- ELECTRICIAN ELECTROCUTED WORKING AT A DOMESTIC PROPERTY
- SUPERIOR TRAINING SIGNS UP TO DELIVER HVACR & ELECTRICAL MACG COURSE
- INTERESTED IN BECOMING A TRAINER WITH NECA TRAINING?
- GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES LOCAL TASKFORCES TO AID JOBS RECOVERY
- ENA ANNOUNCES 2020 ENERGY NETWORKS AWARDS SHORT LIST
- ENERGY SECURITY BOARD RELEASES POST 2025 MARKET DESIGN CONSULTATION PAPER
- THE NEXT ELECTRICITY STATEMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES (ESOO)
- SEEDING PROGRESS FOR HYDROGEN
1. ELECTRICIAN ELECTROCUTED WORKING AT A DOMESTIC PROPERTY
WorkSafe Victoria has issued an alert “about the risk of installing cables in older domestic properties where the electrical supply has not been de-energised and/or the integrity of existing electrical cable is not known.” Safety alert was published on Wednesday 26 Aug 2020.
Background
The report by WorkSafe Victoria on the background to the incident states the following:
“Recently a licenced electrician working at an older domestic property was fatally electrocuted.
The electrician was under the house, preparing to install a cable to a power point within the house. The electrical supply was not de-energised at the time.
The electrician had dropped a stringline inside the wall cavity, and was attempting to hook the stringline so the cable could be pulled up to the switchboard. The hook used was metal and came into contact with an existing live electrical cable.
It is believed the existing cable’s insulation was compromised, likely due to its age, and the metal hook came into contact with the live conductor.”
This incident reinforces the need for employers and electrical workers to establish, have in place and observe risk mitigation mechanisms and safe systems of work. The SafeWork Victoria Alert re-affirms recommended ways to control risks, as per the following:
Recommended ways to control risks
- Develop a safe work method statement (SWMS) for the electrical work.
- Identify and assess the scope of works and assess the work area for electrical cables.
- De-energise the installation or part of the installation to eliminate the risk of an electrical shock, for example by removing the electricity service fuse.
- Use appropriate signage.
- Verify the installation is de-energised – Treat the electrical installation as energised until testing confirms that de-energisation has been achieved.
- Use a safe system of work – Safe systems of work should be developed and followed along with risk controls, to reduce the risk to people.
The alert also re-states the legal obligations on the parties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, potential safety risks in carrying out electrical work, other safety risks that may be present at older properties and resources that are available and can be used to facilitate safer work on or near electrical installation and equipment, such as:
- Australian Standard AS/NZS 4836 – Safe working on or near low-voltage electrical installations and equipment.
For more details on the incident visit the WorkSafe Victoria Safety Alert page and more advice visit: SAFETY ALERT PAGE – ELECTRICAL INCIDENT
This incident heightens the reasoning as to why the NSW Electrical Safety Project (ESP) was established. It was established to provide and promote information about improving electrical Safe Work Practice and provide exemplar Safe Work Procedures (SWPs) for use in training, or adaptation by micro-businesses and self-employed in the utilities and electrotechnology industries. Visit the site to learn more: www.esproject.com.au
2. SUPERIOR TRAINING SIGNS UP TO DELIVER HVACR & ELECTRICAL MACG COURSE
In a timely development, the E-Oz Skills Migration Evaluation Committee has reviewed an expression of interest application by the Superior Training Centre (STC) and licensed it to deliver the following Minimum Australian Context Gap Courses (MACG), as a formally recognised pathway for Offshore/Onshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) holders:
- Electrician – Course 10809NAT, and
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning – 10878NAT
NSW has been without a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering the programs for OTSR holders. This is an important development in having such courses available in NSW to increase opportunities and pathways for respective overseas trade holders.
The NSW UE ITAB congratulates STC on its successful application and looks forward to them contributing to training and assessment solutions that help increase the electrical and HAVCR skills pool in NSW. It is understood that due to tooling-up and administrative, scope extension processes, commencement of the two programs will not occur until 4 February 2021.
If you would like more information or wish to learn more about STC visit: www.stc.nsw.edu.au
Or, contact Ben Peters at 02 9618 6809 or ben@stc.nsw.edu.au
Training centre: Unit 1, 13 York Rd, Ingleburn NSW 2565
3. INTERESTED IN BECOMING A TRAINER WITH NECA TRAINING?
NECA Training is looking for an electrical apprentices trainer to join its growing ranks at its new Chullora training centre. This exciting and rewarding position involves the delivery of training to electrical apprentices ranging form 1st through to 4th year.
If you feel you have the aptitude and passion, and meet the essential criteria in the job requirements as advertised on SEEK, visit the advert and apply.
Essential criteria includes:
- Electrical licence in any Australian State or Territory
- Completed or enrolled in Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment or equivalent
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
- Ability to work with minimal supervision
- Cope well with a changing environment
- Sound knowledge of workplace safety requirements
The link to the job advert is: ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE TRAINER
4. GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES LOCAL TASKFORCES TO AID JOBS RECOVERY
The Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, The Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash announced last week of a new program expected to aid the jobs recovery. The Media Release, regarding the program states, “More than 900,000 job seekers are set to benefit from local jobs taskforces with specialised expertise and knowledge to get more Australians back into work.
Recognising the importance of local knowledge, the Morrison Government is investing $62.8 million in a Local Jobs Program to support the nation’s recovery.
As part of the program, 14 Employment Facilitators, in addition to the existing 11 facilitators, will be engaged and expanded to help connect job seekers to local employment opportunities.
The Employment Facilitators will act as on-the-ground presence that work with local job seekers in specific regions to connect them with training, job opportunities or other support.
These Employment Facilitators will chair Local Jobs and Skills Taskforces across Australia. The taskforces will bring together local employers, employment and training providers and other local stakeholders, to develop projects to get job seekers back into work. Local Recovery Funds will be available in each selected region to support this approach.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said tailoring solutions specific to each local area was vital to helping regions recover.”
…
“The Local Jobs Program will run until 30 June 2022. The employment regions in NSW, included in this measure are:
- Illawarra South Coast *
- Hunter *
- New England and North West *
- Mid North Coast
- North Coast
- Sydney Greater West
- Sydney South West
* These Employment Regions already have an Employment Facilitator. The role of these existing facilitators will be expanded to include oversight of the Local Jobs Program.”
For more details visit: www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program
5. ENA ANNOUNCES 2020 ENERGY NETWORKS AWARDS SHORTLIST
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) has released the list of finalists of its 2020 Energy Network Industry Awards. It reports that 15 nominations were received for the Consumer Engagement Award and 11 nominations for the Industry Innovation Award.
The Industry Innovation Award finalists were:
- Energy Queensland – Smart solar export in real-time via Dynamic Operating Envelopes
- SA Power Networks – Advanced VPP Grid Integration Trial
- TransGrid – Unmanned aircraft (drone) power line stringing program and
- Western Power – Autonomous Grid modelling and solution.
The Industry Innovation Award 2020 recognises leadership in the design, development and application of a ground-breaking Australian energy network initiative, technology, service or solution. A judging panel has been assembled to review the applications, and select the Award winners.
For more information visit: 2020 ENERGY NETWORKS AWARDS or contact Alicia White on awards@energynetworks.com.au or (03) 9103 0402.
6. ENERGY SECURITY BOARD RELEASES POST 2025 MARKET DESIGN CONSULTATION PAPER
The Energy Security Board (ESB) has released a consultation paper in response to the request by the COAG Energy Council (‘the Energy Council’) for the ESB to advise on a long-term, fit-for-purpose market design for the National Electricity Market (NEM). The paper states, that “The request recognised the challenges faced by the current NEM design … and that a new design should comply with the National Electricity Objective (‘the NEO’). The NEO is:
‘to promote efficient investment in, and efficient operation and use of, electricity services for the long term interests of consumers of electricity with respect to –
- price, quality, safety, reliability and security of supply of electricity; and
- The reliability, safety and security of the national electricity system.”
Dr Kerry Schott AO, Independent Chair of the ESB, stated in the media release, “We release the post 2025 market design consultation paper today.
There is no doubt that developing a roadmap for the transformation of how we generate, transmit, distribute and use energy is needed. This consultation paper covering seven market design initiatives is testament to that. These are complex and technical issues that require analysis and at the end of the day need to hang together in a coherent national electricity market design. …
Just as the power system is greater than the individual components, so too are the collective contributions of those who have an interest in getting things right.
We look forward to your feedback towards delivering the results of this consultation and recommendations to energy ministers at the end of this year.”
For more information and a copy of the Consultation Paper visit: ENERGY SECURITY BOARD POST 2025 MARKET DESIGN CONSULTATION PAPER
7. THE NEXT ELECTRICITY STATEMENT OF OPPORTUNITIES (ESOO)
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) reports on the release of the 2020 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO). It states, “2020 has been a year worth skipping for sure – between a global pandemic, bushfires and transmission towers trashed by severe winds, we’re all suffering crisis fatigue. On a more positive note, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released the 2020 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) last Thursday. This year’s ESOO is surprisingly more positive than last year – although there are no guarantees.
Key statements include:
“The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has forecast the reliability outlook for the next decade based on existing and committed generation capacity.
The 2020 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) forecast shows that there is no breach of the reliability standard in the next decade in contrast to last year’s report, Figure 1 and Figure 2. In fact, most states also look favourable compared with the interim reliability target imposed on retailers.
Key changes to improve the USE
- Lower energy consumption forecast
- Uplift of PVNew/retiring generation
- AEMO forced outage rates for thermal generation
…
Meeting or not meeting the reliability standard does not mean there will be no localised blackouts. However, a more interconnected grid with reduced congestion does provide more flexibility to share generation and firm capacity to improve reliability.”
For information visit: WHAT’S CHANGED IN A YEAR? THE NEXT ESOO
For more, contact Verity Watson, Energy Networks Australia
8. SEEDING PROGRESS FOR HYDROGEN
Energy Network Australia (ENA) reports on an announcement that it has welcomed of the Regional Hydrogen Technology Clusters Seed Funding Program. In its 2 September 2020 media release it states, “The National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) scheme aims to build the skills, capacities and commercialisation opportunities necessary to unlock Australia’s enormous potential to create a global hydrogen export market.”
Energy Networks Australia Head of Gas, Dr Dennis Van Puyvelde, said it was good to see progress on actions outlined in the National Hydrogen Strategy.
“Technology clusters will support the development of different technologies to bring down costs of hydrogen production, transport and end-use,” Dr Van Puyvelde said.
“Mapping the hydrogen landscape will create better opportunities to collaborate on technology development and integrate supply chains.
“Networks are already pushing ahead with hydrogen demonstration projects, with two already in operation and two more under construction.”
More information on the future of gas in Australia can be found in GAS VISION 2050.
For a web version of this media release, CLICK HERE.
Media Contact: Michael Lewis, (03) 9103 0405, mlewis@energynetworks.com.au