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EWRB Changes to Electrical Worker Registration

  • EWRB Changes to Electrical Worker Registration

    Posted by Hayley Head on 29 July 2024 at 9:33 am

    The EWRB are introducing changes to all of the registration classes for electrical workers, these changes begin to come into effect from September 2024.

    Click on the link below to find out more about the changes

    Changes to Electrical Worker Registration | Electrical Workers Registration Board (ewrb.govt.nz)

    The new stepped framework will better outline Registration and Licensing requirements for Electrical Workers. The framework also introduces new classes of Registration and competency requirements.

    These changes include:

    • Changes to the requirements for Registration classes.
    • Changes to the limits of work that can be carried out by each class of Registration to align more closely with the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.
    • New endorsed classes of Registration to recognise the unique risks in particular working environments, including medical cardiac protected areas, hazardous areas, mains parallel generation systems, mining operations and supervision.
    • A new way for Electrical Workers to progress through Registration classes and the industry.

    The EEA are concerned about the lack of communication about these stepped changes, and the lack of a plan on implementation, training pathways or clear ability for electrical workers to gain the new endorsements apart from the newly advised grandfathering process and even that is not clear.

    1st September 2024

    The changes that apply from 1st September this year include

    Electrical Inspector:

    • This class now has only 1 option for Registration, which requires 3 years practical experience carrying out prescribed electrical work.
    • This class now requires Registration as an Electrician or an Electrical Engineer (with a limit of work equivalent to an Electrician) for at least 3 years.

    Electrical Engineer:

    • The practical experience requirement for this class has increased from 1 to 2 years.

    Distribution Line Mechanic and Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed):

    • These 2 Registration classes are merging into a single class. The current limits of work for Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed) will be covered by the new Distribution Line Mechanic Registration class.

    Please share your thoughts in the discussion below or email Hayley directly.

    The EEA are currently having regular meetings with the EWRB but will be sending a formal letter to address our concerns.

    Master electricians also have some info and concerns raised on their website and Electrical Safety New Zealand Inc have shared an open letter they sent to the EWRB (Saved in the forum files)

    The EWRB did have a consultation on these changes in 2021, where they received only 85 submissions. So far, the only communication has been through their Electron Newsletter

    Hayley Head replied 6 months, 1 week ago 3 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Bill Doig

    Member
    29 July 2024 at 10:18 am

    Its just crazy. We put quite a few line mechanics through the L4 Fault Response and switching qualification 3586 with the faults extension so we could have line mechanics working up to the main switch and doing meter/relay changes with the endorsement and then EWRB changes the rules again and is making this the employers responsibility to deem them competent. Oh well, guess the qualification backs it up 😒

  • Mark Keller

    Member
    29 July 2024 at 10:54 am

    Thanks Hayley, I have two concerns, firstly supervision, there is no mention of how someone can gain this endorsement.

    Those seeking registration as a Distribution Line Mechanic (Endorsed Supervision) must have:

    1. held registration as a Distribution Line Mechanic for a period of not less than 12 months; and
    2. adequate knowledge, training, skills, and experience satisfactory to the Board of:
      1. the control of electrical hazards; and
      2. the use of the Board’s supervision policy and guides; and
      3. the performance of safe and compliant supervision functions in the workplace; and
      4. risk management.

    Satisfactory to the Board? It would be good to get some guidance on this.

    Secondly the removal of the Endorsed Line Mechanic that required the Faultman qual for registration has been removed and the limits of work moved directly to the Line Mechanic class of registration.

    (1) A Distribution Line Mechanic may, subject to the limitations set out in (2) and any additional limitations and terms and conditions set by the Board, do the following on installations, works and appliances:

    1. carry out any PEW but only in relation to conductors used as electric lines;
    2. carry out any PEW for the restoration of supply;
    3. carry out testing and certification of work identified under (1)a. and b. provided that it is their own work.

    Is there enough training in the Line Mechanic qualification to allow for the purpose of fault restoration any work inside the Main Earth Neutral Switch Board on the consumers mains, including the fittings?

     

    How will others in industry manage this change of class?

  • Hayley Head

    Organizer
    31 July 2024 at 4:49 pm

    As an electrician I received this in my in-box today:

    Electrical Worker registration and licensing is changing from 1 September

    Tēnā koe Hayley

    A new Registration framework for Electrical Workers will take effect on 1 September 2024. As an Electrical Worker, you need to be aware of these changes and what they mean for you.

    The new stepped framework will better outline Registration and Licensing requirements for Electrical Workers. The framework also introduces new classes of Registration and competency requirements.

    We have pulled together a summary of these changes for you on our website, and outlined any next steps you may need to take for your registration.

    Changes to Electrical Worker Registration | Electrical Workers Registration Board (ewrb.govt.nz)

    Registration class changes – what the changes mean

    Changes have taken place across all of the registered Electrical Worker licences, and there are some things you should be aware of.

    Under the new framework:

    · Some existing Registration classes have different Registration requirements.

    · New classes of Registration will be recognised.

     

    · Limits of work have changed. These outline the work that an Electrical Worker is authorised to carry out while holding that registration class.

    Registration class changes | Electrical Workers Registration Board (ewrb.govt.nz)

    Preparing for the change

     

    There are a few things you can do to ensure you are prepared for the upcoming changes to the Electrical Worker framework, including keeping a record of your experience and training and ensuring you are aware of the changes to the limits of work for your registration class.

    Registration class changes | Electrical Workers Registration Board (ewrb.govt.nz)

    Changeover to digital licences

    As of September 2024, we will no longer issue plastic ID cards for Electrical Workers. When registering or renewing from September you will be able to download your digital licence showing your photo and classes of registration.

    If you have a plastic ID card, you can continue using this as long as your licence remains active and the card displays your current Registration classes.

     

    When available, your new digital license will be available to be downloaded from the Electrical Worker portal.

    Licence IDs | Electrical Workers Registration Board (ewrb.govt.nz)

    Subscribe to Electron

     

    The Electron newsletter keeps you up to date with the latest regulatory changes, exam reports, technical issues, consultation results and other issues affecting Electrical Workers. We will continue to communicate core changes to registration in the coming emails.

    Get the latest from EWRB (confirmsubscription.com)

  • Julie Muxworthy

    Member
    1 August 2024 at 9:04 am

    Hi Hayley,

    Thanks for sharing your letter. I’ll post separately concerning the changes that have been formally notified but I noticed that there appears to be a change to remove physical licences from next month. We haven’t been notified of this change previously and wondering what peoples view are on implications?

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