Electricians who fail to properly supervise apprentices will lose their licence under changes designed to protect young workers and make sure electrical work meets quality standards.
Electrical-related workplace fatalities remain the second leading cause of fatalities in the NSW construction industry.
SafeWork NSW was notified of 1708 incidents in construction industry workplaces from January 2020 to the end of April this year, with eight electrical-related workplace fatalities recorded between July 2022 and June 2024.
New practice guidelines will require sparkies to consider the competency, knowledge, and skills of their apprentices before giving them any work task and any new type of task. They also spell out specific obligations that supervisors must meet every day, particularly around the work health and safety of their apprentices.
The guidelines also detail suitable levels and ratios of supervision for apprentices tackling different tasks.
The safe and reliable supply of electricity is a critical component of building construction. In a recent incident in southern Sydney, a young trade assistant carrying out electrical wiring work without a qualified supervisor present received an electric shock.
While the worker wasn’t seriously injured, the supervisor and director of Siasax Pty Ltd, Bram Earl Penberthy, was found guilty of improper conduct, fined $1500 and ordered to complete a Construct NSW course in Supervisor Responsibilities.
Building Commission NSW will enforce the new, higher standards governing the way electricians supervise apprentices from 1 September.
The standard was released in December 2023 following extensive consultation and will now be mandated as a condition of licence for electricians.
The supervision practice standard sets out obligations licensed electricians must meet when supervising apprentices, as required in building and work, health and safety legislation.
Businesses that fail to comply with the new practice standard may face on-the-spot fines and disciplinary action, such as a licence suspension or cancellation.
For further information, please see: https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/trades-and-businesses/construction-and-trade-essentials/electricians/supervision-practice-standard-for-licensed-electricians-supervising-apprentices
Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong said:
“Building quality and worksite safety go hand in hand. Sites with poor supervision don’t just leave workers at risk, they’re often responsible for defective building work.
“Experienced electricians are on notice -they must properly supervise their apprentices or face the risk of fines, license suspension or cancelation.”
Minister for Work, Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
“We continue to see multiple and dangerous examples of poor supervision.
“New or inexperienced apprentices need to be properly supervised and guided on how to complete work they can be proud of in a safe and compliant manner and the new standard aims to help all parties do this.”
“Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:
“The NSW Government is committed to upskilling the industry and best supporting young workers entering the industry.
“All electricians and electrical apprentices should be safe at work.”
Acting Building Commissioner Matt Press said:
“Building Commission NSW has zero tolerance for any employer who places apprentices at risk or does not ensure they have the best on-the-job training possible. Inexperienced apprentices need to be out of harm’s way and properly supervised.
“By enforcing this new standard, we aim to improve the quality of electrical work and help ensure that all electrical workers are operating safely.”