South African Registration Criteria for Electrical Contractors
SAPAC ReporterSouth African Registration Criteria for Electrical Contractors ⚡
Prepared by : SAPAC Reporter
Article Classification: "Opinion"
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South African News
Legal Criteria for the South African Electrical Industry ⚡
The big debate:
The Law is the law and the application and justifiable means towards the legal compliance has been written with blood. This can be noted from within the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the
Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996.
DO DOWNLOAD THE ABOVE ACTS COLOURED IN RED
This information is then to highlight the criteria, and make the reader understand the difference with regards to the different competency criteria among the electrical discipline. [OHM]
The information portrayed herein is to highlight the relevant information for the public to understand and to provide an informing view point for new electrical artisans that is entering the market.
Included is informative information and assistance to downloadable information for the public, new artisans, current artisans.
Including the SAPAC stance and its alignment with regards to the current electrical discipline within South Africa. These alignments ensures conformity with regards to other electrical stakeholders.
South African Electrician Requirements ⚡
So let us explore what the Department of Labour requirements are. Note we need to understand why these requirements exist. In order to explain it excerpts from the Requirements will placed here and discussed.
As we can see the document starts with:
This document outlines the registration criteria that a person must comply with in order to be registered by the Chief Inspector as an Electrical Tester for:
Single Phase,
Installation Electrician, and
Master Installation Electrician
as defined in the Electrical Installation Regulation, 2009 promulgated by Government Notice R.242 of 6 March 2009.
Download the DOL EIR Regulations
There are three different criteria for "Electricians" meaning there is a hierarchy within the electrical discipline. Therefore "there must" be a specific reason for this. What could and would this reason be? Lets explore this:
South African Single Phase Electrician
1. ELECTRICAL TESTER FOR SINGLE PHASE
OPTION 1
1.1 A candidate must:
1.1.1 Minimum Integrated Practical and Theoretical Qualification
(a) Achieved a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering: NQF level 3 issued by the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA).
(b) Submit documentary proof of successful completed unit standards on inspection, testing and certification of single-phase domestic installations as prescribed by the EWSETA.
(c) Submit proof of one year practical experience or training ( certificate of service from employer or a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering: NQF level 4) in
electrical installation work after achieving the National Certificate in Electrical Engineering: NQF level 3.
1.1.2 Knowledge of Statutory Requirements
Submit proof of working knowledge of the legislation and relevant health and safety standards applicable to single phase electrical installations, assessed by an EWSETA registered assessor.
How does one become an Artisan in the Electrical discipline of South Africa?
So to answer this question, we need to understand what and who is EWSETA and what it stands for. The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) is the authority that deals with Energy and Water sector in South Africa and is a prominent authority with regards to training and guidelines for persons that provides training. The EWSETA is established in terms of the Section 9 of the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998.
Download the Skills Development Act
In line with this it is recognized that before one can become an artisan one first has to first apply with a firm and showcase evidence to obtain an apprenticeship or Learnership to learn the trade.
EWSETA Classify and Apprenticeship as the following:
"An apprenticeship is a technical training system that includes theoretical and practical training and workplace experience and is offered in most trades such as a millwright/fitter. It requires successful completion of a Trade Test after which the learner is then recognized as an Artisan. An Apprenticeship is job-orientated in that they relate to a specific trade. This means that you will learn a trade to fill a specific job post. An Apprenticeship is open to persons 16 years and older and requires good math's and science skills. - EWSETA"
EWSETA Classify a Learnership as:
"A Learnership provides practical, as well as theoretical experience for successful candidates. These programmes are based on scarce skills in South Africa. When completing a Learnership, some candidates may be offered a permanent position, where others will be skilled enough to enter the workforce in other sectors of the country or to start their own businesses. - EWSETA"
Through an employer advertisement, you can apply and become an employee (provided you meet the minimum criteria of having a Grade 9 with Math's and Science). Through a contract entered into with the EWSETA, the employer can enroll you on an apprenticeship programme, combining on the job training and modular based training at a TVET institution which will culminate in a trade test.
Then therefore we need to understand what Electricians do and we need to understand the following what EWSETA also states:
Electrician are involved in the generation, transmission, distribution and usage of electricity. They install, repair and maintain electrical equipment and detect electrical faults."You may supervise the erection of pylons, the connection of high tension cabling on pylons, install transformers and switchboards at substation. Electricians at power stations install and maintain power generators and/or perform inspections on motors, switchgear and transformers - EWSETA
Download the Electrical Machinery Regulations
How to become a South African Single Phase Electrician
So in order to become a South African single phase tester in the Electrical discipline the Apprentice or Learner must in effect then prove the following:
Must have passed minimum integrated practical and theoretical qualification
- National Certificate in Electrical Engineering Do note the NQF Level is 3 that has been issued by the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA).
- Submit proof of successful completed unit standards on the following
- Submit proof of successful completed SANS 10142-1 unit standards on the following:
- Inspection
- Testing
- Certification
of SINGLE PHASE DOMESTIC INSTALLATIONS as prescribed by the EWSETA
Description: What is single phase domestic installations
Single-phase domestic installations are the most common type of domestic installation and use alternating current (AC) electric power. The voltage starts at 230 volts and has a frequency of about 50 Hertz, with the voltage and current flow switching direction and magnitude in cycles, usually at a rate of around 50–60 times per second.
As a single phase tester then also have to showcase proof that they have knowledge of the relevant legislation. This includes the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, The Electrical Installation Regulations within the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. That they are conversant with the Electrical Machinery Regulations. That they are conversant with the applicable SANS standards that pertain to Single Phase Electricity.
OR
Single Phase Electrical Practical Qualification
They should submit proof of having passed the prescribed trade test in terms of the Manpower Training Act of 1981 or Skills Development Act of 1998 in one of the following trade disciplines:
OR, Submit proof of having passed:
As a Minimum a Theoretical Qualification
Achieved a National N2 Certificate with the following compulsory subjects:
OR, Achieved a (Standard 9) Grade 11 certificate:
3. Knowledge of Statutory Requirements
As a single phase tester (not yet registered electrical contractor. They must showcase they have knowledge of the relevant legislation. This includes the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 including the relevant regulations and SANS standards that pertain to single phase electricity.
OR
Single Phase Electrical Practical Qualification
| MASTER INSTALLATION ELECTRICIAN |
|
May Perform the following and is allowed to perform the following, Depicted below. Work on any electrical installation |
| SINGLE PHASE TESTER | INSTALLATION ELECTRICIAN |
| -Any electrical installation up to 230 V | -Any electrical installation |
| Single Phase ALLOWED | IE ALLOWED |
| House that use 230 V |
Work on any electrical installation except specialized installations. May issue compliance certificate Issuing Compliance Certificate for |
|
ESTP NOT ALLOWED |
I.E. NOT ALLOWED |
|
< 230V |
Specialized Electrical Installations (Hazardous Zoning requirements apply) |
| MASTER INSTALLATION ELECTRICIAN |
|
May Perform the following and is allowed to perform the following. Depicted above. Work on any electrical installation |
Opinion:
Based on the top criteria such reports should then therefore be published for review, scrutinized and thus to ensure accountable, traceability be fully documented and approved. By a competent, capable and unbiased dependable seat.
The decision makers within these chambers, should fully understand the gravity and seriousness of "discussions", and "decisions", "enacting change" and or signing the "ordering of change".
Within an industry that is already currently suffocating due to "irregular" activities by unregistered / unregulated self named contractors, that is effectively placing the South African citizen in harms way.
"Duty of Care" that applies to all South African Registered Electrical Contractors. (All Employers)
So lets talk about the duty of care that applies to all. We first need to refer to Section 10 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. However let us take this a step further. Lets look at TCF - Treating customers fairly.
Well, if your in the Electrical discipline this might be something new to you. So what is TCF.
Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) is a regulatory framework that ensures financial services providers (FSPs) treat their clients fairly throughout the product life cycle and advice process. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa established TCF to ensure that fair treatment is embedded in the culture of FSPs. TCF is an outcomes-based approach that aims to deliver specific fairness outcomes for consumers.
The goal of TCF is to increase consumer confidence in financial companies and markets, and to ensure that consumers receive fair, clear, and relevant products and services. TCF is relevant to "all firms" involved in the retail supply chain, whether they directly interact with customers or not.
TCF is applied and enforced by several ombudsmen within the different sectors.
However the Electrical Approved Inspection Authority has been appointed by the Department of Labour to treat Electrical issues. This is the first step before an Ombudsman should be contacted. (Step of remedial action)
For the "Electrical Industry", there is the Electrical Approved Inspection Authority, seeing that they are appointed in terms of the Electrical Installation Regulation by the Department of Labour.
A customer (Paying client) for services rendered by an artisan. An artisan being a registered person. Needs to apply Section 10 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
In between the artisan on site and the client you have the following.
| Client | Applicable Laws | Artisan |
|
Many clients
Electric fences must be signed off by a person with electric fence qualification
|
[-][-][-]OHS Act 85 of 1993 [-][-]SANS 60364-7-712 Low voltage electrical installations – Part 7-712: Requirements for special installations or locations – Solar photovoltaic (PV) power supply systems [-]SANS 10108 The Classification of hazardous locations and the selection of apparatus for use in such locations [-][-][-]SANS 10222-3 Electrical security installations – Part 3: Electric fences (non-lethal) and manufacture requirements [-]SANS 10142-1-1 The wiring of premises Part 1-1: Low-voltage installation in medical locations |
ETSP ELECTRICAL ENGINEER |
It is crucial as it is imperative to rather ask relevant "competent and capable" electrical subject matter experts before proceeding with electrical installations that you might not be familiar with. Three (3) opinions is better than one (1) to ensure effective due diligence and risk management. When in doubt feel free to consult with the Electrical Approved Inspection Authority.
As an electrician no matter your creed, you all speak the universal language of electricity. Therefore to apply a duty of care towards your daily meetings with clientele you should educate them with the correct information.
Thus as a registered electrical contractor, you have a duty to stay abreast of legislation, regulations and different applicable laws that pertains to the consumer, yourself and your registered business.
Some questions to be expected:
- What about the illegal "self named" electrical contractors and self named solar installers? (READ ON)
- What about the various illegal websites mimicking authorized solar suppliers? (READ ON)
- What about ...
"Electrical Businesses" - South African Registered Electrical Contractors. (All Registered artisans)
Irrespective of size, structure or age, every business carries risk. While starting building and running your own electrical business it is undoubtedly a rewarding professional accomplishment, the challenges faced by every artisan business can be harsh and complicated. At times you may feel as if you are juggling more than you can comfortably manage.
Read here about Understanding Your Value
However, you need to understand that there are various resources you can and may freely pull information from for assistance. Some of these resources vary. It is however extremely important that your registration with the Department of Labour is and stays valid. And that you always apply a documented qualitative and traceable duty of care.
Download the EIR Explanatory Guidance Notes Here
Performing of Annexure H Electrical Form
South African Professionals and Contractors - SAPAC, does advocate for the use and utilization by Electrical Contractors all over South Africa. To perform the designated "Annexure H" form. When ever possible. In terms of Section 24 of the Occupational Helath and Safety Act 85 of 1993.
In terms of that, to then to "assist the client" in terms of EIR Regulation 4(b), thereby applying your duty of care as described above.
Conclusion: It is imperative that all Electrical Contractors across South Africa band together as a united collective front. And perform the required Annexure H when ever possible. Safe Guarding the industry first and foremost and ensuring the safety of ordinary citizens.
Need more information or assistance?
If you came across this article and need assistance. Get in touch and we will gladly put you in contact with relevant competent and capable subject matter experts that will be willing to assist you.
"SAPAC" - South African Professionals and Contractors.
You can speak to any SAPAC to find out more as well.. Or you can come in contact with SAPAC to be referred to a SAPAC within your area. If you want to get to know SAPAC.
However in stating that. SAPAC is not for everyone. And why is that the case? You may ask! SAPAC, is aligned with regards to best practices amongst other aligned with various other corporate entities including Sanlam.
You "must be aligned" towards the requirements of the electrical industry and the discipline. To become a SAPAC is a decision that is to be taken seriously. All SAPAC stakeholders can attest to this..
Read the Collective Mission and Objectives Here
This article has been peer reviewed by relevant subject matter experts before publishing. SAPAC stance on this issue is that of the registered electrical contractors that forms part of SAPAC, including the majority of the electrical discipline within South Africa.
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