For all the latest energy safety news visit www . esv . vic . gov . au
Winter 2016 energysafe issue 44
11
Commitment to industry remains the same after ESV restructure
By Brent Matthews , Manager Electrical Installation Safety
ESV ’ s structure has changed ( page 4 ) but the Electrical Installation Safety team ’ s commitment to industry remains the same .
ESV ’ s recent structural change established an Electrical Safety and Technical Regulation division that incorporates the Electrical Installation , Equipment and Infrastructure Safety sections .
Electrical Installation Safety continues to be committed to the electrical trade and carries out the same regulatory functions . Here are the best methods for contacting ESV to direct your queries to the correct department :
Electrical enquiries
For electrical technical queries call ESV ’ s electrical technical assistance line on ( 03 ) 9203 9700 and select option 2 from the menu . Alternatively , email ElectricalInstallationEnquiries @ energysafe . vic . gov . au
COES and general queries
For general advice and information or assistance with the Certificates of Electrical Safety ( COES ) system call ( 03 ) 9203 9700 and select option 3 or email your enquiry to coes @ energysafe . vic . gov . au
For lodgement of COES call the interactive voice response ( IVR ) line on 1300 360 366 .
Applications for exemption Applications for exemption from the Electricity
Safety ( Installations ) Regulations 2009 including the Wiring Rules and other normative standards can be made in accordance with regulation 401 . Write to The Manager Electrical Installation Safety providing the required information and completing the Energy Safe Victoria Credit Card / Cheque Payment Form for payment of the application fee .
An application for exemption form is produced by ESV and made available on the ESV website . You can submit your application in accordance with the requirements via » email r401exemptions @ energysafe . vic . gov . au »» fax ( 03 ) 9686 2197
»» post to : Application for exemption , Manager Electrical Installation Safety , Energy Safe Victoria , PO Box 262 , Collins Street West , Victoria 8007 .
Electrical incidents
A serious electrical incident is defined as an event that causes , or has the potential to cause the death of or injury to a person ; or significant damage to property ; or a serious risk to public safety . To notify ESV of a serious electrical incident , call 1800 000 922 as soon as possible .
To provide a written report within 20 business days of the incident , send it to : Attn : Electrical Incidents , Energy Safe Victoria , PO Box 262 , Collins Street West 8007 or email the report to info @ energysafe . vic . gov . au
Complaints To make a complaint about electrical safety , technical and regulatory compliance of electrical
Business as usual : Brent Matthews leads the Electrical Installation Safety team at ESV .
installations or electrical installation work , visit the ESV website . Refer to tips for making a written complaint and complete the online complaints form ( or download the pdf version ).
You may submit complaints by email to complaints @ energysafe . vic . gov . au or post them to Complaints Officer , PO Box 262 , Collins Street West , Victoria 8007 .
For general enquiries contact ESV on ( 03 ) 9203 9700 or email info @ energysafe . vic . gov . au
Between the covers of the Blue Book
By Loc Vuong , Senior Network Safety Engineer
Originally developed in the 1920s , the publication titled Electrical Safety Instructions set the Victorian electrical safety standards for both high and low voltage work and was informally referred to as the Blue Book .
The publication was intended to demonstrate how the State Electricity Commission of Victoria ( SECV ) complied with its legislative responsibilities for the provision of uniform practices to safely work on the electrical supply system or electrical installations .
It was also used by non-SECV generators and high voltage users including Alcoa , BHP and Telecom to develop internal safety rules .
With the commencement of the disaggregation of the SECV in the 1990s , the Blue Book ( Electrical Safety Instructions ) was revised and titled the Code of Practice on Electrical Safety in the Victorian Electricity Supply Industry .
With the opening of the industry to private electricity suppliers , the Blue Book was in the custody of the Office of Regulator General . However , the Victorian Electrical Safety Committee maintained and administered it .
Since then , the publication now called The Code of Practice on Electrical Safety in the Victorian Electricity Supply Industry is still referred to by its cover colour , and has helped save hundreds of lives over the past 85 years .
During the remaking of the Electricity Safety ( Network Assets ) Regulations 1999 , the responsibility for the administration of the Blue Book was transferred to the Office of the Chief Electrical Inspector ( OCEI ). THE OCEI ensured it was incorporated in the Electricity Safety ( Network Assets ) Regulations 1999 and the Electricity Safety ( Installations ) Regulations 1999 , to enable its enforcement and uniform adoption throughout the industry .
The OCEI also established a new Electrical Safety Committee ( ESC ) under section 10 of the Electricity Safety Act 1998 enabling changes and other amendments to be recommended to the Chief Electrical Inspector for inclusion or otherwise in the Blue Book .
In 2005 the OCEI became part of the newly established Energy Safe Victoria ( ESV ) through the enactment of the Energy Safe Victoria Act 2005 and the Electrical Safety Committee was re-established under section 8 of the Act .
Subsequently , the Blue Book ’ s formal title became The Code of Practice on Electrical Safety for Work on or Near High Voltage Electrical Apparatus .
Today the ESC consists of representatives of all key stakeholders including electricity generation , transmission and distribution companies , high voltage customers , railway and tramway companies , National Electrical and Communications Association ( NECA ), electrical training providers , Electrical Trades Union , WorkSafe and ESV .
Breaches of the Blue Book are enforceable under the Electricity Safety Act and associated regulations such as Electricity Safety ( Management ) Regulations 2009 or the Electricity Safety ( Installations ) Regulations 2009 .