NAPIT hosted a round-table debate in Westminster on 18 June to discuss ideas for the improvement of electrical safety. Over 9,500 registered installers are represented by NAPIT, who took the initiative to organise the debate, due to ongoing concern over the current legal framework which can mean that unsafe electricians are able to practice freely, endangering themselves and consumers.
Representatives from; all three leading certification organisations, Local Authority Building Control, training providers, fire and rescue service and a number of other interested parties joined NAPIT in discussing key issues for the sector. Areas discussed included:
·Opportunities to encourage non-registered electricians to join the existing electrical Competent Person Scheme
·Steps to improve consumer awareness of the need to use a registered electrician
·Enforcement and penalties for any electrician who breaks existing building regulations
·The potential to develop a mandatory scheme covering all notifiable electrical work, known as a License to Practice
Following the meeting, attendees were joined for dinner by Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee and Barry Sheerman MP, Chair of the newly formed Home Safety Group. Feedback on the group discussions was received positively by the Members of Parliament and a number of potential initiatives were identified.
Martin Bruno, NAPIT’s Chief Operating Officer, commented after the event:
‘’At NAPIT we are passionate about electrical safety and so are our members who regularly come across examples of bad or dangerous practice in electrical installation. It was a privilege to be able to host this meeting and to initiate a positive discussion around actions that the industry can take to improve consumer safety.
I was delighted that Clive Betts MP and Barry Sheerman MP were able to join us and thank them for their continuing interest in electrical safety. We intend to work with colleagues across the sector and our members to bring some of the excellent ideas, discussed today to fruition’’