Electrical Safe - write to your MP

[Octopus]

For all you Elecsa, NICEIC and Napit members.

Its time we all contacted our MP's to try and generate momentum in Parliament for tighter regulation of our industry, to protect our jobs and our "trade" suppliers.

I've drafted a letter (attached) please feel free to amend etc.

Here is a way to identify your MP:

Contacting your MP - UK Parliament

Another way:

Lists of MPs - UK Parliament

Whether you cut and paste onto an email or print out on your headed paper lets all do this - its in our interest.

Please post when you've sent your letter.

ThanksView attachment 5450

 

[RWJ]

Use the Newbury Racecourse incident as an example

%*^%&$%$% I've just sent the flippin email!!!!!

DOH I should have included that.... so obvious and it would have got his attention... DOH

I'll get one of the other local lads to send a revised "nag" version!

Thanks
Blu

 

[mogga]

I have emailed ALL prospective candidates in my area both on this point and on why are government funded progects being used to "Create local jobs" whan the concrete for M74 comes from southeren ireland Labour at prison M74 Sufferin general is mainly agency paying below the rate and no statutory benefits like Holiday pay ect ect ect Only had 1 reply from 12 sent she asked for my home address so she could respond Im still waiting a responce from her 5 years ago about the CSA so Personaly I dont hold much hope

 

[Sparky Ninja]

I have come across some of the governments own reports concluding that the Part P scheme has not worked.
I am in the middle of discussions with others as recently as last night and will be composing a letter and a report which will challenge the existing industry in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

"if a DIYer wants to attempt electrical work in his own home thats his look out"

that's a surprising comment from an arms member.

so if some have a go hero takes a chance with his electrics and kills somebody else in the process, like his child or a guest or a new owner, then are you saying that's acceptable?

I've thought about this long and hard,as this debate has been around for years. And the conclusion I have come to is that electrical work in homes should not be restricted....here are my reasons.

People do all kinds of DIY,there is a long tradition of having a go in the UK...it is up to the individual to decide if they are competent to carry out that DIY,if they cause harm to themselves or others in that process then they should be held accountable. There are many perfectly capable DIYers who can carry out electrical work safely,they should not all be tarnished with the same brush. I go back to my point about cars....all you people shouting for electrics to be more regulated,how many of you have done the brakes on your vehicles to save a few quid?I'll wager a pretty high percentage........almost certainly perfectly safely...you make sure because you and your family are the ones at risk,would you accept the motor trade saying you weren't competent,and only they should be permitted to work on cars?.....I'd feel a hypocrite voting for this when I have carried out many equally hazardous DIY jobs outside of electrics which are served by other trades.
The same applies to DIY everything else....if the individual makes a balls of it and causes harm,then come down on that individual.....but dont let the nanny state wrap everything in cotton wool,where will it end?

OK,as I appear to be in a minority of one on this I thought I'd better explain myself....That said I do respect the views expressed on this by all and know it is well intended,I just dont agree.

 

[Electricalserv]

Although I want it to be governed, I do feel as though another obstacle like 'electrical safe' could just be another money makeing racket in the end. Its not going to stop people doing their own work. How can it when nobody would know otherwise.

It will be another sum of outgoings along with the schemes membership.

 

[madmac]

It's all about policing of industry standards and competence, and I also think this would potentially create another money making scheme. that said i do think that we as electricians have a duty to ourselves and our colleagues to at least try and make our industry better.
Certainly regulatory bodies like NICEIC and the like, should be doing just that! but they all have a vested interest in making money first and foremost!!!
One regulatory body answerable to govt./unions/electricians might be one route but everyone needs to be in agreement and that is always the stumbling block unfortunately in our industry.

 

[Octopus]

Hum some interesting views and we are entitled to views.

For those who are against any moves to tighten up the system, are you members of schemes, and if so why? Just yesterday I looked at a job were the previous sparky had added an outside socket to a BS3036 board - makes you wonder why we follow the rules we have!


Just emailed my letter and this was included in the auto response:

"If you have not had a response within 14 days, please email again with a reminder."

The clock is ticking

 

[mpspark]

I've thought about this long and hard,as this debate has been around for years. And the conclusion I have come to is that electrical work in homes should not be restricted....here are my reasons.

People do all kinds of DIY,there is a long tradition of having a go in the UK...it is up to the individual to decide if they are competent to carry out that DIY,if they cause harm to themselves or others in that process then they should be held accountable. There are many perfectly capable DIYers who can carry out electrical work safely,they should not all be tarnished with the same brush. I go back to my point about cars....all you people shouting for electrics to be more regulated,how many of you have done the brakes on your vehicles to save a few quid?I'll wager a pretty high percentage........almost certainly perfectly safely...you make sure because you and your family are the ones at risk,would you accept the motor trade saying you weren't competent,and only they should be permitted to work on cars?.....I'd feel a hypocrite voting for this when I have carried out many equally hazardous DIY jobs outside of electrics which are served by other trades.
The same applies to DIY everything else....if the individual makes a balls of it and causes harm,then come down on that individual.....but dont let the nanny state wrap everything in cotton wool,where will it end?

OK,as I appear to be in a minority of one on this I thought I'd better explain myself....That said I do respect the views expressed on this by all and know it is well intended,I just dont agree.

I have to say I agree with you to a degree. I am all for people being accountable for what they do, however I have no confidence in this ,or any other government to actually do this.
They don't seem to want to hold offenders to account anymore. They seem to prefer to stop everybody from doing things rather than coming down on the actual offenders that abuse the system.
I hear that some local authorities are now trying to make drinking in public illegal, just because some ****heads cause trouble in town centres at chucking out time. I guess it is easier to punish everyone rather than have to deal with the few...
What about publicly prosecuting the ones that refuse to abide by 'the system' and allow all other 'competent / non abusers' to get on with their job, regardless of whether they are a qualified tradesman or an experienced / competent diyer?

 

[BluSparx]

Just had a reply from my MP wanting photos as evidence for House of Commons and Minister

 

[Electricalserv]

Just had a reply from my MP wanting photos as evidence for House of Commons and Minister

Its all well and good showing photos of bad installs but unless they are from after the introduction of Part P they are useless.

 

[RWJ]

Well 4 Days have passed....
All I got was an automated response that stated he hasn't got time to answer emails if it's urgent then visit one of his "surgeries",
went on his webiste list of surgeries in Feb and March nothing else listed!!!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I came across an installation some years ago in a Council house.
The tennant had installed extra sockets in the kitchen and one of the bed rooms, he had also installed an RCD socket-outlet in an outside cupboard and some external lights around the house.
The Council susequently conducted a 're-wire' to the property along with a number of other properties in the area.
A PIR was conducted and the faults found with the Council's work were: lack of Bus Bar shroud in CU, lack of identification to switch wires and lack of protection to cable entries on CU. Apparently the CUs came without shrouds, and they had to be purchased separately, which the contractors were unaware of.
The single fault with the tennant's work, was that he had used T&E clipped to the outside of the house to supply one of the exterior lights.
The contractors installed the shroud, identified the switch wires at the switches, not at the fittings, and managed to swop over the up and downstairs rings when installing grommets to the cable entries on the CU.
The tennant re-routed the T&E so as that none was external.
No paperwork other than the PIR was issued.
Given a choice, I would employ the DIyer tennant, rather than the 'qualified' contractors who conducted the 're-wire'.

 

[IQ Electrical]

I'd like to think that was the 'exception to the rule'.

 

[Geoffsd]

I have just received a reply from my M.P.

He agrees that this is an issue that should be taken seriously.

He goes on to say that private individuals are permitted to buy such components.

However, he is assured by Bournemouth Borough Council that - quote - "There are laws and guidelines in place that prevent unqualified individuals from installing these devices. Thus, an untrained member of the public would be required by law to employ a registered electrician in order to install such a component, or else they would be in violation of the law"- unquote.

So I suppose it's just that the law isn't being enforced, as with so many that are difficult or even impossible to enforce..

 

[RWJ]

Sent an email and Letter....... No reply.... Not that I'm expecting one!