiping the beads of sweat off your brow, spare a thought for the guys at the SCG, changing the bulbs in a 70-metre high oven.

The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

feature Archerfield substation was submerged in the Queensland floods, a catalyst for change in the electrical industry.

supply substations are located above flood levels, despite the fact that this may be in more valuable floor space in a commercial building. “In this process, we’re reminding owners and managers of CBD and other major buildings of the importance of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) in case of extended loss of power supply.”

A seminal summer A year on from eastern Australia’s unprecedented and widespread natural disasters, Zoe Knobel discovers how the electricity network authorities have changed the way they plan for, and respond to times of crisis.

A lot has been written about the floods and cyclones of early 2011, and the monumental effort by electricity distributors to get the power back to devastated communities as quickly as possible. Twelve months down the track, the focus has turned to rethinking the way electricity is supplied and how the associated plant and equipment can be safeguarded from natural disasters in the future. South-east Queensland distributor ENERGEX was faced with unprecedented damage to its equipment as a result of the Brisbane flood. ENERGEX’s Mike Swanston says every aspect of the business was affected. “In February 2011, we valued the loss of distribution transformers, switch fuse gear, substation relays and watt hour meters at a total of $3.4million, and that’s before the full extent of the aftermath was calculated.” As a result, ENERGEX is now undertaking a number of projects to improve the resilience of the zone substations affected by the flooding - mainly at Milton, Jindalee and Archerfield (pictured). “Flood resilience involves relocation and lifting of floor-mounted plant and auxiliaries, such as battery chargers, roller door control cubicles and supply outlets, and extending bunding around sensitive plant as well as establishing emergency disconnection points to minimise the extent of plant affected by inundation,” Mr Swanston said. ENERGEX is also lobbying government for further legislative power to ensure new building www.masterelectricians.com.au

The flood event was the first major test of ENERGEX’s Flood Management Plan, which has now been reviewed in light of the disasters. The arduous task of restoring power was aided by the working relationship established between ENERGEX and the electrical contracting industry. “Without contravening competitive market practices, ENERGEX was able to strike an effective process with the electrical contracting industry to offer fixed cost household safety inspections as a precursor to the restoration of mains power to the premises,” Mr Swanston said. This agreement is being formalised and will be upheld to provide similar services during major emergencies in the future. Mr Swanston says the success of ENERGEX’s public communications was a positive aspect of the disasters, with new media tools such as Twitter added to traditional information channels to provide the most up-to-date advice to customers. “We recognised the loss of power for up to a week was inconvenient for many customers who were close to the water, but remained dry. The nature of the network is that it is almost impossible to break it into small enough pieces to not impact some customers. But through frequent communication, honesty and empathy we were able to keep the community informed and generally on-side,” Mr Swanston said.

Similar lessons were learnt from Cyclone Yasi which slammed the coast of north Queensland in February 2011. The ruthless Category 5 storm stretched over 600 kilometres and shredded everything in its path. When events like this strike, electricity supply organisations from around Australia assist each other, including NSW-based Ausgrid who responded to requests for help from ENERGEX and regional Queensland distributor Ergon Energy following the summer disasters.

“Things like procurement restrictions and approvals need to be more flexible in emergency situations as workers on the ground with a low limit on their cards can’t purchase essential supplies and equipment as quickly as they need to and it could quickly hamstring them. “We looked at Ergon Energy and ENERGEX who provided other distributors with a great example of how to use social media, like Twitter and Facebook, in conjunction with traditional media to communicate with isolated customers. Social media is a great avenue for community responses too and we saw a lot of customers thanking them for using that channel.” Mr Emeleus said last summer stimulated industry recognition of the need to further advance national harmonisation of training standards.

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“The national harmonisation of training and authorisation standards was industry-driven with electricity supply organisations around Australia actively participating.

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“We also recognised the value of short local safety inductions covering everything not already harmonised in order to save time when our workers land. Even five years ago this training would have taken a couple of days before visiting workers could start on the job, but with industry’s efforts towards harmonisation it now takes a couple of hours.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

“Although the response from industry to each of the disasters was favourable on the whole, in our debrief we identified various opportunities for improvement,” Mr Emeleus said.

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Ausgrid’s Executive Manager Learning and Development, Tom Emeleus, said the most important lessons learnt from the ordeals they faced in Queensland, as well as the Christchurch earthquake, was identifying methods to establish effective communication quickly and to further increase mutual recognition of training and authorisations between network operators.

“Cooperation of industry bodies in recent years really paid dividends. The way our staff could go straight to the scene of the disaster, do a quick local induction and just get on with the job was testament to the success of efforts made to standardise training. “The scope of what qualified electrical workers can do across traditional boundaries is steadily increasing with harmonisation.” Mr Emeleus is also part of the ENA’s Industry Skills and Training Reference Group and helped develop the Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) Skills Passport which provides evidence of a person’s currency of refresher training and authorisations while encouraging standardisation of training in the ESI. “With all the improvements made to organisational processes across the board, the key here is that if the same thing happened this summer, our guys could get in there and fix the grid faster. Timing is everything in natural disasters.”

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

meet a master electrician Introducing Greg Allan from Response Fire and Electrical Services in Western Australia Name: Greg Allan Company: Response Fire and Electrical Services State: Western Australia Status: Accredited Master Electrician

When Greg Allan went to Fiji for the Master Electricians Australia Annual Conference late last year, he came home with a very special souvenir. Greg proposed to his girlfriend the night before the event commenced, in his own characteristically charming and clever way. “I arranged a romantic dinner for us on the beach, with our tables and chairs out on the sand,” Greg said. The pair ate by candlelight as the waves crashed nearby, and afterwards their attendant returned with an extraordinary surprise orchestrated by Greg. “I asked the waiter to bring out a silver platter after the meal. When he lifted the dome lid the ring was sitting there under it. She got a bit of a shock,” he laughed. Greg’s covert efforts were rewarded when she said ‘yes’, marking the achievement of another life goal for the 24-year-old. But before marriage was on Greg Allan’s

www.masterelectricians.com.au

mind, he had always wanted to own his own company. So immediately after completing his electrical apprenticeship in 2009, he ignited his dream and founded Response Fire and Electrical Services. Greg is an ideas man with an appetite for business, and his company has already experienced huge growth. Based in Western Australia, Response Fire and Electrical Services now cover commercial and domestic work in Perth with a fleet of three vans and five employees, allowing Greg to settle into a managerial role. From the outset, Greg recognised the importance of designing a solid brand image and effective marketing strategy, including an element of corporate social responsibility in his work. “The focus right now is on a sales approach to grow the business and improve facilities for staff,” Greg said. “But we have a real win-win mentality – we want the best for our suppliers, customers, community and staff.” The company’s generosity extends further than Greg’s local community, as ten per cent of the profits go to the ‘Saving Children in Poverty’ charity which helps educate disadvantaged youth in India.

Greg and his fiancé celebrated their engagement in style at Master Electricians’ Annual Conference in Fiji.

Aside from effective long-term customer relationship management, Greg says the key to success is “constantly learning”, and he attends various financial summits and regular sales and marketing conferences to stay on top of business trends. Capitalising on what he’d learned, Greg achieved Master Electrician accreditation for the business in 2011 because he recognised the value the brand would add to his business. “Master Electricians helps create an image for my company; it’s a great marketing tool. The Master Electrician label positions you at the forefront of customer’s minds as a leader and expert in industry. “Some of the best resources they offer are their regular training and safety audits.” Greg makes the most of all of these opportunities, and his hard work is paying off. “Business is coming along well…yeah, we’re killing it,” he said.

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feature

The Gorgon Project Rebecca Belsham explores one of the world’s largest natural gas projects on a historic Australian island that has electricians from across the country flocking to work there.

One hundred and thirty kilometres off the north-west coast

of Western Australia lies the largest single resource project ever undertaken in Australia’s history. The $43 billion Gorgon natural gas project will develop the Gorgon gas fields and includes the construction of a 15 million tonne-per annum Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant on Barrow Island. Gorgon is masterminded by a weighty consortium of globally recognised joint venture companies, made up from Australian subsidiaries of Chevron (about 47 per cent), ExxonMobil (25 per cent), Shell (25 per cent), Osaka Gas (1.25 per cent), Tokyo Gas (one per cent) and Chubu Electric Power (0.417 per cent). The project aims to transport gas from the Gorgon and Jansz fields off the Western Australian coast through a 90km long subsea pipeline to the 15 million-tonne-per-annum processing plant on Barrow Island. The pipeline will interconnect with the 1,596 km Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline on the mainland to deliver compressed domestic gas while LNG will also be shipped to international markets.

With first gas due in 2014, Chevron Australia Managing Director Roy Krywosinski said hundreds of electrical contractors and other skilled tradesmen have flocked to the sun-set state to work on the Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast. Gorgon Project. www.masterelectricians.com.au

“To us, it is a modern-day equivalent of Australia’s iconic Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme – a long-term, technically complex energy development signifying a dramatic advancement of engineering. “And by applying the energy we have most in abundance – human energy – and combining it with world-class technology and expertise, we’re realising our vision.” The complexity and sheer scale of Gorgon is unprecedented and the project is expected to give a $64 billion boost to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product and create direct and indirect employment for more than 10,000 people at peak construction. WA Energy Minister Peter Collier declared Gorgon would deliver energy security to the state for decades. “This project provides long-term and reliable domestic energy supply... with an additional stream of energy security,” Mr Collier said. “With the state’s vast supply of natural gas, our state has prospered with domestic use fuelling our state’s growth and development, while exports have contributed to our economic success.” But like many projects of its kind, Gorgon has suffered from ongoing environmental concern regarding the possibility carbon

LO/JANSZ

dioxide could leak from faults in the geographical formation under the island, which is supposed to act as a burial site.

gorgon project development concept

There are also concerns for the 24 endangered animal species that don’t exist any where else such as the Barrow Island Wallaroo, Golden Bandicoot and Flatback Turtle.

GORGON

“This project provides long-term and reliable domestic energy supply... with an additional stream of energy security.” The Gorgon Joint Venture is committing a total of approximately $190 million in environmental offsets and net conservation benefits. “We are playing an important role meeting that challenge with the pioneering of a new, risk-based quarantine approach, one with no precedent or equal rigour anywhere else in the world,” Mr Krywosinki said. “Our operation on Barrow Island occupies 1.3 per cent of the islands uncleared land mass and although the island is a Class A Nature Reserve, it is recognised internationally as a location where industry and the environment coexist.” The island is no stranger to controversy, having been home to whalers for twenty years in the mid 1800s and used as a slave

GAS PLANT

KARRATHA

TION NEC ND CON AINLA TO M

When the Gorgon Project was officially approved by the Federal Government in 2009, an extra 28 conditions, 20 management plans and a monitoring program were imposed on developers to ensure Barrow Island is adequately protected.

BARROW ISLAND

THEVENARD ISLAND

DA NA MPIE TUR R T AL O BU GA NB S P UR IPE Y LIN E

SUBS TO B EA TIE-B ARR OW ACK ISLA ND

Environmentalists say the project will have unacceptable environmental impacts on terrestrial and marine life.

ONSLOW

trading centre for Aborigines later in the century by Captain William Cadell until he was arrested and removed from the colony in 1876. From 1883 to the end of the 1800s, Barrow Island was also mined for Guano, the excrement of seabirds, bats and seals, which were then sold to markets in Perth and used as a fertiliser on properties throughout Western Australia. Adding to its colourful history, Barrow Island currently holds the spectacular World Meteorological Organisation record for the highest non-tornado related wind gust at 408km/h which occurred on 10 April 1996. “Barrow Island is now a story of energy and the environment as well as technology and expertise. The Gorgon Project will be an important pillar of the Australian economy for more than 40 years,” Mr Krywosinki said.

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

general news

Down, down, energy use is down The Green Project of the Year Award goes to SEDAC Energy Management

It pays to put faith in your product, as

SEDAC Energy Management discovered when they approached one of Australia’s largest supermarket chains with an energy saving lighting system they’d designed. SEDAC National Manager Craig Lewis said they saw an opportunity and jumped on it and it was worth it. “We’ve been engaged to deliver energy management services to this client for many years,” Mr Lewis said. “We knew their systems intimately. “So we noticed their current controls were inefficient, and proposed that we modify the existing systems to better suit their needs, saving them a substantial amount of money while reducing their carbon footprint.” The multi-million dollar project involved installing automated systems to switch off unnecessary lighting out of hours and at times of the day when it was not needed. SEDAC’s proposal was eagerly accepted, but the long journey to complete the project had only just begun. Mr Lewis said there was a protracted period of consultation after the initial proposal in 2009. “We had to balance the relationships between ourselves, the client and the project manager,” he said. “It was extremely bureaucratic, decisions weren’t made lightly. “With a big client such as this, when any new idea is considered there’s an initial trial, extended trial then full roll-out. The challenge for us was expediting installation so they’d see even further savings.

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“It was a huge project. We started with three concept trial sites, then commenced stage one with 25 full trial sites, moved on to 250 sites in stage two, then another 250 in stage three. Pretty amazing accomplishment really, with just eight teams.” Their work has led to a reduction of tens of thousands of tonnes of CO2 per year, and a saving of hundreds of thousands of dollars per month in electricity costs for the retailer. While the outcomes are worth the hard work, the project wasn’t without its challenges. “There were various parties involved throughout. One of the biggest considerations for us was ensuring our client’s staff were aware of the project underway, and maintaining their safety at all times. Because of the scale of the project, it required complete shut-downs of the sites, meaning a security company was contracted at each. “We are proud of how we have been able to deliver the client’s main goal – energy and cost savings – while working under very tight deadlines,” Mr Lewis said. “This project has delivered precisely the savings delivered by the trial sites, and was delivered by six teams working to the same exacting standard across Australia. “As a result of this commitment to uniform quality and results, the client now has almost identical reductions in power use across all its stores, and will quickly recoup its investment in this significant project.” At this stage, SEDAC is on track to achieve its goal of being one of the largest innovative energy management companies

in Australia who can service clients in reducing their overall power consumption. Their objective is to increase their revenue by 40 per cent every year. Mr Lewis says SEDAC’s success rides on their reputation as being extremely innovative. They have a number of ‘patent pending’ products and solutions which can be custom designed to suit clients. MEA Group CEO Malcolm Richards, one of the judges of the Master Electricians Awards, recognised this as their most distinct advantage. “SEDAC’s supermarket lighting reduction project was a perfect example of the innovative, high-quality and energyefficient work that Master Electricians Australia encourages among its accredited contractors. “SEDAC are deserving winners of the award, and they have set a very high bar for other contractors in the future.” Despite their belief and pride in their work, the award for Green Project of the Year came as a welcome surprise. “The whole management team from three states went to the Annual Excellence Awards event in Brisbane. We were a late entrant into the competition and even though we were confident in our application, we were all surprised when they called us up on stage,” said Mr Lewis modestly. “The design of the project itself was so simple, it was all in the approach to design and construction. We just took a more innovative approach to an existing technology to provide savings for our client.”

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news from the distributors energex

QLD

A MESSAGE FROM TARIFF 33 -“Rumours of my passing are greatly exaggerated” Mike Swanston Group Manager, Customer Advocate, ENERGEX Limited

Ten years ago, over three-quarters of homes in South-east Queensland operated their electric water heater on Tariff 31 or 33 controlled load – saving up to 40 per cent on the energy costs, with no inconvenience to the customer. That option saved the Queensland electricity consumers millions of dollars, through cheaper off-peak energy and reduced peak network demand. Fast-forward to today, where water heating is now a task for heat pumps, solar hot water systems and gas. Heat pumps use less energy overall and solar only needs a few hours boost on a couple of days every year. So the general supply domestic Tariff 11 is the simple choice, right? Since 2005, less than 7 per cent – that’s less than 1 in 15 - new homes have a controlledload tariff installed; a far cry from the 70 per cent plus before 2000. Unfortunately, the choice to step away from the controlled-load tariffs is bringing real challenges for customers, especially in the hip pocket. Peak demand between 4 and 8pm is the main driver of investment in network capacity, and therefore electricity prices. Picture a modern household on a cool grey winter evening – halogen downlights, cooking, a number of reverse-cycle air-conditioners. Add another kilowatt from a heat pump water heater, or up to four kilowatts from the electric boost element on the solar hot water system - then repeat that many times through the subdivision. The tariff changes later this year will make high energy consumption on tariff 11 or use at peak times more expensive.

Incentives to use less energy and shift demand from peak times are certain to feature more and more in the electricity market. So do we really need to run many appliances, especially water heating, dishwashing, pool pumps or washing machines at 6pm? The key is to revisit and make better use of the controlled load tariffs (we can’t call them “off-peak” anymore because that term now applies to the low-cost step of the time-of-use tariffs). Tariffs 31 and 33 are excluded from the new general supply tariffs. ENERGEX also hopes to receive regulatory agreement to remove the minimum-usage requirement for controlled-load energy. Heat pump water heating and swimming pools are the simple and obvious first choices to shift to Tariff 33. The relaxation to allow the pool pump and chlorinator from being hard-wired makes accessing the tariff easier. Solar water heaters have a different, yet just as elegant solution. Set the boost system to come on at 5am and 3pm with a time clock, or in the controller. For most of the year, the water is hot, and the boost does nothing. But on those few cool grey days, the system will boost for a short time outside the peak hours. The customer has ‘set and forget’ hot water, the boost is outside peak times, and the power is cheaper! In April, the new tariff information will feature in our next EnergyAcadamy briefings to electricians. In summary – Tariff 33 remains an ideal low-cost energy solution for customers, especially for pools and water heating. It’s not gone yet! For further information on controlled load and the ENERGEX EnergyAcademy, email energyacademy@energex.com.au or visit www.energex.com.au and follow the link under Contractors and Service Providers.

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CitiPower / Powercor

Reconnect – EWR’s online

VIC

What is the latest news about REConnect? The REConnect portal is CitiPower and Powercor’s Connection Management system designed to deliver an improved level of customer service to RECs. REConnect is now available for RECs to submit their EWRs online. Why not take the opportunity and visit their website and find out more about the product www.powercor.com.au or www.citipower.com.au The major benefits REConnect offers RECs include: • A simple registration process • A unique and secure log on • The ability to create EWR templates to save you time • The ability to attach a CES and other documentation to the EWR for submission • The ability to submit and view your job status 24hrs per day, 7 days per week • The ability to trace all jobs you have submitted • You can receive notification of an anticipated connection date • It reduces time chasing jobs with retailers and DBs • It offers you a more streamlined EWR process • It reduces storage on your systems • You can receive SMS and/or email updates on jobs Training materials such as simulations and work instructions are available on the website to assist you with the REConnect functionalities. The REConnect portal is designed to capture planned connections work only such as new connections - metered and unmetered

and additions and alterations - metered and unmetered. At this stage the Portal does not accommodate supply negotiations, submissions of EWRs for fault situations, reconnection of electrical supply for an existing property that has been off greater than 12 months or supply abolishment. CitiPower / Powercor are relying on RECs to embrace this new concept and make it a success. REC uptake of the system provides CitiPower and Powercor with the scope to continue to enhance the product over time to provide you with even better customer service. If you have any further questions in relation to REConnect, please do not hesitate to email reconnect@powercor.com.au or reconnect@citipower.com.au. They really do appreciate your feedback regarding the functionalities of REConnect.

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

electricity prices 5mWh Residential customer, excl GST ($2011/12) Distribution Transmission

Real Electricity Prices $p.a.

2,000

Retail (including generation)

1,500

1,000

500

00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12

Year

Ausgrid

Local neighbourhood data online

NSW

The number of households with solar panels has almost doubled, streetlights are fixed in two days and households have cut their annual electricity use by about two per cent, according to the latest electricity data. Electricity distributor Ausgrid has released the latest round of online data sorted by 39 local government areas across its network. The updated data also shows that over the six months to June 2011, crews attended 1,444 sites to remove graffiti, 420 small transformers were installed, and just over 14km of underground local distribution cable was laid. The number of homes with solar panels doubled over the same period, while it took about an average 2.5 days to fix broken street lights. Ausgrid energy efficiency expert Paul Myors said the amount of power sent to the electricity grid from rooftop solar panels had also significantly increased. “Over the six months to June, more than 38 million kilowatt hours of electricity from household solar pv systems was exported to the network,” Mr Myors said. “That’s enough to power 5,800 homes for a year. We would expect this figure to increase over the summer months as daylight hours increase.

ETSA Utilities

The price is right

South Australians are well aware of increasing prices, with the media focusing on rising food, electricity, water and government charges. But the story of the cost efficiency of ETSA Utilities in distributing the State’s electricity has not been told. In 2011/12, the average residential customer (consuming 5MWh per annum) pays just $41 more in real terms for delivery of electricity by ETSA Utilities than they did in 2000/01. In that period, retail prices have risen at ten times the rate of distribution charges. See table above. The independent Tasmanian Regulator monitors the distribution component of electricity costs across Australia. It found ETSA Utilities is a low-cost provider for South Australian customers who were paying well below the national average for distribution. SA residential customers had the second-lowest electricity distribution costs in the country. Distribution’s share of the residential customer bill has fallen from 46 per cent to 33 per cent and, while ETSA Utilities is doubling investment in the distribution network, this share of the customer bill is expected to be maintained in the 2010-2015 Regulatory period.

“Average annual household electricity use also declined in most local government areas. We expect this is a result of several factors, such as a reduction in electric hot water usage.

“The key driver of the need for increased investment is peak demand, which is forecast to grow by 2.5 per cent to 3 per cent per annum,” said CEO Rob Stobbe.

“It’s likely driven by greater uptake of energy efficient hot water systems and shower heads. But it’s also likely that households are using less hot water through conservation.

“That means we need higher capacity wires, transformers and substations to meet the peak.”

www.masterelectricians.com.au

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regulator wrap up the latest state news from regulators

Fair Trading

Taskforce acts against unsafe solar panel installers

NSW

NSW Fair Trading has released the results of its Taskforce Eclipse which was set up to coordinate the response to a recent audit of solar panel installations. The audit had found an unacceptably high level of major defects (122 cases) primarily related to incorrect wiring of DC circuit breakers, as well as a high level of minor defects (418 cases) related to cabling, signage and marking, and mechanical protection of cables. Taskforce Eclipse contacted every electrician and/or principal contractor responsible for installing solar panels with major defects and required them to return to the home to rectify the faults. Those responsible were issued with formal Rectification Orders under the Home Building Act 1989 to ensure that the direction had the force of law. In addition, the Fair Trading Taskforce took the following actions: • Published updated material on installing solar panels safely • Issued 21 show cause notices • Served seven immediate suspension notices on individuals and companies • Issued fines to 13 individuals or companies worth a total of $53,250 • Developed a checklist for consumers and set up a consumer hot line • Advised residents on how to seek rectification from the responsible installer Fair Trading recommends that builders and electrical contractors read the Fair Trading Taskforce Eclipse Report to understand the commonly found defects and ensure they take steps to avoid these. Go to Fair Trading’s website at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au to read more about safe solar installations, including downloading a copy of the Taskforce report, a simple guide to the requirements for tradespeople and a list of installers that have had legal or disciplinary actions taken against them by Fair Trading. Link: www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Tenants_and_home_owners/ Home_building_and_renovating/The_building_process/Solar_ panels.html www.masterelectricians.com.au

Electrical Safety Office

being left out after electrical work was performed indicates a dangerous trend.

before leaving the site, if it is practicable and safe to do so.

Re- energising without a MEN connection a dangerous trend

The MEN system requires an electrical connection between the protective earthing system and the neutral connections of the installation, usually at the main neutral link in the main switchboard of the installation (MEN connection).

Re-energising an electrical installation with no Multiple Earth Neutral (MEN) connection in place is one of the most potentially dangerous errors that can be made.

This system provides a lower value of fault loop impedance, allowing for faster and more reliable operation of protection devices in the event of a fault.

Performing a fault loop impedance test, with supply available and a suitable plug-in test instrument, is a simple and reliable indication that the MEN connection is intact. A low value of fault loop impedance (refer Table 8.1 of the Wiring Rules AS/NZS 3000) is a good indication that the fault loop path, including the MEN connection, is intact. High fault loop impedance readings should always be investigated.

Without a MEN connection in place, protective devices may not operate correctly or within the required times to ensure the installation is electrically safe, putting you and others at serious risk.

If you have performed any electrical work that could have affected the MEN connection of the installation, verification and testing must include testing to confirm the integrity of the MEN connection.

The majority of electrical installations in Queensland employ the MEN system, so recent reports from electrical entities revealing numbers of MEN connections

Even if you have performed electrical work that would not have affected the MEN connection it is still advisable to perform a visual inspection of the MEN connection

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

regulator wrap up

Energy Safe victoria

VIC

ESV about to start major audit on usage of Certificates of Electrical Safety

This is a reminder that ESV will be undertaking a major audit of the electrical industry soon with a particular focus centred on usage of Certificates of Electrical Safety and compliance with the COES system. Audits of electrical inspectors will also be undertaken to ensure they are complying with the Act and Regulations. ESV has recruited, and is recruiting, additional compliance officers to assist with the audit. As previously announced one of the reasons for the audits is that a large number of Certificates of Electrical Safety submitted by registered electrical contractors and licensed electricians – as high as 15 per cent – have varying degrees of defects.

NZS 3000:2007, “The Wiring Rules – Earthing Arrangements and Earthing Conductors”. One of the issues is that equipment required to be connected to the earthing system is not effectively earthed. This type of defect also relates to Section 8 of AS/NZS 3000:2007 – Verification. The LEIW is required to test the electrical installation work they performed. There are six mandated tests, one of which is to prove continuity of the earthing system. Had the certifying LEIW performed this mandated test the defects in the earthing system would have been identified. Director of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon, said recently that the trade has to realise that before connecting any electrical installation work to the electricity supply they are required to perform the tests as required by Section 8 of AS/NZS 3000:2007. “By not performing these tests they are breaking the law – both the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and the Electricity Safety (Installations) Regulations 2009, and this could lead to prosecution in the courts.

These defects range from missing information on the certificates to situations that require immediate rectification by the REC or LEIW.

“We do not want to prosecute or enforce other disciplinary measures. Therefore anyone in the trade who has doubts, concerns or questions relating to Certificates of Electrical Safety should get in touch with ESV.”

A major concern identified from the statistics provided by the audits is the large number of defects relating to Section 5 of AS/

ESV, through its three contracted audit companies, audit approximately 4500 Certificates of Electrical Safety each month.

www.masterelectricians.com.au

Energy Safety

Too many electrical apprentices suffering shocks

Shock reports received by EnergySafety involving electrical apprentices remain far too high.

Year

Reports of shocks

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

8 (to 30 June)

The above figures are a clear indication that apprentices are not being adequately supervised. They are particularly concerning because actual shock numbers are likely to be under-reported. Electrical contractors and supervising electricians are reminded of their responsibility to ensure that all apprentices are adequately supervised. Electrical apprentices require supervision for their safety and training and the safety of others. The amount of supervision, direct (constant) or general, requires continual assessment of an apprenticeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience, competence and the task undertaken. Regulation 50 of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, prescribes the specific requirements for effective supervision of electrical work. If an apprentice receives a shock, it implies that supervision was not adequate. Electricians ought to be the tradespersons least likely to suffer electric shocks, this especially applies to electrical apprentices. EnergySafety requests all electrical contractors and supervising electricians to devote more time and renewed attention to apprentice supervision so that the worrying report numbers listed above fall to zero in the very near future. Failure to supervise apprentices effectively will result in prosecution. The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

letter of the law

Protecting your confidentiality is key to quoting success Have your ideas on how to save money on a contract been ripped-off? Here are some tips on how to stop it.

So, you put in a quote setting out the details of how you intend to do a job, including a novel or unique way of doing part of the job, which would save the builder or owner substantial money. Then, the job is given to somebody else with an instruction to use your ideas to save money. Sound familiar? In the last couple of weeks, we have had a number of contractors complain that this is exactly what happened to them. In each case, it has been a complete and blatant rip-off. Indeed, in one case, the builder simply photocopied the contractor’s quote and sent it to his opposition tenderers, requesting a new price. What’s the legal position? From a legal point of view, the builders had acted improperly. In all cases, the quotes had been given to the builders on the assumption that the material would be kept confidential by the builders. By disclosing the contractor’s methodology, which would lead to the contractor’s competitors saving, the builders breached that confidence. In the case of the distribution of the photocopied quote, the builder had also www.masterelectricians.com.au

infringed the contractor’s copyright in the document. Can you stop this? The simple answer is yes you can. It is by court proceedings (or more hopefully, just the threat of them) for an action for breach of an equitable obligation of confidence. To succeed, you need to establish three things: 1. The information given must have the necessary quality of “confidence”. What this means is that there must be something novel or original about the information. Something that is already public knowledge cannot be considered confidential 2. The information must have been given in circumstances which show there was an obligation of confidence. Proving this is largely about how you provided the information in the first place. Did you say that it was confidential and could not be disclosed to others? If so, that would go a long way towards satisfying this element, and 3. There must have been use of that information without your authority, and that use, must be to your detriment.

Make it 100 per cent clear your quote is confidential When you put in your quote or tender, you should specify both in the covering letter, and in the document itself, that it is confidential and not to be disclosed to any other party. The covering letter should also remind the person to whom you are providing the quote or tender, that you retain copyright in the documents and that they cannot be used without your consent. At the very least, this will make it abundantly clear to the person you are giving the quote or tender to, that the information is confidential, that your documents and information cannot be used for other purposes and that if they do so, they are at risk of being sued. For more information about exactly what to put in such a covering letter, and what to write on your tenders and quotes to protect yourself from this type of ripoff, call Harold Littler, an Intellectual Property Lawyer and Trade Mark Attorney at McKays Solicitors. Harold can be contacted on (07) 3223 5912 or at hlittler@mckaylaw.com

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the interview coal export business was developing, I resigned from my senior role in the State Electricity Commission of Queensland to establish a unique energy consulting business and an energy investment business, Energy Resource Managers Pty Ltd. ERM Consultants grew to a team of 26 highly-skilled personnel in the mid-1980s, mainly from the state electricity commissions, offering expertise previously exclusively locked up in these government entities, to support energy resource developers to offer their coals and other fuels to electricity developers, including the state electricity commissions in Australia, and internationally in the burgeoning steaming coal trade.

Trevor St Baker Over three decades, Trevor St Baker has grown a small energy advisory firm into an integrated energy company. The Chairman of ERM Power talks about the journey. You are the Chairman of ERM Power. What does the company do? ERM Power has grown organically from an energy consulting practice, founded 31 years ago, to now one of the largest electricity suppliers in Australia. ERM Power became one of the first new private power station developers in the country in the late-1990s, and between 2005 and 2011 became the largest new generation developer, by more than two-fold, developing approximately one-third of all the new power generation in Australia over that period, all low emission gas-fired generation, at a total cost of $2.6 billion. Can you tell us about some of ERM Power’s recent projects? ERM Power’s gas-fired power station developments include the Braemar and Braemar, 2 power stations west of Dalby in Queensland; the Oakey power station, west of Toowoomba; the Kwinana and Neerabup power stations in Western Australia (which were at the time the largest private sector generation business in the state) and the Uranquinty power station, near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. Importantly, however, ERM Power has moved on to concentrate on its electricity sales business, with more than ten per cent market share in Queensland, four per cent market share nationally, and expanding rapidly in all states. How did you get started in business? I was fortunate to progress in the government-owned electricity commissions in New South Wales and Queensland over the first 24 years of my career, to senior positions in these vibrant governmentowned enterprises. In 1980, some 15 years prior to the governments of Australia opening up the electricity industry to private sector involvement, I believed that government monopolies in this enterprise sector had run their course, and at a time when an emerging steaming www.masterelectricians.com.au

How did you grow from a small operation into a very large, integrated power company now listed on the ASX? By providing personnel, from the front door receptionist, to senior executives, and to chief executives, with a clear vision, a clear role to play, a culture built around respect for staff, customers, business contacts, and communities in areas where the company operates, and a strictly ethical business culture, in all dealings, including with governments and with business competitors. By providing clear performance goals which formed the basis of rewards for achievement. Having morphed from a relatively large and successful energy consulting practice, into a very small “new start” independent power developer and investor, half way through ERM’s 31-year history, the growth from this small operation into the substantial corporate entity it is today, was certainly also the result of a few other defining factors, namely: The risks that my three sons took, at different times and stages of the “new start” company’s growth, in resigning from successful careers, in different fields, to bring unique skills that have helped the company succeed. My decision in 2005 to corporatise all my interests in the five new power stations, at different stages of planning and development, as well as my interest in the operating Oakey power station, with an ASIC-compliant constitution, the appointment of independent directors to a company board, the appointment of one of my sons, recruited from the senior echelons of BHP-Billiton, as Managing Director, the assistance to my four adult children to take a total 8 per cent interest in the new company, and the donation to the entire staff (of some 30 personnel at the time) of a 10 per cent of my total interest in this “new start” incorporated private company, as well as offering all staff short-term and long-term incentives to achieve the business plan for the company to become a significant national vertically-integrated energy company. You are also the Chairman of Master Electricians Australia. Why did you take on that position? In constructing five major power stations in three states between 2005 and 2010, workplace safety became the first consideration at every board and executive meeting for the joint ventures and partnerships that ERM Power led. Concentrating on “near-miss” reporting, and action, ERM Power achieved the most outstanding record in the completion of this $2.6 billion of developments across the country without one permanent injury, and for its last new power station, at Neerabup in Western Australia, overseeing nearly two million man-hours during its construction without a single “lost time” injury. - An outstanding record.

When I was invited to join the board of Master Electricians Australia Limited with the aim to achieve greater levels of safety accreditation and safety auditing throughout the electrical contracting industry, Australia wide, MEA did not have to wait long for my positive response. What advice do you have for small business people starting out? Make sure that you know how the business works, and that you have skills and experience to compete with others with similar aspirations. Have a good look at existing players in the field in which you are considering being a “new entrant”, and understand how those existing businesses have been able to maintain market share to sustain their businesses, in competition to earlier “new entrants”. If you have done your “homework” accordingly, don’t be frightened to have a go, but remember going into business will not buy you “time off”, as every day can bring challenges, and especially in a “new start” business. What do you see as the greatest challenges confronting electrical contractors today? In a business where staff can be exposed to life-threatening risks if not properly trained, retrained, and checked regularly that they follow strict safety training, no electrical contractor can rest easy

unless he or she is confident that none of their staff will cut corners in following that training and procedures. The greatest challenge for an electrical contractor is to never have to contact the family of a staff member to inform them that a serious electrical accident has inflicted their spouse, son, daughter, father or mother. How, in your opinion, does Master Electricians’ accreditation help businesses overcome those challenges? Master Electricians’ accreditation provides an independently audited affirmation of the adequacy of safety training and procedures incorporated by an electrical contracting business, for the assurance of staff, customers, and of parents and family and friends of staff and customers, as well as the peace of mind of the proprietor. Governments in all states are looking to the electrical contracting industry to achieve the highest standards of safety training and procedures, rather than having to step in to legislate for procedures in the event of a spate of electrocutions and calls for governments to act. The universal safety accreditation and auditing developed by Master Electricians Australia, with the sponsorship, skills and support of the 75-year old Electrical Contractors Association, has in my view become the compulsory safety benchmark for the industry nationally.

The EASIEST way to find the BEST DIGITAL TV ANTENNA for your area Getting Ready For Digital is now even easier. To meet the rising demand for digital entertainment and technologies, Matchmaster have developed a new software package to help customers and installers understand and identify digital ready products and accessories so they can easily upgrade to digital. The Matchmaster Antenna Selection Guide is ‘FREE’ and easy to use. Check it out at www.matchmaster.tv Why was the Matchmaster Antenna Locator developed? It’s all about becoming ready for the Digital Switchover. Firm dates have been set for switching off analog transmitters and as part of the transition to digital-only services, the new Matchmaster Antenna Selection Guide will assist with making the transition even easier.

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

gadget guide

OtterBox iPhone 4 Defender Case

Freeloader Pico Solar Charger

The OtterBox iPhone 4 Defender Series case is the toughest iPhone case out there, protecting your iPhone from drops, bumps, dust, scratches and more!

Running out of juice when you’re chatting on your mobile, playing your favourite app, or listening to your iPod is very irritating.

When you need an iPhone case you can rely on, look no further than this hardworking tradesman’s case, the defender. They can handle being bumped around, dropped, thrown on the dashboard and tossed in the tool bag, all while offering great protection. They offer a unique three layer design which includes a clear film screen protector, a durable silicone skin layer and a high quality polycarbonate shell. They are compatible with all iPhone 4 and 4s models. RRP$49.95 www.otterbox.com

www.masterelectricians.com.au

The FreeLoader Solar Charger is an ingenious little eco-friendly contraption that soaks up the power of the sun and stores it for up to three months. You can then use it to charge up your electronic gadgets, anytime, anyplace. Think of it as a portable solar-powered battery. Perfect for bunging in your back pocket for whenever you need that emergency charge the Freeloader Pico boasts an impressive 800mA battery and will give you an extra 35 hours stand-by time on your mobile phone. Charged via USB or the sun via its impressive 75mA solar panel and featuring a LED charge status indicator so you’ll never be caught short of power.

Senso Glove SensoGlove is the first and only golf glove with built-in sensors that constantly read the pressure of your grip. Practicing with SensoGlove will teach you the correct grip pressure for a smooth, consistent swing that delivers greater distance, enhanced precision and lower scores! You can use SensoGlove anywhere… backyard practice, on the driving range or during a practice round. With SensoGlove, you get an immediate readout of your exact grip pressure, on a scale of 1 to 12. Grip too tight, and a gentle audio cue warns you. Thanks to sensors in every finger, the SensoGlove’s LCD screen even shows you which fingers are overdoing it in the grip department. What’s more, adjustable pressure settings let you select and store the grip that’s right for you.

RRP$39.99

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techno biz Master Electricians are giving you the good-oil on the best stuff!

DeWalt 26mm Heavy Duty SDS-Plus Combination Hammer with Quick Change Chuck (D25124K-XE) Nail any job with DEWALT’s 26mm Heavy Duty SDS-Plus Combination Hammer with Quick Change Chuck (D25124K-XE). This tool is tough stuff, ideal for drilling anchors or fixing holes in concrete and masonry and includes a rotation stop for light chiselling applications. There is also the added convenience of a quick change removable chuck for drilling in wood, steel, ceramic and screw driving applications. Superior control and precision to the user are the result of electronic variable speed and a safety clutch eliminating sudden high torque reactions if the bit was to jam. A 22mm hammer mechanism reduces stress on the critical components of the tool increasing its durability, meaning you will have a top tool for years. For more information or to find your nearest stockist, visit www.dewalt.com.au or call 1800 444 224.

Clipsal DALIcontrol exit and emergency fittings A range of Clipsal DALIcontrol exit and emergency fittings has been released to suit all applications. Standard or wafer style universal exit signs are available in single or double sided designs. LED emergency fittings feature advanced LED lamp technology that provides unsurpassed energy conservation for long life and low maintenance. The range supports all required DALI emergency test standards. DALI exit and emergency systems are available as a more advanced and cost effective means of monitoring the evacuation in today’s modern building environment. DALI exit and emergency lights are fully compatible with ClipsalCBus and DALIcontrol systems.

The world’s only LED bulb that’s one-for-one with a 50W halogen – Brightgreen’s DR700 After three years of local R&D, Brightgreen is releasing its award winning LED bulb. Developed in Melbourne, the DR700 offers one-for-one 50W halogen performance on brightness, dimmability, beam width, light colour and light quality. At 720 lumens and 10.5 watts, the DR700 is the world’s first LED bulb to match a 50W halogen on brightness while being compatible with all dimmers and transformers on the market, enabling a simple, fast and hassle free retrofit. To find out more about the DR700 visit http://brightgreen.net.au or call 1300 672 499.

For more information visit www.clipsal. com/dalicontrol or call your local Clipsal Representative on 1300 202 525.

The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

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technical talk

Protecting property from fire

what you need to know about recessed luminaire barriers Clause 4.5.2.3 from AS/NZS 3000:2007 sets out the requirements for the installation of recessed luminaires to minimise temperature rise and prevent the risk of fire.

One of the methods to limit the temperature rise at the rear of a recessed luminaire is the installation of a suitable fire-resistant enclosure. On 4 November 2011, a new standard was released, AS/NZS 5110:2011 Recessed Luminaire Barriers. This standard provides classifications, construction requirements, marking requirements, and test procedures for recessed luminaire barriers. Any barrier that complies with this standard may satisfy the requirements of AS 3000 with regards to the installation of recessed luminaires, subject to any restrictions or conditions of use. Below is an outline of AS/NZS 5110:2011

• Impact

requirements, below are some of them:

• Insulation (eg restricted to certain types of insulation or unrestricted)

• Where a product has been tested and is compliant with this Standard, it shall be marked “COMPLIES WITH AS/NZS 5110”

• Luminaire suitability • Depth of insulation they are designed for • Degree of protection against the ingress of dust, solid objects and moisture. Construction This section specifies the general constructional requirements for barriers including: • Means of attachment • Prevention of ingress of flammable materials

Classification of Barriers Barriers shall be classified according to the following:

• Screws and connections

• Installation (eg installed from above or below)

Marking There are a number of marking

• Electrical connection/components

• A 1mm thick line on the barrier to indicate the depth of insulation that is allowed by its classification. Barriers classified as ‘coverable’ do not require this line/marking • ‘DO NOT COVER’ shall be marked on barriers that are not suitable to be covered • Single combination barriers: The make and model number of the luminaire it is suitable for use with • Combination barriers: Information on where to find the list of make and model numbers for all luminaires it is suitable for use with • IP rating if greater than IP2X (Australia only) • Instructions to be written in English

default minimum clearances for recessed luminaires

• All markings shall be greater than 3mm in height unless stated otherwise in the standard

Combustible building element above fitting Barrier required for loose fill insulation or loose combustible materials

Transformer 50 mm

Combustible building structural member

C Thermal insulation

Dimension A - clearance above luminaire B - side clearance to structural member C - clearance to thermal insulation D - clearance to supply transformer

www.masterelectricians.com.au

Incandescent lamp

Halogen lamp

50 mm 100 mm

200 mm 200 mm

50 mm

200 mm 50mm

The instructions shall also include the substance of the following: Caution: If fitting of the barrier requires disconnection of the recessed luminaire electrical parts that are not plug and socket-outlet connections then it is likely this will involve prescribed electrical work, and a licensed electrical worker/contractor may be required in accordance with electrical safety legislation. With this knowledge make sure you check all luminaire barriers to make sure they meet this standard, and install them as per the manufacturer’s specification. Doing this will satisfy clause 4.5.2.3 from AS/ NZS 3000:2007 and help you meet your obligation to protect persons, livestock and property from fire.

A uto mAtion C A D s o ftwA r e • Provides a complete solution for

National Harmonisation roll-out For some of Australia, the new model Work Health and Safety Acts (WHS) came into effect on 1 January, 2012. Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia are likely to defer implementation until later this year. Essentially, each of the current state and territory Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws will be replaced by national laws based on a model Work Health and Safety Act. The most obvious advantage to this is consistency of laws across Australia. Practice manager of EI Legal, Patricia Ryan, urges business owners to prepare for the new laws by identifying the variances between the existing Occupational Health and Safety Act and the model WHS Act to understand what needs to change, and what can stay the same in order to achieve compliance. “Businesses should review their organisational structure to determine where responsibility for WHS lies as well as review policies, procedures and consultation processes to ensure that they are not only compliant, but that terminology used is consistent with the new Act,” Ms Ryan said. For more information visit www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au

electrical design engineering and as Built drawings.

• designed for large projects

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Safety, quality & exceptional performance Our NBN enclosures are designed to simplify installation, meet the local requirements of Optical Network service providers and to accommodate the latest fibre to the home equipment. The release of our Residential Home Distribution Cabinet (HDC) in February 2012, will provide an easy off the shelf solution for builders and contractors, with one enclosure, assuring the home is fibre ready. For more information contact Hager B&R on 1300 850 253

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

workplace relations

Are your employees protected from sexual harassment in your workplace? Any acts of sexual harassment by an employee, coworker or manager at work are unlawful under the Sexual Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) and relevant equal opportunity legislation in every state and territory.

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a serious matter warranting firm disciplinary action, including possible dismissal of the employee who was responsible for the harassment.

The negative impact on your employees from workplace harassment can: •B e difficult to deal with •B e disruptive to the workplace •N egatively affect productivity levels •N egatively influence staff morale, and •B e offensive to all concerned. If an employee makes a complaint which is not resolved at the workplace, the person accused, and the organisation, may face a complaint to a tribunal or other legal action. Monetary penalties and damages may apply if the employee’s claim is upheld. Sexual harassment can have devastating effects on an employee’s psychological health, physical well being and vocational development. In some cases, an employee may resign from their employment because of the harassment. The psychological and physical effects of being sexually harassed are similar to reactions to other forms of stress. They include: •P sychological reactions such as depression, anger and shame •P hysiological reactions such as headaches, lethargy and sexual problems •C areer-related effects such as decreased job satisfaction and absenteeism. www.masterelectricians.com.au

What is classified as sexual harassment? There are two main types of sexual harassment: 1. Direct sexual harassment – this type of sexual harassment occurs directly to a person, such as unwelcome touching, grabbing or other physical contact. 2. Indirect sexual harassment – this type of sexual harassment can be harder to identify, however is still based on the assumption that a reasonable person would feel sexually harassed in the situation. For example, images of a sexual nature appearing on someone’s work screen saver in view of colleagues walking past, or comments being made about a person between two other employees. Some of the examples which may indicate sexual harassment include: • The display of obscene or pornographic materials • General sexual banter • Crude conversation or innuendo, or • Offensive joke emails. What are key indicators to look out for? Sexual harassment can take a variety of forms including physical contact, verbal remarks or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature including the display of offensive materials. Some examples of sexual harassment are: • Uninvited touching, kisses or embraces

• Smutty jokes or comments • Making promises or threats in return for sexual favours • Displays of sexually graphic material including posters, cartoons, offensive email messages or computer screen savers • Repeated invitations to go out, especially after prior refusal • Sexual gestures, staring or leering • Sex-based insults, taunts, teasing or name-calling • Touching or fiddling with a person’s clothing, for example, flicking bra straps • Requests for sex • Sexually explicit conversations or SMS messages, or • Persistent questions or insinuations about a person’s private life. Is there a law that protects employees? Sexual harassment is an offence under both state and federal anti-discrimination legislation. Under the legislation the legal test for harassment contains three essential elements: 1. T he behaviour is unwelcome, uninvited and unsolicited 2. It is of a sexual nature 3. I t is reasonable in the circumstances to conclude that the person who claims to have been harassed felt offended, humiliated or intimidated.

1. Unwelcome behaviour Unwelcome behaviour can be subjective and depends on the response of the complainant. The intention or motive of the alleged harasser is not a consideration of the Court. A complaint of sexual harassment can be upheld even if the harasser did not know their behaviour was unwelcome. The Court also considers why the person felt too uncomfortable to confront a harasser directly. “One off” incidences could also amount to sexual harassment. 2. Conduct of a sexual nature Behaviour of a sexual nature involves conduct that has a sexual element, overtone or implication. 3. Reasonableness The reasonableness test considers whether a ‘reasonable person’ would feel that the complainant’s reaction to the behaviour was understandable or reasonable in the circumstances. This is an objective test. What obligations do employers have? Occupational health and safety laws impose a duty on employers to ensure the health and safety of all persons who are at the place of work. An obligation also falls on each employee to avoid and prevent the sexual harassment of any person at their place of work.

What should employers do to protect their employees? Employers must have appropriate company policies and grievance handling procedures in place, and they must educate their employees about those policies and procedures. In utilising an effective policy, employers should: • Include information about sexual harassment during the orientation of new staff • Provide training to managers and staff about identifying and preventing harassment in the workplace • Implement monitoring programs to ensure the active implementation of antidiscrimination policies • Encourage employees to come forward if they have a grievance • If there is a grievance, ensure that it is properly investigated and appropriate action is taken such as a written warning, providing the alleged harasser with training of workplace rules on anti-discrimination, transferring the employee to another location (as a form of discipline, not as a way of avoiding the issue), or dismissing the employee. How should employers deal with harassers? The following provides some guidance to employers on the procedures which courts regard as ‘appropriate’ in investigating serious misconduct, including claims of

sexual harassment. he key people who are likely to have T information about an incident should be interviewed; failure to do so may amount to a denial of procedural fairness. I t may be necessary to inspect the premises and physical surroundings of the place where an incident took place. The nature of the claim (or allegation) should be put to the person as clearly and accurately as possible, and the person accused should clearly understand the terminology used and the claim being made. The person being interviewed should not be forced to be interviewed and should not be pressured in the interview. An interview should be conducted with a third person present. Employers need to be mindful that they follow a fair and just process in investigating any allegation. They also need to meet the standards for substantive fairness. As with all forms of misconduct in the workplace, employers should always carefully consider the range of disciplinary measures available before proceeding with termination of employment. Accredited Master Electricians have access to a confidential workplace relations hotline for advice on all employment matters, including these types of investigations. Call 1300 889 198 for more information.

New ProTag Optima System Australia’s Most Compact Appliance Testing and Tag Printing System. The new ProTag Optima System tests portable appliances and RCDs, and prints test tags in a compact system weighing only around 2kg. No interface cables between the tester, printer and scanner provide maximum mobility on construction sites, factories and workshops. Light weight, wireless, battery powered and with logging of visual inspections and risk assessments, the Optima System guarantees greater efficiency, huge time savings and a lower cost per tag. Call EMONA Instruments on tel: 1 800 632 953 email: testinst@emona.com.au or www.protag.com.au The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

feature business

Make sure what’s yours is yours The prospect of losing plant and equipment through a sub-contractor going bankrupt is a frightening one for many electrical contractors.

The unfortunate fact is, you could show up to a jobsite one morning to find your own gear has been repossessed to cover their debts. According to Ian Heathwood from McKays Solicitors, asset protection is an area often overlooked by business owners, to their peril. “A large proportion of electrical contractors are totally unaware that their company and personal assets are needlessly exposed to risks associated with their business,” Mr Heathwood said. “Of those who are aware of the risks, the vast majority nevertheless do not have appropriate structures in place which would provide them with a reasonable level of protection should the worst happen in their business.” New legislation is acting as a reminder and a warning about what’s at stake.

“Too many people are putting it in the “too hard” basket. It’s actually quite easy and not as expensive as many contractors suspect.” “With the commencement of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 at the end of January 2012, a contractor could have, say a temporary switchboard on a site and if the builder goes broke, even though the contractor owns the switchboard, it could simply be taken by the builder’s liquidator, sold and the proceeds effectively confiscated from the contractor. “There are steps a contractor can take to avoid that scenario but if they keep standing back and do nothing about it, this new law is yet another threat to the ongoing viability of their businesses.” Rest assured, there are things that can be done to properly structure business and personal affairs to ensure a reasonable degree of asset protection. “Too many people are putting it in the “too hard” basket. It’s actually quite easy and not as expensive as many contractors suspect,” Mr Heathwood said. “Sometimes there are simple things that can be done which will get you a long way down the path. For example, usually in small businesses, there is always going to have to be one “at risk” person. Making sure the “at risk” person does not have significant assets, such as the home, in their name, is one simple thing that can be done. If the home is already in their name, half can usually be transferred to the spouse who is not “at risk” without paying any stamp duty.” Mr Heathwood said there are around 700 pieces of legislation which impose potential liabilities on directors. “Ensuring only the “at risk” person is a director of the trading entity is another simple, cheap and easy thing to do. Why expose more than one person to the risks of directorship if it is not necessary? “Simple things like this can go a long way to solving the problem but each business really should have a broader asset protection strategy in place that they develop with their lawyer.” www.masterelectricians.com.au

all about ME Upcoming training from SkillsConnect Australia

Don’t risk the quality of your business with under trained workers Invest in your staff and invest in your business with training you can value, delivered by trainers you can trust. SkillsConnect Australia is a nationally recognised, registered training organisation that offers high-quality, relevant and accredited post-trade training to the electrical and communications industries. An initiative of the ECA Group, SkillsConnect Australia has proven that it leads the way in electrical industry training. We have secured more government funding for electrical and communications qualifications than any other registered training organisation in Australia, proving that we are committed to providing you and your workers with affordable qualifications that will keep you at the top of your field. As a registered training organisation since 1996*, we pride ourselves on offering the necessary qualifications, certificates and licences to ensure electrical contractors around Australia remain compliant with relevant government legislation and regulations needed to maintain their licences. Since our inception, we have successfully trained over 17,500 electrical contractors and workers in skills maintenance, renewable energy, electrical safety, data and communications and business management. We believe that ongoing training is the key to staying at the forefront of your trade, as well as maintaining the quality of our industry. Evidence shows that high performing organisations invest in their people and form strong development programs around their roles. Providing education and training for your staff is imperative to sustain longevity in today’s marketplace. With careful planning for 2012, businesses can be agile and move with the times to meet your customers’ demands. With a strong focus on training and education for staff, you have the ability to improve efficiencies in productivity, sustainability and establish new market opportunities. SkillsConnect Australia aims to enhance your greatest assets – you and your staff – with our high quality industry-relevant, accredited training. We can assist you to identify what training will benefit your business, and provide you with the opportunity to access government and industry funding while training. This year, SkillsConnect Australia will be providing training in the following areas: • Renewable energy

• Energy auditing

• Confined spaces

• Elevated platform

• Electrical installation testing

• Cardio pulmonary rescue

• Home sustainability

• Photovoltaic grid systems

• Working safely at heights

• Low/high voltage rescue

• Hazardous areas

• First aid

To find out how you can take advantage of the SkillsConnect training programs, contact us on 1300 907 209 or email info@skillsconnect.edu.au For more information, visit www.skillsconnect.edu.au *formally trading as the Electrical and Communications Association Training

www.masterelectricians.com.au

February 2012 6, 9 February: Brisbane Testing Installation 7, 17, 27 February Melbourne Work Safely at Height training 16 February: Brisbane CPR/low Voltage Rescue 20 – 24 February: Sydney Open Cabling Registration 20 – 24 February: Melbourne Open Cabling Registration 21 February: Sydney Work Safely at Height training 29 February: Melbourne Apply First Aid

March 2012 5 – 9 March: Melbourne Installation and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas 5 – 9 March: Sydney Installation and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas 7, 17, 27 March: Melbourne Work Safely at Height training 15 March: Sydney Work Safely at Height training 15 March: Brisbane CPR/Low Voltage Rescue 22, 29 March: Brisbane Testing Installation

April 2012 4, 16, 26 April: Melbourne Work Safely at Height training 5 – 9 April: Melbourne Installation and maintenance of Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas 12 April: Brisbane CPR/Low Voltage Rescue 13 April: Melbourne Apply First Aid 16 – 20 April: Sydney Open Cabling Registration 23, 26 April: Brisbane Testing Installation For more information about these courses, visit www.skillsconnect.edu.au or call 1300 907 209. Disclaimer: Dates and times for courses can be changed without warning or notice at the discretion of SkillsConnect Australia.

Master Electricians Australia announces new vehicle partner to save you thousands Master Electricians, ECA members and their families and staff can save thousands on the purchase of any vehicle with the Motoring World new vehicle tendering system. Master Electricians Australia have secured a great motor vehicle deal with Motoring World Pty Ltd. who will deliver their unique car buying service to you, free of charge.* Motoring World uses a unique tender system for purchasing any new car and it enables you, your families and staff, to access vehicle prices that are not normally given to private or retail buyers. Their process gives you the opportunity to take advantage of Motoring Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s volume purchasing power with the fleet departments of all manufacturers. The tender process takes as little as four hours from the time of your first enquiry to placing the order for the vehicle.

The buying experience is hassle free and conducted from the comfort of your work place or home. It also saves you having to spend valuable time visiting dealerships negotiating and haggling on price. They can even organise finance and offer you a price on your trade-in at the same time. For more details visit www.motoringworld.com.au or phone Motoring world on 1300 770 682. *Standard fee is $165 for non-members

A wiring solution that caps them all!

Want to cut your wiring time in half? KolourWire is the new product that will save you time and money whilst improving the quality of your installation. Wiring multiple cables and pulling loops at the same time is now possible with the patent pending KolourWire tool allowing you to colour code your insulated cables quickly and easily. Once you try it youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll wonder how you ever worked without it!

This job usually takes five hours, I was able to complete it in one hour.

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

all about ME

Simone Walters, the founder, owner and manager of Waltlec Electrical, Airconditioning and Solar. Commercial Project of the Year was judged as the lifestyle housing unit complex fitted out by Edge Electrical (Aust) Pty Ltd. BGB Electrical was awarded Data Project of the Year for their work on Rio Tinto’s 26 level Queensland office in Brisbane worth $3.5million. The Green Project of the Year Award was given to SEDAC Energy Management for their Supermarket Lighting Reduction Project where they installed a new energy saving system in 525 stores across Australia. MineLec Pty Ltd received the Industrial Project of the Year Award for their upgrade of the CopperChem plant in Cloncurry. Innovative Product of the Year Award went to Mobile Test’n’Cal Australia which offers high voltage electrical testing and electrical calibration services as an onsite or mobile service.

2011 Apprentice of the Year, David Frampton from Scaussie Electrical and Communications

The ECA President’s Award went to Brisbane Branch Secretary, Janelle Miller. Mr Richards said judging the award nominees this year was particularly difficult.

Electrical superstars shine at Annual Excellence Awards

“The standard of work is improving year on year and the winners selected have demonstrated they are well and truly industry leaders.”

Some of the country’s best and brightest sparkies were celebrated at the Annual Excellence Awards held by Master Electricians Australia (MEA) and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) late last year.

New South Wales state manager appointed

Nine awards were given to members and individuals who demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen field at the Gala Dinner held in Brisbane. MEA Group CEO Malcolm Richards was impressed by all the award recipients, commending them on their stellar efforts throughout the year. “Each of the winners epitomise what Master Electricians is all about,” Mr Richards said. “Master Electricians Accreditation identifies businesses as national leaders in the electrical industry. It is a mark of excellence, communicating trust, quality, safety and integrity. We’re pleased to give recognition to such outstanding electrical contractors who personify the Master Electricians brand.” The Master Electrician of the Year was awarded to Power Integration, who places a strong emphasis on training of staff and positive company culture. Power Integration also received the award for Domestic Project of the Year for their work on a luxury riverfront home. The Apprentice of the Year was David Frampton who is employed by Scaussie Electrical and Communications. The honour of Business Woman of the Year was bestowed on www.masterelectricians.com.au

We are pleased to

announce the appointment of Jody McGann to the Master Electricians team in the position of State Manager – New South Wales. Jody has an extensive background in business development, strategic implementation, project management, sustainability, technical and HSE training, government relations and energy efficiency. She has worked across a number of industry sectors including manufacturing, mining, food and beverage, commercial fuels and renewable energy, including solar. Immediately prior to joining Master Electricians Australia, Jody was responsible for managing the Blacktown Solar City Project as part of the Australian Government’s Solar Cities program. Jody is based out of the new Parramatta office.

Put safety first and plan with professionals when renovating Master Electricians Australia has warned families not to take electrical work into their own hands when undertaking home renovations. Andrew Bailey from MEA said renos were a major undertaking and it’s important to plan every detail ahead. “People often only add electrical work as an afterthought,” he said. “You need to incorporate it right from the beginning, engaging a registered and licensed electrical contractor throughout the planning stages.” Mr Bailey said consulting with professionals can save you time and money down the track by avoiding the need to reverse any work done in error. He said one of the biggest issues homeowners face is incorrect placement of power points and light switches.

or architect and your electrician to discuss want you want from your electrical system. 2. Introduce energy efficiencies and reduce running costs by having an energy audit conducted, looking at different tariff options, and the installation of automatic lighting controls. 3. Get a written quote for the work that has been agreed to, including time frames and warranty of work and products installed. 4. Ensure there is insurance cover before entering a contract. 5. Confirm with the electrician where you want power points and light switches to be located. 6. Discuss the type of finish you want with the look of power points and light switches. You do not have to choose white, white or white.

We have provided ten tips for consumers to think about before undertaking their project:

7. Consider having surge protection installed, particularly if you live in an area with high summer storm activity.

1. Make an appointment with your builder

8. Think about upgrading older homes

from outdated meter panels and ceramic fuses to modern non toxic meter panels and safety switches. 9. Make sure everything is written down and all parties have a copy for later referral. 10. Ask the professional for advice, they’re trained to know best outcomes and have lots of experience. But keep in mind that it is your renovation, so subject to regulations and safety you have the final say on where items are placed.

Recruiting Now?

Energy Skills Solutions:

Post your job vacancies online for free

Upskill your workforce – skills evaluation, career and training advice.

Queensland’s electrical and communications jobs board. www.careersinenergy.com.au

A Free Service for Queensland individuals and employers – phone 3277 1333.

Energy Skills Solutions is a free service provided by Energy Skills Queensland on behalf of Skilling Solutions Queensland and the Queensland Government Energy Skills Queensland – Connecting Industry with Skills

The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

test drive

Nissan 370Z You work hard, you deserve a nice car. You’ve looked at sports cars, but they are too expensive. Enter the Nissan 370Z. For a very reasonable price tag, you can own a true-bred sports car that will give any of the $200,000 sports cars on the market a run for their money. Move over BMW and Mercedes – it’s Z time. By Master Electricians/simPRO Racing Team Manager, Andre Borell.

The Nissan 370Z is a seriously impressive piece of machinery.

The most striking thing about the 370Z is the exterior styling. The thing looks sexy! In fact, I think I overheard someone describe it as ‘horny’. Every line and curve of the 370Z’s body looks fantastic, and the overall package is stunning. The interior looks pretty swish as well, although it’s not as loud as the exterior. A little more simplistic and basic than the exterior, but still sporty and elegant. The interior has all the usual suspects, electric everything, climate control and a seriously nifty inbuilt sat nav system. It’s a fair bit better then aftermarket models, and miles better than other manufacturers inbuilt factory sat nav models. It’s easy to use and has a nice big screen. Very nice indeed. The automatic model has the option to switch to manual mode, where you can either use the gear stick as a sequential shifter, or flappy-paddles on the steering wheel. Now I’ve driven some pretty poor flappy-paddle cars, but this one is awesome. www.masterelectricians.com.au

Instant response, clean and crisp shifts, and it blips the throttle automatically on downshifts. It’s porn for your ears! Oh and did I mention it’s a 7-speed? Makes you feel like you’re driving an F1 car, it is seriously fun. I’m not sure why I’m going to write about practicality when the 370Z is a two-door, two-seat sports car, but I will anyway. Basically, the number one thing you need to know is that it’s low, seriously low! Getting in and out of it is less than elegant, but once you’re seated it’s a super nice driving position. You are sitting almost on the floor, so it’s an unusual feeling – but that adds to the feel of being in a proper sports car. You do need to be wary of some driveway entrances as the low ride height means it will scrape, but it’s manageable by driving up on an angle. Boot room is limited, but I have managed to fit a push bike in it! That was about all that would fit however; my bag had to sit on the passenger seat. If you’re not a fitness nut like me, and don’t care about push bikes in the boot, then I should tell you it fits about three slabs.

The engine and the power it delivers are amazing. It’s a 3.7L V6, and the thing is FAST! Scarily fast if you get excited with your right foot. I would not be lending this car to your teenage son, put it that way. When you’re not ‘testing maximum engine performance’ and are instead driving let’s say ‘normally’ or even ‘civilised’; it’s actually quite economical. I got it down to approximately 9L/100km when pottering about town for a while. Not great, but not too shabby for the type of car that it is. It’s never going to compete with a Getz on mileage now is it? Handling is sensational. The 370Z is planted to the road, simple as

that. It rides the bumps in the road well and has some serious grip, helped no doubt by the big wheels and wide tyres. Great handling and great power is after all what a sports car is designed for, and it delivers the goods. You know how I always say ‘I want one’ at the end of a review where I liked the car? Well I got one... that’s how good the 370Z is. Taking it for a drive will bring a smile to your face like a little kid. Isn’t that what you always wanted when you were young, a cool car that’s fun to drive? Well now you can have one for under $80,000.

events calendar FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

13-15 February 2012 High Risk OHS Summit 2012 Melbourne, Victoria www.acevents.com.au

6 – 8 March 2012 Occupational Health and Safety Summit Gold Coast, Queensland www.safetowork.com.au

17 - 18 April 2012 TechCon Asia-Pacific 2012 Sydney, New South Wales www.tjh2b.com.au

20 February 2012 Kitchen Bootcamp for Blokes Melbourne, Victoria www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

20 - 21 March, 2012 Smart Substations 2012 Melbourne, Victoria www.smartsubstations.com.au

22 - 23 February 2012 Electrical Safety in the Resources Industry 2012 Perth, Western Australia www.informa.com.au

23 March 2012 The Energy State of the Nation Sydney, New South Wales www.powertrans.com.au

17 – 19 April Safety in Action & Melbourne Materials Handling Melbourne, Victoria www.thesafetyshow.com

23 February 2012 The EcoGeneration Clean Energy Seminar Sydney, New South Wales www.solarmagazine.com.au

29 & 30 March 2012 Energising SEA Expo Sustainable Energy Association of Australia Perth, Western Australia www.energisingsea.com.au

24 February 2012 Maximising the Media in 2012 Melbourne, Victoria www.mediaexecutiveseminars.com

6 April Good Friday 7 April Easter Saturday 8 April Easter Sunday 9 April Easter Monday

Meet Nadia

she’s an apprenticeship expert.

Nadia knows everything there is to know about managing the complexities of electrical apprenticeships, because she’s done it for years! Nadia is the perfect extension to your management team, and will provide cost effective solutions tailored to your business. She will mentor and manage your apprentice through their apprenticeship, and she’ll work with you to ensure you’re meeting your obligations. Could your business benefit from an Apprenticeship Mentor like Nadia?

Call ApprenticeConnect Australia on 1300 663 793 to find out how they will take the hassle out of managing your apprentices.

Proudly supported by:

www.masterelectricians.com.au

IMPORTANT DATES THIS QUARTER

best or worst story

LIKE TO WIN $50? Send us your favourite picture or story and if we publish it, we’ll send you $50!

Temporary power anybody? Here is a photo taken recently from Russell Island. The extension lead feeding this switchboard is fed from a temporary power pole, the switchboard was alive with the cover left off, there is also no earth connection or M.E.N. The situation was corrected immediately. Thanks to Rob Forbes, $50 is on its way. Send your entries to magazine@masterelectricians.com.au for your chance to win.

Available 24/7 Add your business details Tell your story and describe what makes your business unique.

Because your business is more than just a listing. Did you know, electricians who claim and add content to their TrueLocal business listing can increase visits by up to 80%* ? – It’s easy and it’s free. Promote special offers, upload photos and engage with your customers. Visit truelocal.com.au/freelisting to get started. *Source: TrueLocal site data, Sept 2011

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The Master Electrician

Summer 2012

A product trusted by so mAny, cAn only be improved by the world leAder. hpm excel is becominG the All new excel life from leGrAnd HPM Excel has been a trusted name for decades in Australia, which is why you can only trust the world leader in manufacturing and supply of switches and sockets to improve it. Introducing the all new Excel life range from Legrand, featuring a dedicated plate and an all new common plate series to improve flexibility on the job. Innovations like an LED Illuminated Ring Kit to fit any standard rocker in the range. More electronic functions to meet changing customer demands. There are loads more innovations and improvements to make your job easier, all developed to give you new levels of product excellence for your everyday projects. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we call everyday excellence. Ask your wholesaler for Excel Life and try it on your next project. 1300 369 777 www.legrand.com.au

The all new common plate series.

More electronic functions.

New secure plate series.

New LED illuminated ring kit.

the last word Fire Safety It’s hard to watch the evening news each day without hearing about yet another house fire. Unfortunately some of them involve loss of life, and almost all of them involve substantial property loss, despair and anguish. The state fire brigades have done an excellent job of promoting smoke alarms, yet still these fires seem to be on the increase.

focus on this issue.

According to the ABS, there are more than 10,000 house fires in Australia each year, resulting in more than 70 deaths and 1,500 injuries. The cause of many of these blazes goes undetected as the evidence is destroyed in the process, but it has been well reported the volume of fires are caused by misuse or deteriorating electrical equipment.

1. Protect every circuit with a safety switch. In most cases, the safety switch will isolate power as soon as a fault has developed and may prevent that extra time it takes to go from a hot connection to an ignited fire; and

Most states remove electrical deaths caused by fire data from their reporting, as the sheer numbers would cause significant

As an industry that installs a dangerous commodity, we have a responsibility to make our product safer. The public looks to us to provide advice about electrical safety and we need to ensure we improve our performance in this area. In my mind there are two key pieces of advice we should always assist homeowners with:

2. Conduct regular safety inspections including thermo scanning of the main switchboard. Devices capable of checking a normal house are now quite reasonably priced so this should become part of your basic inspection.

While Queensland and Western Australia are moving forward on safety switch legislation, we should not wait for governments to provide the best quality advice to our customers.

MALCOLM RICHARDS Group CEO

2012 Training Courses

INVESTING IN SKILLS AND TRAINING Electro Group Training is pleased to offer a wide range of quality training programs to suit the Electrotechnology Industry Electro Group Training are your own not for profit skills centre owned and operated by your industry and proudly supported by the Electrical and Communications Association (ECA) and The Electrical Trades Union (ETU).

Our Skills Centre has highly qualified industry instructors to provide training in: • Electrician Apprenticeship – Stage 1 to 4 and Capstone assessment • Solar PV cell Install and Design (INCLUDES Work Safely at Heights Accreditation) • CPR/Resuscitation and Switchboard Rescue • Open Registration (ACMA Registration)

PHONE 3274 6288

or EmAIL training@electrogroup.com.au

We also offer a range of other services including competency assessments (electrotechnology). All training programs are conducted on our premises at Rocklea.

Electro Group Training 9 Railway Terrace Rocklea PO BOX 570 Moorooka Q 4105

www.electrogroup.com.au www.masterelectricians.com.au

Has your business got what it takes?

Becoming a Master Electrician has changed the way we think. It ensures that we conduct ourselves in a safe manner and that we comply with all of our OH&S requirements. I feel proud that I am an Accredited Master Electrician Frank Spiteri, A & F Electrical - Melbourne

Master Electricians deliver the highest quality, electrical safety, integrity and energy efficiency advice

Why become a Master Electrician? Research shows that consumers trust the ‘Masters’ brand, and are more likely to choose a Master Electrician over the competition. Buyers equate Master Electricians with experience, quality, reliability and integrity. Through our extensive advertising to public and industry on the benefits of using a Master Electrician, you will be in demand from the public, builders, principle contractors and the government. Master Electricians accreditation provides you with unlimited access to: • A wiring rules hotline • A large technical and standards advice team • Industry training and education • Employment and workplace relations advice • Expert advice on commercial and business matters • Regular up-to-date news and information • Use of the Master Electrician branding • Networking opportunities with industry supporters, suppliers, other allied trades and associated organisations

To find out how you can become a Master Electrician call 1300 889 198 or visit www.masterelectricians.com.au

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Volkswagen Amarok. The complete package. In its very first year in Australia, Volkswagen Amarok adds 4x4 Australia Magazine’s Ute of the Year 2011 Award to its Delivery Magazine Ute of the Year 2011 Award and its Five Star ANCAP rating. Now it’s your turn to judge. Test drive Amarok – the “Complete Package” – at your nearest Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealer today.