• Claude is back this summer
• Risk of halogen light fittings
• Are you certifying your gasfitting work correctly?
• Keeping safe this holiday season
• Standards New Zealand’s 2019 Energy Safety Forum
• Closed for the holidays

Slip, slop, slap and cat – Claude is back for another Summer Energy Safety campaign.

Our latest summer campaign focuses on DIY and outdoor risks including gas safety in caravans and tents, checking your LPG bottle connection on the barbeque, and looking out for live lines when working at height outdoors.

We've also added two new risks to the mix – digging safely and what to look, listen and smell for with dodgy appliances.

We'll be back on Facebook with a series of new engagement posts including competitions in the new year, we have radio ads, digital placements and our videos will feature on such video streaming sites as TVNZ on Demand.

Head over to our website to check out all of Claude's gas and electricity safety tips!

Did you know that halogen light fittings operate at very high temperatures and therefore can be hazardous? 

Manufacturers’ instructions that are supplied with compliant light fittings specify safe distances from flammable materials, including materials it can be safely mounted on. The Australian/New Zealand wiring rules electricians follow also has requirements around the safe installation of lighting, particularly downlights.

Incorrectly installed halogen light fittings or those installed using inadequate instructions can potentially cause fires. For example, due to a process called pyrolysis*, halogen light fittings installed too close or on a surface unsuitable for prolonged contact with hot temperatures (e.g. wooden timber joists, building paper, thermal insulation) may cause fires through long-term use. 

We have been notified of significant fires in dwellings likely due to pyrolysis, including one case involving the chemical decomposition of wood due to the continuous application of heat from a halogen light fitting.  

Halogen light fittings are now commonly replaced by low temperature LED technology. If old halogen light fittings need replacing, we recommend you use LED light fittings as they're safer and cheaper to run.

Make sure you do checks at home or engage an electrician to do this. For halogen light fittings, checks should be done periodically for any indication of overheating – look out for evidence of black/brown discolouration around the light fitting or any odd smells. We also recommend engaging an electrician to check downlights installed in ceiling spaces to prevent the risk of electric shock or falling from height.

*Pyrolysis is the chemical decomposition of substances through action of heat, in the absence of oxygen and may result in the risk of the material catching fire at much lower temperatures.

This year we have issued three infringement notices to gasfitters for failing to follow the certification requirements for gas installation work. Gasfitters are legally obliged to follow best practice, as set out in the gas regulations, and to certify the gasfitting work upon connection. They then must provide the certification to clients as soon as possible within the timeframes specified in these regulations. 

Certification cannot be withheld beyond the specified timelines for any reason.

Outside of these timelines, the certifier has seven working days to provide the certification to those requesting it i.e. clients, occupants, WorkSafe or the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). There have been cases where gasfitters have ignored several requests from clients or provided incorrect information on the Certificate of Compliance, resulting in us issuing an infringement notice costing the gasfitters a $1,000 fine.  

If you are a consumer and wish to report an incident involving unsafe gasfitting work in your home, office or building, contact us on 0800 030 040 (select 4) or notify us online.

With festivities in full swing for many of us this Christmas, we want you to keep a look out for any electrical or gas hazards. Overloading electrical sockets, failing to check gas barbecues for gas leaks, or purchasing unsafe goods, may put you at risk.

Gas barbecue safety

Make sure to check your pipe connections if you haven’t used your barbecue for awhile.  The burner should be clear of debris and insects, the pipe connections should be tight and snug to avoid gas leaks, and check the connection each time you change the bottle. Use soapy water and check for bubbles - if it bubbles, you've got troubles. 

Use your barbecue in a well ventilated area and if you are assembling a new barbecue follow the instruction manual. You can read more about gas safety on our website.

Electrical safety

Decorative lights at home are great for the festive season but ensure you don’t overload your power sockets. It’s not necessary to leave the lights twinkling all night either. Make sure you switch them off before bed to avoid overheating.

Also keep an eye on high voltage appliances such as stoves, hair appliances and electrical chargers. If you’re busy entertaining guests or going out, make sure your appliances are switched off to avoid risk of fire.

Shopping safely

When shopping online take care that goods you’re buying are suitable for New Zealand voltage and frequency (230 V and 50 Hz). Also check that it has a New Zealand plug. Cheap products on the market may be unsafe and may not be compliant with New Zealand’s electrical and gas safety regulations. Do your homework before you buy – it’s worth checking the history of the manufacturer and seller first, and remember it's illegal to sell gas and electrical appliances in an unsafe condition. 

Standards New Zealand will be hosting an Energy Safety Standards Forum in March 2019.  

It will cover matters that affect or have the potential to affect the safe supply or use of gas or electricity in New Zealand.

From the forum they aim to produce a catalogue of threats and opportunities, an analysis of their likely importance and impact, whether a standards-based solution is available or could be developed, and an indication of the relative priorities for addressing these matters. 

Keep an eye for more information from them in the new year.

We're taking a break over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Our offices will close on 21 December at 5pm and reopen on 3 January.

Please note that we are not an emergency response service. If you are reporting an immediate hazard such as the smell of gas or fallen powerlines, call 111 immediately.

Workplace gas and electrical accidents should be reported to us by calling 0800 030 040 and selecting Option 2. Non-workplace events can be reported on our website.

We wish you a safe holiday and prosperous New Year.