Key Takeaways
- WorkSafe has issued guidance to electrical workers over a rule change that lifts a ban on inserting a switch, circuit, or fuse into mains power earthing systems in houses and businesses.
- The change has been met with criticism from industry groups, including the Electrical Inspectors Association and Master Electricians, who warn that it is dangerous.
- WorkSafe defends the change, stating that it enables the safer introduction of new technologies and charging electric vehicles.
- The agency advises workers not to switch a protective earth conductor or PEN conductor unless they are following a document related to the Electricity Act that explicitly details when particular switching is appropriate.
- WorkSafe is working on replacement guidelines for Electric Vehicle (EV) safety charging and further technical guidance on protective earth neutral conductor (PEN) switching.
Introduction to the Rule Change
The Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) has made hundreds of updates to electrical safety rules, advised by WorkSafe, to enable the safer introduction of new technologies and charging electric vehicles. One of the changes, which has been met with criticism from industry groups, lifts a ban on inserting a switch, circuit, or fuse into mains power earthing systems in houses and businesses. This change has been warned to be dangerous by several industry groups, including the Electrical Inspectors Association and Master Electricians. Despite the criticism, WorkSafe has issued guidance to electrical workers, stating that the electricity safety regulations in place since 2010 "do not deem the switching of a protective earth conductor or PEN conductor as electrically unsafe".
Industry Reaction to the Rule Change
The industry groups have rejected WorkSafe’s guidance, with the Electrical Inspectors Association and Master Electricians calling for urgent action to reverse the rule change. Engineering NZ has also written to WorkSafe, calling on it to reverse the change. The association stated that while it was technically correct that switching was not deemed unsafe in the regulations, the advice was "simply wrong". WorkSafe has defended its guidance, stating that deleting the clauses enables New Zealand to address emerging risks associated with the New Zealand multiple earthed neutral system (MEN). The agency also noted that the change would improve the resilience of an electrical installation in the face of a natural disaster and address risks associated with supply faults occurring during the charging and discharging of electric vehicles.
WorkSafe’s Guidance and Next Steps
WorkSafe has advised workers not to switch a protective earth conductor or PEN conductor unless they are following a document related to the Electricity Act that explicitly details when particular switching is appropriate. The agency is working on other replacement guidelines for Electric Vehicle (EV) safety charging, which requires specific rules. Further technical guidance on protective earth neutral conductor (PEN) switching is expected to be released next year. WorkSafe noted that anyone carrying out work on an installation must ensure that the resulting electrical installation is electrically safe, and anyone carrying out design work for an electrical installation must ensure that the resulting installation will be safe if the design is followed. The agency’s guidance and next steps aim to address the concerns of industry groups while enabling the safer introduction of new technologies and charging electric vehicles.
Conclusion and Implications
The rule change and WorkSafe’s guidance have significant implications for electrical workers and the industry as a whole. While the change aims to enable the safer introduction of new technologies and charging electric vehicles, it has been met with criticism from industry groups who warn that it is dangerous. WorkSafe’s guidance and next steps aim to address these concerns while ensuring that electrical installations are safe. The agency’s defense of the change and its guidance highlight the need for careful consideration and consultation with industry groups when making changes to electrical safety rules. As the industry continues to evolve and new technologies emerge, it is essential to prioritize electrical safety and ensure that regulations and guidelines are in place to protect workers and the public.