Master Installation Electrician legal requirements and registration criteria. (New- option 4).

Presented by: Pieter Coetzee

Compliance

Contents

INTRODUCTION

HISTORY

OHS Act

MIE’s RESPONSIBILITIES

REGISTRATION CRITERIA

Introduction

The Petro Chemical industry has experienced a decline in the available number of Master Installation Electricians (MIE) over the past number of years, particularly after the introduction of the Minimum Theoretical Qualification requirement of a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering NQF level 5 or a National N6 Certificate.

Experience shows that the person with these qualifications has a different career path in mind.

The person is not necessarily interested in becoming an MIE, but would rather become a technician or follow an engineering career.

Registered Master Installation Electricians

Totals 834 8,343 1,320

Sales Rep Master Electrician Installation Electrician Single Phase Tester

Johannesburg Office 251 2,373 312

Durban Office 193 1,379 86

Pretoria Office 162 1,951 368

Cape Town Office 108 1,353 322

East/South Cape Office 46 532 97

Bloemfontein Office 42 473 89

East London Office 21 216 35

Dee Head Office 6 55 10

Channing McDonald 2 1

System Administrator2 2 8 1

- None - 1

System Administrator 2

Occupational Health and Safety

Act 85 of 1993

Legal Responsibilities

REMEMBER people is our most valuable asset !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Section 8 - Every employer shall provide and maintain, as far as is reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of his employees

Companies with hazardous areas, for example petrochemical companies and contractors working for these companies are required by legislation to appoint MIE’s to ensure a safe operating environment.

EIR 2(1) The user or the lessor of the electrical installation, as the case may be, shall be responsible for the safety, safe use and maintenance of the electrical installation he or she uses or leases.

Why do we need the registered person?

EIR 7(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-regulation (3), every user or lessor of an electrical installation, as the case may be, shall on request produce the certificate of compliance for that electrical installation to an inspector, a supplier or, subject to regulation 4(1), an approved inspection authority for electrical installations.

Why do we need a registered person?

It’s a legal requirement, issued by a registered person

Ensure compliance of the electrical installation

Peace of mind for management to maintain safety integrity

Electrical Supplier may request it

Basic principle for a safe electrical environment

Chief Inspector of Machineries prescribed format of proof

Why must a COC be issued?

“registered person” means a person registered in terms of regulation 13 as an electrical tester for single phase, an installation electrician or a master installation electrician, as the case may be.

“master installation electrician” means a person who has been registered as a master installation electrician in terms of regulation 13 and who has been approved by the chief inspector for the verification and certification of the construction, testing and inspection of any electrical installation;

Electrical Installation Regulation (EIR)

EIR 5(4) Design and construction

A registered person shall exercise general control over all electrical installation work (hazardous locations) being carried out, and no person shall allow such work without such control.

"general control"

in relation to electrical installation work that is being carried out, includes instruction, guidance and supervision in respect of that work;

EIR 6(4)(b)Electrical contractor :employs a registered person in a full-time capacity, or is himself or herself a registered person

Electrical Installation Regulation (EIR)(continued)

"installation work" means

the installation, extension, modification or repair of an electrical installation;

the connection of machinery at the supply terminals of such machinery; or

the inspection, testing and verification of electrical installations for the purpose of issuing a certificate of compliance;

"specialised electrical installations" means electrical installations in

explosive atmospheres as contemplated in SANS10086-1;

the petroleum industry as contemplated in SANS 1 0089-2;

hazardous locations as contemplated in SANS 10108; or

medical locations as contemplated in SANS 10142-1, published by Standards South Africa;

Electrical Installation Regulation (EIR)(continue)

OPTION 1

Minimum integrated Practical and Theoretical QualificationRegistered as an IE for 2 yearsSubmit proof of 1 year practical experience in Hazardous LocationsNQF level 5 Electrical Engineering QualificationProof of success in two unit standards (inspect, test and certify Hazardous Locations) as prescribed by EWSETA.

Knowledge of Statutory RequirementsProof of knowledge on the legislation and relevant health and safety standards applicable to electrical installations (Specialized Electrical Installation Codes exam)

The first option of the current MIE Criteria

OPTION 2

PRACTICAL QUALIFICATIONRegistered as an IE for 2 years (Trade Test)Submit proof of 1 year practical experience in Hazardous LocationsProof of success in two unit standards (inspect, test and certify Hazardous Locations) as prescribed by EWSETA

MINIMUM THEORETICAL QUALIFICATIONNational N6 Certificate with one of the following subjects:

Electro techniques Fault Finding and Protection DevicesIndustrial Electronics

KNOWLEDGE OF STATUTORY REQUIREMENTSProof of knowledge on the legislation and relevant health and safety standards applicable to electrical installations (Specialized Electrical Installation Codes exam)

The second option of the current MIE Criteria

OPTION 3

Practical qualificationRegistered as an IE for 2 years (trade test) Proof of 1 year practical experience in Hazardous LocationsProof of success in two unit standards (inspect, test and certify Hazardous Locations) ) as prescribed by EWSETA.

Minimum theoretical qualification Submit a Diploma or Degree in Electrical Engineering:

T3 Diploma (Heavy Current) S4 Diploma (Power Engineering) B-Tech Degree BSc or B Degree Government Certificate of Competency (Factories or Mines)

Knowledge of statutory requirementsProof of knowledge on the legislation and relevant health and safety standards applicable to electrical installations (Specialized Electrical Installation Codes exam)

The third option of the current MIE Criteria

NEW OPTION 4

Practical QualificationRegistered as an IE for 2 years (trade test) Proof of 5 years practical experience in Hazardous LocationsProof of success in two unit standards (inspect, test and certify Hazardous Locations) ) as prescribed by EWSETA.Submit documentary proof of the RPL declaration from South African Flameproof Association (SAFA) MIE Group.

Minimum Theoretical Qualification

National N3 Certificate with the following compulsory subjects:Mathematics

Engineering science or industrial electronics

Electrical trade theory or electro-technology

Or

The fourth option of the current MIE Criteria

OPTION 4 cont.

Grade 12 (Standard 10) CertificateMathematics

Science

Technica – electrical or an equivalent subject that may include a N3 subject .

Note 1: The candidate must pass each subject with a minimum of 40%.

Note 2 : These minimum theoretical subjects could be a combination of Grade 12 and

N3 subjects.

Knowledge of Statutory RequirementsProof of knowledge on the legislation and relevant health and safety standards applicable to electrical installations by having passed the subject Specialised Codes as administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

The fourth option (new) of the current MIE Criteria

The applicant completes the SAFA application form to be assessed by the SAFA MIE appointed Group, this assessment will validate the workplace competency of the applicant, and the applicant will undergo an interview

SAFA MIE group will evaluate the portfolio of evidence and approve or reject the application

The SAFA MIE group will consist of a broad spectrum of the Ex industry and training centres. DOL may forward questions that could form part of the questions that can be asked during the interview.

The applicant will be questioned during the interview regarding Explosion Prevention Methodologies.

The SAFA MIE group will identify gaps (if any) during the interview and request the applicant to close these gaps and apply to be re-assessed.

The SAFA MIE group will sign a Certificate of Personal Competency (COPC) and addressed to DOL and also submitted to the applicant was successful

All COPC’s will be captured in a data base that will be kept at SAFA, and will be available to DOL on request (SAFA web page access) The applicant completes the SAFA application form to be assessed by the SAFA MIE appointed Group, this assessment will validate the workplace competency of the applicant, and the applicant will undergo an interview

SAFA MIE group will evaluate the portfolio of evidence and approve or reject the application

The SAFA MIE group will consist of a broad spectrum of the Ex industry and training centres. DOL may forward questions that could form part of the questions that can be asked during the interview.

The applicant will be questioned during the interview regarding Explosion Prevention Methodologies.

The SAFA MIE group will identify gaps (if any) during the interview and request the applicant to close these gaps and apply to be re-assessed.

The SAFA MIE group will sign a Certificate of Personal Competency (COPC) and addressed to DOL and also submitted to the applicant was successful

All COPC’s will be captured in a data base that will be kept at SAFA, and will be available to DOL on request (SAFA web page access)

SAFA MIE group process for option 4

Pre requisites for applicationHas registration as an Installation Electrician for two years.

Has five years practical experience in hazardous locations.

Has a National N3 Certificate or a technical grade 12 with relevant subjects (see brochure)

Has a certificate for the Specialised Codes at FET

Has a letter from the EWSETA for Unit Standards for hazardous installations

   

 

Option 4 process flow

5 Application 3 candidates successful.

1 candidate not successful – Gap: needs N3 certificate.

1 candidate application in process.

MIE’s assessed by SAFA MIE group

5 Application 3 candidates successful.

1 candidate not successful – Gap: needs N3 certificate.

1 candidate application in process.

MIE’s assessed by SAFA MIE group

Thank you!

Another SAFA milestone