9 minute read
branch update
QLD BRANCH
Scan here to visit the NECA QLD homepage
BRANCH UPDATE
Christopher Gradwell
NECA QLD Member Manager
Welcome to our September issue of NeCA NeWS.
the last few months have been exceptionally busy here in Queensland. With member loyalty at an all-time high, and new membership sign-ups increasing at an accelerating rate, more and more members are benefiting from NeCA’s broad range of services.
NECA QLD Excellence Awards
NeCA has recognised the industry’s best at the 2022 NeCA Queensland Awards, which were held on Friday, 5 August 2022.
the sold-out event saw mC mick Colliss host 250 attendees at Sofitel brisbane Central, celebrating the very best electrical and communications projects from across the state.
NeCA CeO, Oliver Judd said, “Congratulations to our winners, who have not only showcased outstanding examples of the best our industry has to offer, but have also shown what is possible for the future of our industry.”
Winners of the 2022 awards were selected from an extremely strong field, with NeCA Queensland State membership manager, Chris Gradwell adding, “the finalists from all awards categories should be very proud. the calibre of work exhibited by our Queensland members is among the country’s best. I look forward to seeing how our winners fare at the NeCA National Awards in November.”
Congratulations to: tri Coast electrical, Give Industries, Green Switch electrical, Fredon, elonara, perigon, Northern energy Group and r&H electrical. Our apprentice winners are Harry renshaw, Kieran Cairns and ryan Williams.
With the national awards still to come, more details will be provided in the December issue of NeCA NeWS. In the meantime, we encourage you to visit NeCA.tV to watch the winners’ video clips.
Welcome to Michael Horsham
We welcome michael Horsham as an additional technical Support Advisor based in Queensland. Having worked in the industry for many years, michael has joined us from NeCA training, bringing a wealth of technical experience and knowledge. michael will assist the technical team, especially in Queensland, with responding to the hundreds of phone and email technical enquiries received from members each week.
If you have a technical query or require advice, you can call michael on 1300 361 099. As a NeCA member, you receive free unlimited phone and email support on all technical issues.
NECA’s Technical Knowledge Base
the new testing and tagging standard (AS/NZS 3760:2022 Inservice safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment and rCD’s) is now available on NeCA’s technical Knowledge base (tKb).
this standard has had a complete revision, superseding AS/NZS 3760:2010 and its Amendment No.1 (2011) and Amendment No.2 (2012). this edition is a full re-write and contains many changes throughout the document, including requirements for rCD testing by electrical contractors. For a full list of changes, members can log on to tKb.
If you have any enquiries relating to this standard, or other technical enquiries, please connect with NeCAs technical team.
Scan the Qr code to connect with NeCA technical.
Does your insurance policy contain restricted locations exclusions?
Some public liability insurance policies may have exclusions for work done in certain locations or industries. Commonly excluded areas include mines, quarries, airports or airfields, power generation and rail.
Did you know that you likely won’t be covered if you have a claim from work in an excluded location? An insurer may also limit cover for other claims if they determine a non-disclosure of work in an excluded location, meaning they charged the wrong premium.
If your insurance policy is coming up for renewal, we recommend you seek advice from NeCAGuard. they specialise in insurance packages tailored specifically for the electrical industry, including cover for contractors working in hazardous areas.
Scan the Qr code to submit an enquiry with NeCAGuard.
Chasing that final payment
As an electrical business owner, you may often find yourself in circumstances where payment has fallen due, but you have not been paid.
there are several reasons that you may find yourself in this situation. For example when there are:
½ a number of parties involved which affects the flow of payment; ½ procedures in place for requesting variations and making payment claims that haven’t been correctly followed; or ½ disputes over the completion of work. regardless of the reason, it is important to prepare for the possible need for debt recovery assistance.
NeCAs legal team recently held a webinar discussing the basic ‘must dos’ to ensure you get paid on time. members can log on to tKb to watch the webinar.
If you are experiencing difficulties in recovering debts owed, NeCA recommends that you contact our industry experts.
Scan the Qr code to submit your enquiry.
the electrical Safety Office (eSO) has issued a warning to electrical contractors about the need to follow the rules when it comes to advertising their business. eSO is trying to prevent unlicensed businesses from operating in the industry, so not following the rules could result in a fine.
When advertising your business your licence details must be included in the following:
½ websites and social media (see below for social media post exceptions); ½ newspaper and Yellow pages advertising; ½ posters, brochures and flyers; ½ fridge magnets and switchboard stickers; ½ vehicle signage; ½ radio and television advertising; and ½ telephone on-hold advertising.
On printed materials, the licence details must be displayed clearly enough to be easily read. For spoken advertising, the licence details must be clearly audible. You don’t need to include licence details on the following:
½ uniforms; ½ business cards and stationery; ½ online advertising if it links to your website or social media homepage, and the homepage has the licence number clearly displayed; ½ merchandising (e.g. hats, pens); ½ sponsorships (e.g. football jerseys); ½ shopfronts; or ½ telephone messenger service.
New Commissioner for Electrical Safety appointed
In August, the Queensland Government appointed Keith mcKenzie to the role of Commissioner for electrical Safety.
this is a statutory position that sits separate from the electrical Safety Office. the position reports straight to the minister for Industrial relations, and has the following primary roles:
½ chairing the electrical Safety board; ½ chairing the electrical
Licensing Committee; and ½ liaising with stakeholders on the strategic direction for electrical safety in the state.
Keith has served on a range of industry boards and committees, and has been a member of the electrical Safety board and the electrical Licensing Committee since 2011. Having worked across all areas of industry, he brings considerable experience in promoting safe work practices to his new role.
NeCA sits on the electrical Safety board, and has welcomed Keith’s appointment. We look forward to working with him to improve our industry’s safety.
ARE YOU RECEIVING NECA’S WEEKLY ENEWS?
NeCA’s weekly eNews educates electrical contractors on the latest industry information and the updates in technical, industrial relations, legal, human resoursces, workplace health and safety. If you are not receiving eNews and want to stay informed on industry issues, scan the Qr code to submit your details.
Recall on LG Home Energy Storage Batteries
the eSO is actively contacting more than 200 electrical contractors throughout Queensland who they believe have installed LG eSS Home energy Storage batteries between 2017 and 2019.
these batteries are being recalled in Australia due to the risk of overheating and catching fire. to date, four Queensland fires and nine nationally have been attributed to these batteries. the recalled batteries were manufactured between April 2017 and September 2018, and were originally sold under the name LG Chem Ltd (now LG energy Solutions). the model numbers for the affected batteries are: reSU3.3, reSU6.5, reSU10, reSU13, reSU7H type-r, reSU10H type-C, reSU10H type-r, reSU10H type-r (Secondary), S/A Gen2 1p (em048063p3S4) and S/A Gen2 2p (em048126p3S7).
While eSO has said that contractors are not responsible for the faulty batteries they may have installed, they do have a duty to alert householders of the batteries’ recall and to direct them to the recall site.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) cable installed to AS/NZS 5033:2021 – extension of compliance period
the use of solar pV cable complying with the requirements of the 2014 edition of AS/NZS 5033 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (pV) arrays, has been extended until 19 November 2022 in Queensland.
electrical contractors must ensure compliance criteria for solar pV cables are met before they are installed, and suppliers must ensure equipment criteria for solar pV cable are met before sale.
the 2021 edition of AS/NZS 5033 requires solar pV cables, that are not installed underground, to now comply with IeC 62930 electric cables for photovoltaic systems with a voltage rating of 1.5 kV DC.
the 2021 edition of AS/NZS 5033 superseded the 2014 edition on 19 may 2022, after a six-month transition period. Queensland’s eSO has extended the six-month transitionary period to 19 November 2022 to allow suppliers to sell existing solar pV cable, and for installers to install it. After this date, all solar pV cable must comply with the 2021 standard.
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP
members have access to email and phone support through our member Services team, ensuring that you and your business receive the right specialist advice when you need it. the NeCA team can assist your business with:
Get in touch today with Christopher Gradwell – your NeCA Queensland member manager.
½ SafetyStar - a free document-based management health, safety, environment and quality (HSeQ) system, designed to assist electrical contractors to meet minimum compliance; ½ unlimited phone and email support with technical, workplace health and safety (WHS), human resources (Hr) and industrial relations (Ir) issues; ½ unlimited access to NeCA’s technical Knowledge base (tKb) with the latest industry standards, WHS documents and Hr and Ir templates; ½ discounts, offers and deals on business essentials including fuel; ½ unlimited basic phone and email enquiries with our legal team; ½ workwear, corporate clothing and ppe targeted for the industry; ½ training and skills development; ½ free industry events and regular updates.
Bigger, better, brighter
The super fund that’s right by the side of the energy industry
Energy Super, LGIAsuper and Suncorp Super have come together to build positive retirement outcomes for our members. Meet Brighter Super (formerly known as Energy Super). We’re a 100% memberowned super fund, trusted by Queenslanders since 1965, and committed to achieving the best and brightest retirement outcomes for all members. Thanks to the combined strengths of three funds we proudly manage around $31 billion in retirement savings on behalf of 260,000 members*. Our increased size and scale mean we’re even more equipped to provide an outstanding personalised service while keeping our fees as low as possible. The energy sector remains as important to us as ever having been such an integral part of Energy Super’s history. We look forward to continuing our commitment to supporting the energy sector as we grow. We’re the super fund that’s right by your side through life’s changing moments. Talk to us today.
