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Archive 2013

NICEIC News Archive 2013

Millions of Brits could be facing a DIY death trap - January

Free training for all Electrical Safety Register listed firms - January

NICEIC sign up 17,000th contractor - January

Government reduces Building Regs red tape - January

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Government plans to reduce Building Regs red tape

Proposed amends reflect sector demands, say ECA and NICEIC

The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and NICEIC have welcomed Government plans to reduce the number of notifiable works, saying it will cut some of the red tape faced by industry,

Both also say that the launch of the Electrical Safety Register (www.electricalsafetyregister.com) in November fits well with the Government’s plans to work with external partners to promote the use of certified electricians.

The Government has declared Part P to be a success and has announced plans to streamline and improve electrical safety. It signalled its intention to focus notification requirements on higher risk jobs, such as the installation of new circuits. This reflects the recommendation of the joint submission made by the ECA and NICEIC in its response to the consultation on Building Regulations in early 2012.

Steve Bratt, ECA Group CEO, says: “While we await full details, we are delighted that the Government has listened to industry. A tighter focus on notification requirements will maintain safety, while reducing the burden placed on electrical contractors. This is exactly what we need to ensure the Regulations protect the public, while ensuring our sector can still benefit from vital work opportunities.”

Emma Clancy, NICEIC CEO says: “The Government’s intention to work with external partners to promote the use of qualified electricians is an important step forward. The newly launched Electrical Safety Register is perfectly placed to communicate to the general public not only why certification is important, but where they can find a certified electrician. We are delighted that Government is in sync with the electrical industry about the best way of ensuring safety.”

The Government has also announced plans to bring forward regulations that will allow third parties, other than Building Control, to certify work carried out by DIYers.

Bratt continues: “There is no uniform cost for certification by local authority building control, so this could create a potential new workstream for electricians where local authority costs are high. Time will tell whether this policy will prove successful, but we hope contractors will be able to reap the benefits.”

In February 2012, Steve Bratt and Emma Clancy were among a panel of leading electrical contracting industry figures called in front of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee to discuss electrical safety as part of the Building Regulations and the Government’s then ongoing review of the Building Regulations.

Published 10 January 2013
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NICEIC sign up 17,000th Approved Contractor


More than 17 000 firms are now registered as an Approved Contractor with NICEIC – the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry.

The 17 000th business was registered last month proving more than ever that electrical firms want to have their work checked and assessed. NICEIC now maintains a total roll of more than 26 000 registered contractors (including domestic installers). 

Electrical firm A R Morrison Electrical Services based in Halifax was the 17,000th customer. The firm is managed by Anthony Morrison - an electrician with more than 25 years experience in the trade. He set up his own business three years ago – originally as a domestic installer before he switched over to an Approved Contractor.

Anthony said NICEIC was the obvious choice for his business. “I have always found dealing with NICEIC very straightforward and all the firms I have worked for have been NICEIC registered.

“Being an Approved Contractor has increased my work load. The half day site inspections from the area engineer have been a great help and a real benefit to my company.”

Anthony’s growing business means he has been able to take on a young apprentice - Stephen Kinder (pictured). He added: “It gives me great satisfaction to offer someone a chance to learn the trade at such a difficult economic time.”

NICEIC has witnessed an increasing number of applications from firms looking for accreditation in recent months.

Alan Wells, Certification Director at NICEIC, comments: “This is positive news for the industry as a whole.  In difficult trading conditions it would be easy for firms or individuals to cut back on items such as certification.

“However, it would seem firms are keen to have the quality of their work assessed and gain NICEIC certification because of the benefits it brings to their business.”

In addition, contractors registering with NICEIC now benefit from the recent merger between the ESC (Electrical Safety Council) and the ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association).

The partnership, between two of the industry’s leading bodies, means all firms registering with NICEIC will feature on the new Electrical Safety Register – the definitive searchable database for registered electricians.

Featuring the details of more than 36,000 businesses across the UK www.electricalsafetyregister.com is the number one place to find a competent electrician. 

Published 16th January 2013

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Free training for all Electrical Safety Register listed firms

All registrants on the new Electrical Safety Register are to receive free training as more details of the partnership between the ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association) and ESC (Electrical Safety Council) are revealed.

In November last year the two organisations announced they were forming a new venture – CertSure. As part of that move CertSure set up the Electrical Safety Register – a searchable website containing the details of more than 36 000 NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA members.

The partnership has now announced that all registrants will be offered free access to online training in renewable technologies.  The qualification in environmental technologies will provide contractors with a basic knowledge in the fundamental working practices, installation options and regulatory requirements for micro-renewable energy and water conservation technologies.

Emma Clancy, CEO of CertSure commented: “Our customers have always been at the heart of this partnership and when we launched we said there would be benefits for everyone.

“The register and free training are both in line with this commitment and we look forward to rolling out a programme of other benefits over time.

 “The renewables industry is set to be a big market for electrical contractors over the next few years. By providing free training in this area we are ensuring our contactors are well set to take advantage.

“We want our customers to be the best in the business and we commit to our promise of promoting them extensively to specifiers of electrical work.”

In 2011 the ECA teamed up with NICEIC to produce 2021 Vision: The Future of the Electrical Contracting Industry – a major piece of research designed to provide a long term vision of the electrical industry.

The study revealed that opportunities in the electrical sector over the next decade are inextricably linked to the UK’s sustainable future.  The shift towards renovation and refurbishment along with a drive to reduce carbon will ensure that those with the necessary skills will benefit.

“As the UK strives to achieve ambitious targets for carbon reduction, the electrical industry finds itself in a leading position to take advantage of the opportunities that the drive for carbon reduction brings. Those contractors who are willing to develop and learn new skills will grow and thrive,” added Emma.

The training will be web based and will be rolled out to all Electrical Safety Register registrants from April 1 – when CertSure is officially launched.

To view the Electrical Safety Register log on towww.electricalsafetyregister.com

For more information about this release please contact Richard Pagett, External Affairs Director, CertSure on 01582 539020 or email Richard.pagett@certsure.com

Published 25 January 2013
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Millions of Brits could be facing a DIY death trap

Electrical Safety Council charity issues stark warning as study reveals approximately 6.2 million Brits could be living in an illegally wired home that may be putting lives at risk.

What devoted DIYers are failing to realise is that they could face hefty fines or even prosecution by doing what they believe is simple electrical work around their home.

A new survey by charity the Electrical Safety Council shows that millions of people are attempting electrical jobs such as rewiring and installing complicated electrical equipment in an attempt to save cash.  What they don’t know is that by law, electrical work must be carried out by a registered electrician, or at least approved by a local building control office.

Experts are worried that this lack of understanding could result in serious injury or death, with figures from the Electrical Safety Council showing that electricity kills at least one person in their home each week, with almost 1,000 seriously injured every day1.  By placing more importance on cost, rather than credentials, many homeowners could be putting their lives at risk in an attempt to save money.

The survey reveals that one in seven consumers have rewired areas of their home, one in five have carried out a fuse box change, one in six have attempted an electrical installation in the garden, while one in eight have or would attempt to install under floor areas of their home.

As a result, more than a third of registered electricians are called to fix botched jobs at least once a month and almost one in five contractors have seen dodgy electrical work, which has caused injury to the homeowner. 

Shockingly, a quarter of Brits did not know that if you are conducting electrical work in the bathroom, kitchen or garden you need to get the work done by a registered electrician or notify your local building control office, otherwise the work could be illegal.

Further to this, one in six did not know it is a criminal offence to carry out work that does not comply with building regulations, while one in five are not aware that when moving into a new home, you should always ask to see a certificate to prove the house meets the current wiring regulations. 

The Electrical Safety Council is therefore urging anyone planning on carrying out electrical work in their home to always use a registered, competent electrician to ensure that the work will always meet the necessary regulations.

Phil Buckle, director general of the Electrical Safety Council, comments: “Some of the figures from this survey are truly alarming.  There is clearly a need to continually educate homeowners on the dangers of electricity in the home.

“With this in mind, the Electrical Safety Register was launched by our  charity in partnership with the Electrical Contractors’ Association to offer consumers an easy to use database, where they can find a certified contractor and be sure that the work that is carried out will be safe and up to standard.

“We hope that by launching the Register, we can help to reduce the number of deaths and accidents that occur each year through incorrect electrical work.”

Tony Cable, spokesperson for the Electrical Safety Register, adds: “These shocking survey results really do highlight the importance of the Electrical Safety Register.

“It is vital that people make sure that the electrician is registered, especially since less than a quarter of those asked even bother to check their sparky is fully certified.

“When looking for someone to carry out electrical work, too many homeowners are making their decisions based on cost, rather than credentials; a mistake that can prove to be deadly.  Therefore we are urging people to use the Electrical Safety Register to help them to find a competent local electrician, so that they can stay safe in their home.”

To search for a competent electrical contractor near you visit:www.electricalsafetyregister.com.

Published 10 January 2013
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