31 July 2013

EWRB brings successful prosecutions against unlicensed workers

Four unregistered people have been prosecuted within the past month, following separate investigations by the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).

EWRB Registrar John Sickels says between May and November last year, four complaints were received in relation to electrical work undertaken by people who were not registered or licensed, meaning they were not authorised to perform the work.

The EWRB was established in 1992 and is responsible for the ongoing competency of over 30,000 registered electrical and electronic workers in New Zealand. Part of the functions of the Board is to exercise disciplinary powers and bring prosecutions where necessary under the Electricity Act 1992.

Mr Sickels says on 1 July in the Thames District Court, a man pleaded guilty to installing a dairy chiller on a farm at Hikutaia. He was not registered or licensed as an electrical worker and was fined $1,500, plus court and solicitor’s costs.

On the 15th of July in the Whangarei District Court, a man pleaded guilty to two charges for wiring a house bus to convert it to a motorhome. He was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay more than $800 in reparation to the complainant plus solicitor’s costs.

In the Wellington District Court the following day (16 July) an appliance delivery driver pleaded guilty to a charge relating to the wiring of an oven. He was fined $3,000 plus solicitor’s costs.

And last week in the Porirua District Court (23 July) a man who held himself out to be a registered electrician and did electrical work on a commercial basis pleaded guilty to four charges and was fined $6,500, plus solicitors and court costs.

“All consumers should be aware that registered and licensed electricians must do prescribed electrical work. The role of the EWRB is to help keep New Zealand consumers safe and make sure we have high quality electrical work being carried out in all parts of the country,” Mr SIckels said.

“The EWRB will continue to be vigilant in relation to unregistered and unlicensed workers and prosecute wherever necessary, in order to keep New Zealanders safe.”

[ends]

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