INTRODUCTION
It is not a secret that an electrical license holds limitless benefits for the holder, especially given the pay and job prospects of what seems like a very insignificant asset to possess. In fact, it seems to be so insignificant to some, that fraudulent activity surrounding the creation and use of fake electrical licenses has become largely popular – whilst some even have the guts to work without any license at all!
There is, however, a huge reason as to why authorities in NSW have become so demanding of personnel to attain, renew and display electrical licenses – before getting their hands dirty with some real electrical work…
“ You must have an electrical licence before starting any electrical wiring work in NSW, regardless of the cost or type of work “ ~ Fair Trading Website, link below.
{Check out this page in detail here :}
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
Even after reading the above link’s contents, you may be left wondering – WHAT is the DEAL with a tiny piece of plastic?? Well, in order to first RECEIVE the “piece of plastic”, all personnel must go through hours and hours of continuous study. The Electrician courses often focus on electrical skills in maintenance, construction or industrial applications, and they’re typically available through diploma, certificate and associate’s degree programs. Read on for more info about common electrician courses:
Open to high school graduates, electrician courses can be found at the community, vocational and technical colleges.
Topping out at about 5-12 months, the shortest training options are a diploma or certificate, but there are associate’s degree programs that are 2 years long. Additionally, there are apprenticeships that may last 4 years. Some schools offer standalone electrician courses through their continuing education divisions.
Common topics covered in these courses are inclusive of:
Electrical safety Principles of DC/AC electricity National Electrical Code Cabling and wiring Electrical system design Trigonometry and algebra
SO MANY IMPLICATIONS – ESPECIALLY FINES:
Not only is trying to work without a license inconvenient for you, but it is also illegal in NSW. You can easily avoid hefty fines, by completing your license with us at the ELECTRICAL TRADES COLLEGE.
An electrical license is only attained through study, due to its many components which must be thoroughly learnt before being safely practised. Unlicensed workers, no matter how experienced, may have a gap in their understanding of electrical trades – for example in the specialisation of wiring.
Incorrect wiring may seem like a very small mistake, yet can have a catastrophic impact on people, businesses and of course, in long term your credibility. Just a few of the effects are inclusive of:
Electrical Fires Short-Circuiting Power Surges Dropouts, ( impacting electrical goods and appliances ) A risk to business and perhaps profitability Prone to higher energy consumptions Impact on productivity performance
This is, of course, a very magnified effect of not having an electrical license, in JUST ONE ASPECT OF ELECTRICAL WORK!! Multiplied by all the different intricacies of the work’s nature and you’ve got yourself – well, nothing short of a BIG problem.
Many other electricity-related jobs and components are prone to going wrong, dramatically increasing the chance of a hazardous situation. Not only do these hazards pose a risk to the worker, but they also put other people’s lives in danger while breaching all Work, Health and Safety laws. Furthermore, buildings are at risk of burning and machines/appliances are prone to damage. Insurance costs to cover current and non- current assets increase. Any staff injured by accidents will also need to be covered by insurance, while the company may end up facing a lawsuit.
All of these reasons, when combined, sum up to a worst-case scenario. To avoid this costly and disastrous situation, the NSW laws have been crafted so that all workers are authorised and licensed, whilst all work is done precisely and no problems relative to installation are faced either. The problem of installation is further mentioned in the article below, as it can cause sizeable issues.
MAN FINED 50K FOR UNLICENSED ELECTRICAL WORK:
A businessman who posed as a licensed electrician has been fined more than $50,000 for multiple incidences of carrying out unlicensed electrical work, Master Electricians Australia has reported. The former sole director of Newstyle Electrical went by several aliases: Cristian Roberto Martinez, Cristian Roberto Vallazon, Christian Alfonso Martinez and Christian Martinez.
Martinez was convicted of offences under the Home Building Act 1989 and ordered to pay $50,740 fines and costs. The court heard that Martinez had never held a licence or certificate qualifying him to undertake specialist electrical work.
In December 2010, Martinez entered into a subcontract agreement with a Sydney building company for the supply and installation of electrical wiring at a home in Rose Bay. Martinez supervised, coordinated and carried out electrical wiring under the contract, which was valued at $185,000.
The work was completed in September 2011; Martinez’s company was placed into liquidation the following month.
Martinez also falsely represented himself as the holder of a contractor licence in May 2012, providing a bogus contractor licence number to a company that had subcontracted him.
Five days after using the false licence number, Martinez was in Parramatta Local Court pleading guilty to earlier charges dating back as far as October 2009. On that occasion, he received a nine-month suspended sentence under the Crimes Act for using a false document. He was also ordered to pay $15,786 fines and costs for carrying out unlicensed electrical work at two homes in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
Martinez has not paid these fines.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said consumers had the right to be protected from unscrupulous tradespeople like Martinez.
“Under tougher new penalties for unlicensed traders, planned to come into effect through the Home Building Act next year, serial offenders like Mr Martinez may find themselves behind bars,” Stowe said.
“The residential building industry is regulated in the interests of consumer protection, and builders and tradespeople are expected to strictly adhere to all relevant laws regulating this industry.”
Credit to “ECD”: Check out the article over here:
LOOKING BACK AT THIS ARTICLE…
Mr.Martinez’ crafty work no matter how profitable, did backfire. Chances are, (by which we mean indefinitely), Martinez won’t be allowed to start any more construction companies, practices or electrical related work, unless with VERY heavy surveillance. THAT IS, if he does not end up behind bars. Due to his breach of the law, his credibility has been impacted massively.
So which laws exactly?
CRIMES ACT: SECT 5 FORGERY; Division 1 PRIMARY 253 FORGERY–MAKING FALSE DOCUMENT
A person who makes a false document with the intention that the person or another will use it:
(a) to induce some person to accept it as genuine, and (b) because of its being accepted as genuine:
(i) to obtain any property belonging to another, or (ii) to obtain any financial advantage or cause any financial disadvantage, or (iii) to influence the exercise of a public duty,
is guilty of the offence of forgery
.
MAXIMUM PENALTY: Imprisonment for 10 years.
HOME BUILDING ACT 1989:
SECT 4 UNLICENSED CONTRACTING; 4 UNLICENSED CONTRACTING
(1) A person must not contract to do:
(a) any residential building work, or (b) any specialist work, except as or on behalf of an individual, partnership or corporation that is the holder of a contractor licence authorising its holder to contract to do that work.
MAXIMUM PENALTY:
1,000 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 200 penalty units in any other case.
(2) The holder of a contractor licence who has contracted to do any residential building work must not contract with another person for the other person to do the work (or any part of the work) for the holder unless the other person is the holder of a contractor licence to do work of that kind.
MAXIMUM PENALTY:
1,000 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 200 penalty units in any other case.
(3) The holder of a contractor licence must not contract with another person for the other person to do any work (or part of any work) for the holder for which insurance is required under this Act unless the other person is the holder of a contractor licence to do work of that kind.
MAXIMUM PENALTY:
1,000 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 200 penalty units in any other case.
(4) A developer in relation to residential building work must not contract with another person for the other person to do that residential building work on behalf of the developer unless the other person is the holder of a contractor licence authorising the other person to do work of that kind.
MAXIMUM PENALTY:
1,000 penalty units in the case of a corporation and 200 penalty units in any other case.
(5) A person is not guilty of an offence against subsection (2), (3) or (4) if the person establishes that the person did all that could reasonably be required to prevent the contravention of the subsection.
(6) An individual who is convicted of a second or subsequent offence under a provision of this section is liable to a penalty not exceeding 500 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.
CONCLUSION:
A licensed electrician has great value in the market, due to their expertise pertaining to the trade. As enforced by Fair Trading NSW, it is essential for anyone aspiring to work in the electrical field to obtain a license, in order to practice correct and safe procedure.