10.12.2008
Voltimum was out and about yesterday at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin for the annual ETCI workshop. This year the event was used to launch the fourth edition of the ET101 wiring regulations.
Michael Hanly opened proceedings and introduced the first speaker of the day. Eamon O'Flynn the chairman of TC5 Safety Committee. Eamon spoke about TC5 activities during 2008, which included the revision of ET206 Management of electrical safety at work and the new publication ET215, which relates to maintenance and testing of portable equipment in the workplace. This publication is available for download here http://www.etci.ie/publications/index.html
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He also spoke about the new initiative to promote the testing of RCDs and smoke detectors. It is good safety practice to check these products in your home at least twice a year, so they have produced a wallet sized card that reminds you to check these items when the clock changes in March and October.
He spoke about TC5 three year plan and discussed fatalities due to electrical accidents in 2008 and referred to some new publications produced to help avoid further accidents.
Tony O'Doherty, the secretary of TC2, gave a great insight into the establishing of the wiring regulations back in 1971 and how things have progressed since then, with the harmonisation of rules with the rest of Europe. He spoke about the long involvement and commitment of Keane Harley, the chairman of TC2, for many years who recently passed away.
The new regulations extends to cover marines, exhibitions, fairs etc.
Next up was Karen Trent, the manager of safety regulation for the CER. The aims of the CER is to regulate the activities of electrical contractors with regard to safety.
She spoke about the criteria documents that culminated in the appointment of RECI and ECSSA as electrical safety supervisory bodies.
This regulatory new system will be operational from 5th January 2009 and through these bodies, a number of processes and procedures will be rolled out through 2009.
Ger Buckley The chairman of the ETCI then spoke briefly about their strategic review.
Last up was special guest Dr Jeremy Hodge, BASEC's Chief Executive, who discussed the problem of faulty cables in the marketplace.
The skimming of copper, poor markings, thin insulation, poor cured polymer, aluminium conductors and unsuitable armour are some of the problems that lead to inferior cables getting into the marketplace.
He spoke about the causes of the problem, such as high cost of copper and the willingness to cut corners to keep the price down.
After a delightful dinner, Ger Buckley stood up to announce the Apprentice Awards and also the Keane Harley Memorial Award. These awards went to Thomas Sheridan in the Commercial Installation Category and Martin Smith in the Industrial Installation Category.
Last but not least, the Minister for Labour at the Dept of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Billy Kelliher TD, officially launched the fourth edition of ET101:2008. This is now available to be purchased online through the ETCI's webstore at
http://www.etci.ie/publications/onlinestore.html
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Source: Voltimum - Colin Sherlock |
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