Published Saturday, 17 March, 2007 at 09:00 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
ELECTRICAL SAFETY DURING EASTER BREAK RENOVATIONS
Queenslanders planning to undertake home renovations over the Easter break have been advised by the Queensland Electrical Safety Office not to do their own electrical work, including minor repairs.
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said the Electrical Safety Office was urging electrical safety as the main priority when embarking on any home renovations or repairs.
He said the ESO was conducting a campaign leading up to Easter urging householders not to do their own electrical work.
“Enthusiastic DIYers must not attempt to do electrical work themselves - apart from being exteremely dangerous, it is also against the law and offenders can and have been prosecuted,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Don’t do your own electrical work campaign reminds people conducting renovations, or minor home repairs, that under Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002 all forms of electrical work have to be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor.
“The holidays provide an ideal time to catch up with repairs and renovations around the home – but that doesn’t mean doing your own unlicensed electrical work which can lead to injury and even death, both to the person doing the work, or to someone else in the residence.
“Illegal and shonky electrical work can bring tragedy to what should be a time when family and friends get together to enjoy the holiday.
“Renovators should also be aware that wiring and switchboards may become unsafe over time, particularly in older houses or if disturbed during renovation work. The Electrical Safety Office urges residents to have wiring and switchboards checked by a licensed electrical contractor prior to carrying out renovations.
Mr Mickel said some older wiring was made with materials that eventually deteriorated, exposing the wiring and posing a risk of electric shock and possibly causing a fire.
“To minimise risk, safety switches should be installed by a licensed electrical contractor to all light and power circuits, which provide good insurance against electric shock or other hazards,” he said.
Further information on safety switches and electrical safety can be found on the Electrical Safety Office website on www.deir.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 650 662.
Media inquiries: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
17 March, 2007
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said the Electrical Safety Office was urging electrical safety as the main priority when embarking on any home renovations or repairs.
He said the ESO was conducting a campaign leading up to Easter urging householders not to do their own electrical work.
“Enthusiastic DIYers must not attempt to do electrical work themselves - apart from being exteremely dangerous, it is also against the law and offenders can and have been prosecuted,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Don’t do your own electrical work campaign reminds people conducting renovations, or minor home repairs, that under Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002 all forms of electrical work have to be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor.
“The holidays provide an ideal time to catch up with repairs and renovations around the home – but that doesn’t mean doing your own unlicensed electrical work which can lead to injury and even death, both to the person doing the work, or to someone else in the residence.
“Illegal and shonky electrical work can bring tragedy to what should be a time when family and friends get together to enjoy the holiday.
“Renovators should also be aware that wiring and switchboards may become unsafe over time, particularly in older houses or if disturbed during renovation work. The Electrical Safety Office urges residents to have wiring and switchboards checked by a licensed electrical contractor prior to carrying out renovations.
Mr Mickel said some older wiring was made with materials that eventually deteriorated, exposing the wiring and posing a risk of electric shock and possibly causing a fire.
“To minimise risk, safety switches should be installed by a licensed electrical contractor to all light and power circuits, which provide good insurance against electric shock or other hazards,” he said.
Further information on safety switches and electrical safety can be found on the Electrical Safety Office website on www.deir.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 650 662.
Media inquiries: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
17 March, 2007