Editor's Notes

Feature Article 1 - Electrical Safety at Construction and Renovation Sites

You may clearly remember that there were a number of fatal electrical accidents causing deaths and injuries to workers at the construction and renovation sites in Hong Kong in 2012. With the concerted efforts of the relevant trade members, including you, there was no fatal electrical accident related to construction and renovation sites in 2013. However, a fatal accident, which was believed to have occurred during the conduction of electrical work, in May this year has set the alarm bells ringing again on the electrical safety in Hong Kong.

In order to realise the vision of zero accident for electrical work, you should stay alert at all times and pay attention to work safety. You should also ensure that appropriate safety precautions are taken to prevent danger from the electrical work being carried out by you or under your supervision.

The following are some common irregularities that pose electrical safety hazards at construction and renovation sites:

Commom Irregularity 1 - Electrical installations not provided with appropriate mechanical protection

Distribution board without guard

Distribution board without guard Distribution board without enclosure

Electrical installation should be mechanically protected to prevent any person from getting shocked by inadvertently coming into contact with the live parts. Mechanical protection includes the provision of barriers, enclosures, protective covers, guards and means of identification, the display of warning notices and the placing of equipment out of reach. Furthermore, where it is necessary to remove barriers or open enclosures, protective covers, guards, this should be possible only by use of a key or tool.

Common Irregularity 2 - Incomplete circuit connected to supply

Distribution board without guard Distribution board without enclosure

Circuits which have not been completed and properly terminated are connected to supply

Temporary or permanent supply should not be connected to a circuit unless: (a) the circuit and its final circuits are completed and properly terminated, or (b) the part(s) of the circuit or its final circuits which have not been completed, are disconnected or isolated with its associated isolating devices locked off.

Common Irregularity 3 – Legs of metal ladders not fitted with proper insulated footing

The legs of the metal ladder are not fitted with proper insulated footing

A ladder made of wood or other non-conductive material should preferably be used on electrical work. If the use of a metal ladder cannot be avoided, the legs of the ladders should be fitted with proper insulated footing.

Common Irregularity 4 – Power supply not properly isolated

Open the cabinet covers and guards to carry out electrical work without completely isolating the switch cabinet from the power supply

To ensure the electrical work is carried out in a safe environment, registered electrical workers (REWs) must isolate the upstream switch or circuit breaker before the electrical work is carried out. The associated isolating devices should also be locked off and an appropriate warning notice displayed. If the upstream electrical equipment is an installation owned by a power company, they should liaise with the power company to arrange for power suspension. After completion of isolation, they should make sure that the installation has already been de-energised by using a recognised voltage indicator, and check to confirm that there is no energised installation in the working area before carrying out the electrical work.

If power suspension before work is not possible in practice, risk assessment should be conducted before performing live work even if the conditions for live work set out in the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations have been met. REWs should also take appropriate safety precautions, including the use of suitable personal protective equipment (such as insulating gloves, safety shoes and insulating mat), the provision of screen or other means to avoid inadvertent contact with energised conductors, and the fixing of warning notice for repair screens, before carrying out live work on the electrical installation.

No matter under what circumstances, REWs should take the above as well as other appropriate safety precautions in the light of the actual situation when carrying out or supervising electrical work, so as to realise the safe work culture of "switch off electricity supply and re-confirm before electrical work". On the other hand, as the employers of REWs, registered electrical contractors should provide their staff with adequate resources, appropriate training, clear work instructions, and exercise effective and adequate supervision over the works and safety, so that the REWs can carry out work in a safe environment, thus reducing the occurrence of electrical accidents.

Feature Article 2 - Cases of Using False Instruments

Category 1: Issuing and using false Work Completion Certificates (WR1)

According to the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations, a fixed electrical installation shall, after completion (including any work completed after repair, alteration or addition) and before it is energised for use, be inspected, tested and certified by a registered electrical worker to confirm that statutory requirements have been met. The Electricity Ordinance also stipulates that a registered electrical contractor shall endorse the certificate.

The EMSD has identified 5 suspected cases of issuing and using false Work Completion Certificates in the recent past. Our investigation of these cases found that the parties involved had issued the Work Completion Certificates in the name of other registered electrical contractors, electrical contractors that had ceased operation for many years or other registered electrical workers. After confirmation, the EMSD has referred these cases to the police for follow-up and investigation. At last, a person involved in one of the cases was charged with the offence of using a false instrument and was sentenced to imprisonment for 2 months. The police are still investigating the other 4 cases.

Category 2: Using false documentary proof of work experience when applying for registration as an electrical worker

According to the Electricity (Registration) Regulations, anyone who applies for registration as an electrical worker shall submit to the EMSD documents which substantiate his electrical engineering qualifications and experience in electrical work.

In the recent past, the EMSD has identified two cases where applicants used false documents to substantiate their electrical work experience in applying for registration. Our investigation found that both of the applicants involved in the two cases had requested the responsible person of a certain registered electrical contractor to make a false declaration to prove that they had previously worked there, even though they were not employed by that contractor. After confirmation, the EMSD has referred the cases to the police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption for follow-up and investigation. At last, the two persons who applied for registration as electrical workers were charged with the offence of using a false instrument. They were fined and sentenced to community service respectively.

We would like to remind registered electrical contractors and registered electrical workers that they should conduct themselves with probity and integrity and should abide by the law. Any person who uses a false instrument commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for 14 years.

Feature Article 3 - Recognised Certification Body

According to the Electrical Products (Safety) Regulation, certificates of safety compliance for "prescribed products" (including plugs, adaptors, lampholders, flexible cords, extension units and unvented thermal storage type electric water heaters) shall be a CB Test Certificate issued by a "recognised certification body," a certificate or test report endorsed by it, or a declaration of conformity issued by a "recognised manufacturer". A "recognised certification body" means a certification body recognised by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services as qualified to issue certificates of safety compliance in respect of specified classes of electrical products.

To date, a total of 103 certification organisations from 27 countries and regions have been recognised by the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services as "recognised certification bodies". An organisation applying for registration as a "recognised certification body" or an existing "recognised certification body" applying for extension of the scope of its certification services should satisfy one of the following criteria:

A The organisation has been accepted as one of the National Certification Bodies (NCBs) under the CB Scheme of the IEC System for Conformity Testing to Standards for Safety of Electrical Equipment (IECEE); B The organisation has been accredited by the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) or by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) under the test category of electrical and electronic products; or C The organisation has been accredited by an overseas accreditation scheme which has a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with HOKLAS or HKAS under the test category of electrical and electronic products.

News-in-brief 1 - Switchroom Management

We have recently received some enquiries regarding switchroom, and would like to take this opportunity to brief trade members on the relevant electrical safety requirements.

Q&A1

Q: Is it true that only registered electrical workers (REWs) are allowed to enter the switchroom?

A: According to the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations, the owner and person in control of a substation or switchroom should ensure that unauthorised entry into his substation or switchroom is prevented. Ordinary people are allowed to enter the switchroom upon obtaining the permission from the person in control of it. Nevertheless, only REWs or persons under the supervision of REWs are allowed to carry out electrical work.

Q&A2

Q: Is a person allowed to enter the switchroom to carry out "switching operation" if he is not an REW?

A: As "switching operation" is not an electrical work, it does not have to be carried out by REWs. Nevertheless, the owner of the electrical installation should arrange for a registered electrical contractor and an REW to check and properly repair the installation if it has broken down.

Q&A3

Q: Can articles that are not related to the operation and maintenance of electrical installations be placed inside the switchroom?

A: According to 4F(4) of the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations, switchroom/substation, other than the tools used for the operation and maintenance of the switchgear inside it, must not be used for storage purposes.

News-in-brief 2 - Registered Electrical Workers and Contractors - Don't Miss the Deadline for Registration Renewal

The Electricity (Registration) Regulations stipulates that registered electrical workers (REWs) and contractors (RECs) should submit to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department applications for registration renewal at least 1 month in advance, but no more than 4 months before the expiry date of the current registration. Renewal applications submitted before or after the above-mentioned period will not be considered. REWs and RECs are reminded again to apply for renewal of registration within the above-mentioned period. Applications submitted after the expiry date of the current registration will be treated as new registration applications, and will be assessed in accordance with the statutory requirements of the day. These include requiring REWs applying for registration to possess recognised academic qualifications in electrical engineering and electrical work experience. If the applicant does not possess the required academic qualifications and is thus considered to be unable to fulfil the relevant registration requirements, the application will be rejected regardless of the previous registration history of the applicant.

In applying for registration renewal, the applicant is required to submit the duly completed Form 8 together with a copy of HKID card and a colour passport photograph in plain white background, and pay the application fee.

News-in-brief 3 - Installation of Earth Electrode Involving Excavation or Vertical Penetration Work

Registered electrical workers and registered electrical contractors are reminded to take note of the requirement on installation of earth electrode as specified in 12C(5) of the Code of Practice for the Electricity (Wiring) Regulations, i.e., installation of earth electrode should comply with the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation as appropriate.

Under general circumstances, if the installation of earth electrode involves excavation or vertical penetration work, the working party should adhere to the requirements of the Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines and take all reasonable steps including the appointment of a competent person approved by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to ascertain the alignment and depth of underground cables prior to the commencement of works, and should also take all reasonable measures such as a 500 mm minimum safe working distance should be maintained between the point of vertical penetration and the ascertained alignment of any underground cable in the course of works so as to comply with the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation.

For details, please refer to the Code of Practice on Working near Electricity Supply Lines available at the EMSD web page or the publicity leaflet "Protect Electricity Supply Lines - Take All Reasonable Steps and Measures".

News-in-brief 4 - Continuing Professional Development Scheme for Registered Electrical Workers - Online Training Enquiry System

The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department has implemented the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Scheme for Registered Electrical Workers (REWs) since 1 January 2012. To facilitate REWs to check their training record, an Online Training Enquiry System has been launched. REWs can view their CPD training record by simply visiting the relevant web page and entering their registration number of certificate of registration and date of birth.

Figure 1: The home page of the Training Enquiry System

Figure 2: Enter the registration number of certificate of registration and the date of birth

Figure 3: The system displays the CPD training record

News-in-brief 5 - Electrical Safety Quiz

Feedback

We look forward to receiving your valuable feedback about this newsletter for continuous improvement. Please complete the feedback form below and return it to our Electricity Legislation Division by post, fax or e-mail on or before 31 Aug 2014 (please refer to the contact information at the bottom of this page).

The Registration and Permit Office opens from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5:15 pm. It does not open on Saturday and Sunday and public holidays.

Contact Information

Electricity Legislation Division, EMSD, 3 Kai Shing Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong

1823

2896 4929

info@emsd.gov.hk