Employees doing electrical work for non-electrical employers?

[Marc]

The place where I work has had 2 portacabins delivered, and they now want power running out to them.

My employer, knowing that I'm in my final year of my 2330, has asked me once or twice if I'd be willing to do it. I told him at first I wasn't touching anything until I'd qualified, so he had a couple of people give him a quote; one gave

 

[Andy™]

you need to be competent to do the work. if you know what you are doing, then there is nothing to stop you

 

[professional]

[quote name='Andy

 

[M107]

Insurance is what you need to get sorted, or more correctly your employer needs to.

If something does go **** up & you get a belt while working who's going to pay ?

I made sure my employer (yes I work for somebodyelse while running my own business) got all the insurance in place with me named as the site / company electrician before I'd do any sparking for them.

 

[Marc]

Thanks for all the advice.

As I say he's almost certainly gone for someone else, but it's nice to know where I stand if he hasn't. I'm not too keen on doing it, but needs must and it'd be good experience. I'd consult my college tutor first but like I say hopefully he's gone for someone else.

I wasn't so much worried about my own health, more what would happen if for some reason it all went pear-shaped. I know testing etc should prove safety, but even the smallest chance something went wrong I wouldn't want it on my conscience.

Thanks again.

 

[Andy™]

have to add, if you need to consult your college tutor, are you competent to do the work?

 

[Lurch]

[quote name='Andy

 

[green-hornet]

There is only two points here that have already been covered.

One is competancy

and two is insurance.

I have 10 million public liability, and 10 million employers liability, and I must say the questions and clauses are a nightmare.

Then there is the risk assesments which cripple most employers, but without it they are at a complete loss whilst you, or in the event of your death, your family can claim.

Also tempory buildings come under a totally different set of regulations, and most installations are done by the hire companies, or there is a disclosure to exempt them from responsibility.

 

[Marc]

This was my thinking, but didn't want to upset anyone and start a tirade. I think there's competency with supervision, and competency. The fact the OP is so unsure I'd say it's a definite no, but that's not to say you are incompetent.

I'm confident in my decisions, and confident in my ability & capabilities, but would for my own piece of mind if I'm pushed into doing it.

 

[Andy™]

that may be the problem: if you feel you need to ask, then you may not be competent, and they should not be 'pushing' you into anything.

OOI, what do they employ you to do?

 

[Marc]

There is only two points here that have already been covered.One is competancy

and two is insurance.

I have 10 million public liability, and 10 million employers liability, and I must say the questions and clauses are a nightmare.

Then there is the risk assesments which cripple most employers, but without it they are at a complete loss whilst you, or in the event of your death, your family can claim.

Also tempory buildings come under a totally different set of regulations, and most installations are done by the hire companies, or there is a disclosure to exempt them from responsibility.

Thanks. He's bought the portacabins so it's been left to him to get power to them. I'm not keen at all on doing it, but have been in the job less than a month and it's only a contract position, so feel I have to keep them sweet if I want to keep my job. I'm not sure what insurance he has, but I've made it clear to him I'm weary of doing it for those reasons. He's not keen on forking out

 

[Marc]

[quote name='Andy

 

[Andy™]

he will still have to pay for materials, so it wont save him the full

 

[green-hornet]

Marc do what your comfortable with.

You where right to ask for advise, any person worth their salt will ask for advise.

If you feel uncomfortable, or feel that by doing this work you put yourself at risk then stay away from it.

At risk I mean taken advantage of, not only for this job but for future jobs.

I would do a detailed plan of works with method statements and material requirements, just as if you where doing the job yourself.

This would be a very good oppertuinity to put your training into practical experiance.

You do not have to do the job, but work out how you would do it if you did.

This way you will see how the electrician does the job, and you will be able to compare your solutions to his installation.

It could become one of the most important lessons you will learn.

On a footnote

 

[Marc]

[quote name='Andy

 

[Marc]

Marc do what your comfortable with.You where right to ask for advise, any person worth their salt will ask for advise.

If you feel uncomfortable, or feel that by doing this work you put yourself at risk then stay away from it.

At risk I mean taken advantage of, not only for this job but for future jobs.

I would do a detailed plan of works with method statements and material requirements, just as if you where doing the job yourself.

This would be a very good oppertuinity to put your training into practical experiance.

You do not have to do the job, but work out how you would do it if you did.

This way you will see how the electrician does the job, and you will be able to compare your solutions to his installation.

It could become one of the most important lessons you will learn.

On a footnote

 

[green-hornet]

without qualifications is very misleading.

Competancy is almost always decided in a court of law on relevant experiance (and not spelling obviously).

You would have to prove you are capable of the work, so regardless of what any employer thought, should anything happen you would be at the front line.

As a third year student I would expect you to be capable, but I dont think any insurance claim would be paid out, and thats the main problem.

 

[Marc]

without qualifications is very misleading.Competancy is almost always decided in a court of law on relevant experiance (and not spelling obviously).

You would have to prove you are capable of the work, so regardless of what any employer thought, should anything happen you would be at the front line.

As a third year student I would expect you to be capable, but I dont think any insurance claim would be paid out, and thats the main problem.

That was my big worry. I've some domestic experience, but never done anything on this size/scale. Especially without being supervised everything would be on my back and considering it's not my job it's not something I'm happy to do. I don't fancy going to jail if something goes wrong.

 

[green-hornet]

Do your calculations, make sure you allow for voltage drop on that swa run, if you get stuck, ask on this forum loads of guys will help you.

You will have to establish the maximum demand for the portacabins, and the earthing arrangements, this is the only way to work out what materials you would require.

Give him a detail layout of the requirements, material costs and labour costs based on say JIB rates. Then you have a calculated and properly costed job.

 

[Marc]

Do your calculations, make sure you allow for voltage drop on that swa run, if you get stuck, ask on this forum loads of guys will help you.You will have to establish the maximum demand for the portacabins, and the earthing arrangements, this is the only way to work out what materials you would require.

Give him a detail layout of the requirements, material costs and labour costs based on say JIB rates. Then you have a calculated and properly costed job.

Main DB in the workshop is already a submain. 3-core SWA with a seperate 25mm earth. I'm still thinking about how I'd earth the cabins.

I calculated (with diversity) demand of around 57amps, meaning 16mm 3-core to stay under 3% for lighting (or 6% if my facts are correct in that that's the allowance for private ligthing).

I'll give him a material cost, for JIB rates I think he'll just hand it back to me and tell me to do it for my current wage!

I'll be quick to ask if I'm unsure of anything, but fingers crossed he'll have someone come in to do it so it won't be left up to me.

Thanks,

Marc.