sparks
ELECTRICAL NEWS
june 2014
4
contractors’ corner
Play the ball, not the man
Mark Palmer, Gauteng Electrical Inspection Authority
IT was with great sadness that I learned of the
passing of my industry colleague, Peter Smuts – a
man whom I knew for a long time and greatly
respected. When I was faced with situations
within the industry that seemed to be somewhat
hopeless, Peter was there to give me direction
and encouragement.
I will definitely miss his insights, especially
with regards tomy constant endeavours to shed
some light on the application of SANS 10142-1
and with regards to the issuing of Certificates of
Compliance and the policing thereof.
Recently, I was reminded of a phrase he often
used when offering advice:“Never forget to play
the ball and not the man!”
I had the opportunity to revisit this wise adage
when I was challenged by the daunting prospect
of having to give evidence in a case that involved
an alleged fraudulently issued Certificate of
Compliance.
Over many years and in numerous columns,
I have repeatedly stressed the importance of
correctly completing documentation and cor-
rectly applying the appropriate standards as the
supporting elements to ensure compliance with
legislation.
As I could clearly see this case was heading
down the road where the Registered Person
would be identified as the‘man’who hadmade
many flawed decisions regarding Certificates of
Compliance, I wondered what had happened to
the‘ball’.
I believe that the‘ball’is an industry that has, to
a great extent, left many Registered Persons in the
lurch. The absence of any centralised informa-
tion and the lack of any effective enforcement
measures have, to a large extent, left a gaping
void in this somewhat complex environment. I
also believe that many problems relating to the
‘interpretation’of standards can be solved by
simply applying a degree of‘common sense’. It
is also an observable fact that many electricians,
in their capacities as Registered Persons, have
being applying certain standards incorrectly
for so long now that their‘application’of those
standards appears to them to be correct.
Unfortunately, in the absence of any meaning-
ful industry guidance, these problems perpetu-
ate and, ultimately, the‘man’has to take the
consequences of his unlawful actions.
What especially concerns me is the loss of
common sense, which leads some electri-
cians to regard the roof spaces of premises
– inmany cases containingmost of the
electrical infrastructure – as‘enclosures’.
As a result, these people believe that they
have been given licence to ignore this part
of the electrical installation. This is further
exacerbated by applying only one context
of the standard to this environment –
“Access to live parts”.
SANS 10142-1 Fundamental Clause 5.1.1
states:
“It shall not be possible to touch any live
part within arm’s reachwith the standard test
finger (see SANS 60529/IEC 60529 (SABS IEC
60529))
a) during normal operation, or
b) when a cover is removed, unless the cover
is removedwith the use of a tool or a key.”
The concern I wish to raise lies with sub
clause (b). As a result of many roof spaces
only being accessible by the opening of a
trapdoor – and therefore, the use of a ladder,
the skewed viewpoint is that because the
ladder could be regarded as a‘tool’, any
accessible live part in this environment is of
no concern.
The‘common sense’I refer to should lead a
Registered Person to understand that these
roof spaces are not only accessed by electri-
cians who understand the inherent risks
contained therein, but by many other trades
who use these spaces for their equipment.
There are, however, many other clauses
which also need to be considered.
The provisions of the Occupational Health
and Safety Act 85 of 1992 and the applica-
tion of the‘reasonable man’s test’should
clearly direct many electrical contractors
(as self-employed persons) to steer clear of
this perception and to treat these areas not
as enclosures, but rather as the part of an
electrical installation that requires special
attention.
As long as the contracting industry in par-
ticular does not recognise that it is the‘ball’
and does little to educate Registered Per-
sons, the sad fact is that the lawwill‘target’
the man and not the ball. This is certainly not
what my esteemed colleague advocated.
I have faith that with continuous educa-
tion, common sense will ultimately prevail.
POWERTECHTransformers, a subsidiary of Powertech
and the JSE listed Altron Group has received the
majority share of theminiature substation contract
fromEskom to the value of aboutR350million. The
contract, which covers a two year period fromAugust
2013 to July 2015, comprises miniature substations
that will be supplied to Eskomnationally.
Theminiature substations are intended for various
housing developments throughout South Africa
where Eskom supplies power. These substations will
bemanufactured locally in PowertechTransformers’
CapeTown factory and transported from there to
locations as required in terms of the Eskom contract.
Commenting on the contract, BernardMeyer, CEO
of PowertechTransformers says,“Obtaining repeat
business in a highly competitive domestic market
froma key customer such as Eskom, confirms their
confidence in us as a strategic local partner.”
Enquiries: (012) 318-9725
Mini substation
contract awarded
