Master Electricians Australia backs Queensland Government safety switch push
Master Electricians Australia today commended the Queensland Government for taking a bold step towards increasing electrical safety in the state’s homes.
The Government today released a discussion paper canvassing a range of options for increasing the penetration of electrical safety switches in homes. Options include requiring safety switches to be installed on all circuits of existing homes at the time of sale.
Master Electricians Australia spokesperson Andrew Bailey said safety switches were proven to save lives by cutting the power in the event of an electrical accident in as little as three hundreds of a second.
“Unfortunately around 20 per cent of homes continue to have no safety switches, and very few homes have protection on all circuits,” Mr Bailey said.
“In Queensland, safety switches could have prevented three-quarters of the 33 fatalities associated with electrical installations and equipment in the past 10 years.
“While home owners must ultimately take responsibility for the safety of their loved ones, it will require a concerted effort on the part of governments to ensure we maximise protection against electric shock.
“Master Electricians Australia commends the Queensland Government for this initiative, and we urge them to see the ideas through to full implementation.
“If that occurs, Queensland will be by far the most advanced state in terms of providing safety for all residents, regardless of where they live.”
Mr Bailey also urged home owners to act to ensure their own safety by having safety switches fitted to every circuit in the home.
“There’s no need to wait for government legislation to protect yourself and your family,” he said.
“We urge everyone to review their safety, and check whether they have safety switches fitted to their circuits.
“Safety switches in your switchboard can be distinguished by the ‘test’ button on the front. If they do not have a test button, they may likely be circuit breakers, not safety switches, and are not designed to save lives in an accident.
“If you don’t have safety switch protection on every circuit, you are not fully protected. Our message is not to wait for governments to act, but to move immediately to ensure your own safety.”
21st December 2011
The Government today released a discussion paper canvassing a range of options for increasing the penetration of electrical safety switches in homes. Options include requiring safety switches to be installed on all circuits of existing homes at the time of sale.
Master Electricians Australia spokesperson Andrew Bailey said safety switches were proven to save lives by cutting the power in the event of an electrical accident in as little as three hundreds of a second.
“Unfortunately around 20 per cent of homes continue to have no safety switches, and very few homes have protection on all circuits,” Mr Bailey said.
“In Queensland, safety switches could have prevented three-quarters of the 33 fatalities associated with electrical installations and equipment in the past 10 years.
“While home owners must ultimately take responsibility for the safety of their loved ones, it will require a concerted effort on the part of governments to ensure we maximise protection against electric shock.
“Master Electricians Australia commends the Queensland Government for this initiative, and we urge them to see the ideas through to full implementation.
“If that occurs, Queensland will be by far the most advanced state in terms of providing safety for all residents, regardless of where they live.”
Mr Bailey also urged home owners to act to ensure their own safety by having safety switches fitted to every circuit in the home.
“There’s no need to wait for government legislation to protect yourself and your family,” he said.
“We urge everyone to review their safety, and check whether they have safety switches fitted to their circuits.
“Safety switches in your switchboard can be distinguished by the ‘test’ button on the front. If they do not have a test button, they may likely be circuit breakers, not safety switches, and are not designed to save lives in an accident.
“If you don’t have safety switch protection on every circuit, you are not fully protected. Our message is not to wait for governments to act, but to move immediately to ensure your own safety.”
21st December 2011
