Bad-wiring fine up in new bill

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 1

Bad-wiring fine up in new bill

PA '' • ’ Wellington An electricians amendment Bill which increases from $4OO to $5OOO the maximum fine that may be imposed on conviction for deliberately or negligently doing electrical wiring in a manner dangerous to life, was introduced in Parliament yesterday. The bill, in the hands of the Minister of Electricity (Mr Holland), also extends to electricians the provision whereby partlyqualified persons for whom an apprenticeship is not practicable may assist in doing electricial wiring work.

The additional experience would enable them to complete their qualifica-

tion for registration under the principal act, the bill says.

Power is also given under the bill to the Electricians’ Registration Board to withdraw any permission to assist in doing electrical wiring work where conditions imposed have not been met.

The principal act provides that where any electrical wiring work is done in connection with the manufacture or assembly of any electrical apparatus or appliance, the work shall be done by an authorised person or supervised, inspected, and tested by an authorised person. At present the person who does this inspection, testing, and supervision is

either the person who manufactures or assembles the equipment or a fulltime employee of that person.

The Electricians Amendment Bill removes that restriction but provides that, where any part-time person is employed, a register of all inspections and tests be kept and be available for inspection by an authorised board representative. The Opposition spokesman on energy Mr R. L. Bailey (Lab., Heretaunga), said the legislation, which had been in preparation before the change of Government last November, had gone some way to increasing the safety standards within the electricity industry.