Electrical Licencing Changes commencing from 1st September 2024

In 2017, Athenry’s News Flash #4 explored Electrical (Safety) Regulation 100 referencing AS/NZS 4836:2011, and the importance of safe working procedures near low-voltage electrical installations. The article highlighted the danger of working within 500mm of exposed conductive parts — an area of work where even a momentary lapse can be catastrophic.

Today, we return to this critical topic with a focus on Arc Flash Protection and the role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). With mounting industry awareness and the potential for extreme harm, it’s vital for every PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) to understand, assess, and mitigate arc flash risk.

The Electrical Worker Registration Board (EWRB) is introducing a new Stepped Licensing Framework which comprises new prescribed classes of registration and competency requirements.

On 1^st September 2023 notices were published by the EWRB setting out the new Stepped Licencing Framework, this included new prescribed classes of registration and competency requirements. The notices will come into effect on 1^st September 2024.

The Electricity (Prescribed Classes Registration for Electrical Workers) Notice 2023 prescribes classes of registration designated by the Electrical Worker Registration Board (EWRB) and specifies the prescribed electrical work that a person is authorised to do or assist in doing for each of those classes. More specifically, the Notices:

Change the requirements for registration across all classes.
Change the limits of work that can be carried out by each class of registration to align more closely with the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010; and,
Introduce new endorsed classes of registration to recognise the unique risks in particular working environments, these are medical cardiac protected areas, hazardous areas, mains parallel generation systems and supervision (a Stepped Framework).

Athenry Electrical will be ensuring all electrically registered staff comply and are deemed competent in the classes as necessary. Initially our emphasis will be with Hazardous Areas and Supervision.

Case In Point # 1

In a recent project it was recommended through a Work Safe directed audit, that an arc flash study and report be compiled on a customer motor control center (MCC). This was due to the necessity of personnel having to open panel doors, which exposed them to insulated bus assemblies, so they could isolate and or reset motor overloads or circuit breakers etc. The report presented an unacceptable high-risk arc flash hazard with an expected incident energy significantly higher than 40cal/cm². (calories per centimeter squared). This relates to an energy level that cannot be protected against with any PPE available.

Both the Customer and Athenry were shocked (Excuse the pun) to discover that both the customer and Athenry staff have been subjected to this risk for such a long time. Thank God that there was never a fault!

The report also described the arc flash boundary, which in this case was approximately 7 meters – Technically the distance from live parts that are uninsulated or exposed with which a person could receive second degree burns if an arc flash was to occur – this is the closest anyone may approach without the use of PPe.

The report recommended:

Replace the incomer ACB with a new intelligent ACB which provides network capabilities and add a remote-control panel for applying Energy Reduction Maintenance settings and remote trip reset functions
Lockable doors with extended rotary handles on circuit breakers/starters etc.
Install arc flash hazard labels in MCC room to identify Arc Flash hazard risk

With the risk and potential con- sequences identified Athenry worked with the customer and assisted with implementing mandatory minimum PPE re- quirements, Standard operating process for access to MCC room, guidance for wearing and main- taining PPE and worked toward upgrading MCC as per recom- mendations of the report.

Case in Point # 2

WorkSafe is urging employers to mitigate risks before carrying out any electrical work, after a worker suffered serious electrical burns to his hands during a switchboard installation.

The consequences were significant:

A fine of $150,000 was imposed
Reparations of $8,000 were ordered
The electrical company was charged under Sections 36(2), 48(1), and 48(2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
As a PCBU, the company failed to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers while carrying out electrical work.
The workers were exposed to a serious risk of arc flash.

The maximum penalty under this legislation is a fine not exceeding $1.5 million.

While legal penalties are measurable, they don’t capture the human impact—nor the disruption to plant, equipment, and production that follows. If the circumstances described in Case in Point #1 had resulted in a fault, potential consequences might have included:

Fatality
Serious or permanent injury/disability
Major fines and reparations
Complete destruction of the MCC
Months of plant downtime costing millions
Loss of market share
Years of effort to rebuild the business and reputation

As part of our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of electrical safety, Athenry Electrical is currently revising our Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures. This update covers access and work around Low Voltage Electrical Switchboards, Switch Rooms, and Motor Control Centres (MCCs), including isolation, resetting, testing, and terminations.

Under the revised approach, unless a current, documented risk assessment and maintenance schedule exists—particularly for larger MCBs and ACBs—our technicians will conduct their own Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) or Job Safety Analysis (JSA) prior to beginning any work. This ensures hazards are identified and appropriate PPE and control measures are implemented.

All Athenry staff are now equipped with:

Arc-rated overalls (Class 2 / 8 cal/cm²)
Electrical safety gloves
Face shields

This PPE is the minimum standard for all switchboard-type work and complies with AS/NZS 4836. If higher risk is identified—such as elevated arc flash potential—our team will escalate accordingly. This may involve total isolation, rescue-trained personnel, or a specialist Arc Flash Risk Assessment.

Our stance is clear: Safety will never be compromised due to operational pressures.

We remind all plant owners that it is your responsibility under the HSWA to ensure risks are known, maintenance is up to date, and appropriate signage is visible. However, Athenry is here to support you through this process.

Many older circuit breakers and switches have never been tested or maintained and pose serious risks including malfunction, internal failure, or arc flash. Even when functional, these aging devices may not isolate or reset properly—leading to dangerous conditions and costly downtime.

We strongly recommend conducting a full review of your power distribution and circuit protection systems. With this knowledge, a standard operating procedure (SOP) can be established to guide safe access, testing, and isolation practices.

If you’re unsure where to start, we’re here to help.

Understanding Arc Flash →