Safety update
ACCC product safety recall
Govt Policy Update
Christmas Shutdown
SAFETY UPDATE
Confined vs Restricted Spaces:
What Every Electrician Needs to Know
Correctly identifying confined and restricted spaces is critical for workplace safety and compliance in the electrotechnology industry.
Confined spaces are enclosed or partly enclosed areas not designed for continuous occupancy, where risks include unsafe oxygen levels, atmospheric contaminants, fire/explosion, or engulfment. Examples: cable pits, manholes, underground vaults, and large, poorly ventilated switch rooms.
Restricted spaces make entry and exit difficult but don’t present the same atmospheric or engulfment risks. Examples: small plant rooms, tight attic/roof spaces, areas behind switchboards, service shafts.
Key requirements:
- a safety observer is mandatory for all confined space work and strongly recommended when working in restricted spaces;
- Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is required for confined spaces (classified as high-risk), and for restricted spaces if the task has its own high-risk elements (e.g. work on energised circuits).
Always complete a risk assessment and ensure control measures are documented and in place.
Updates to NSW WHS Laws – What You Need to Know
The NSW Government has rolled out some key updates to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and related regulations. These changes are designed to modernise safety laws and strengthen accountability across all industries – including electrical and communications contracting.
Here’s what’s new:
- Codes of Practice will carry additional weight from 1 July 2026. Compliance with these documents, to the extent that they apply to the PCBU will be mandatory, unless you can show you’re meeting an equal or higher safety standard.
- Union WHS permit entry holders have greater powers, including expanded rights to enter sites and collect information.
- Prosecution timeframes have been extended – incidents can now be pursued beyond two years if the court considers it to be in the interests of justice.
- Psychosocial risks like stress, fatigue and bullying are now officially recognised as workplace hazards.
- The new WHS Regulation 2025 is now in effect, updating standards such as AS/NZS 3012:2019 for electrical installations.
- Silica Worker Register (from 1 Oct 2025): Businesses carrying out high-risk silica work* (cutting, drilling, grinding materials containing crystalline silica) must register affected workers with SafeWork NSW. Ensure processes, SWMS, and health monitoring are in place to protect workers and stay compliant.
What to do:
Take a moment to review your safety systems, training, and consultation processes to make sure they align with the new requirements. A proactive approach now will keep your business compliant, and your team protected.
Product recall: LG ESS Home Energy Storage System Batteries
Reason the product is recalled
Affected batteries may overheat and catch on fire.
The hazards to consumers
If a battery overheats, it may catch on fire and cause injury or death and/or damage to property. Incidents have occurred and caused damage to property.
What consumers should do
- you should take urgent action in response to this recall, due to the serious fire risk associated with these batteries.
- visit https://www.lgessbattery.com/au/recall/recallnotice.lg and follow the instructions to find out if your battery is affected by the recall.
- if you need help identifying affected batteries, immediately contact LGESAU by phone on 1300 677 273, by SMS to 0438 966 549 or by email to productau@lgensol.com.
- if your battery is affected and you are yet to have it remedied, please switch the battery off and contact LGESAU to schedule a technician site visit to deliver a remedy. To minimise the risk of fire, please keep the battery switched off until a remedy has been provided. If you are unsure how to switch your battery off, please contact LGESAU for assistance.
- LGESAU will provide a free replacement (or otherwise remove the battery at no cost to the consumer and provide a full refund if requested). If neither of the above remedies are acceptable to you, you will need to confirm this in writing or by phone with LGESAU. LGESAU will then discuss what, if any, alternative solution may be available to address the safety issue in your battery.
- LGESAU will provide financial compensation to consumers to offset any increase to electricity bills due to switched off or shutdown batteries.
For technical questions about the affected batteries, contact LGESAU by phone on 1300 178 064.
ACCC Product Safety Recall
New Aim Pty Ltd – Giantz 2.5mm Twin Core Electric Cable
Due to a manufacturing fault the cross section and current rating of the cable is significantly lower than marked and advertised. This may cause the cable to overload, overheat and catch fire during use.
The hazards to consumers
Risk of serious injury, death or property damage from electric shock or fire.
What consumers should do:
- stop using this cable immediately and check the affected product label or packaging for the model and batch number.
- if you are a customer who has this cable installed, contact the person that installed the cable and arrange for the cable to be disconnected and returned to the supplier.
- if you installed this cable for a customer, notify your customer and arrange for the cable to be disconnected and returned to the supplier.
contact New Aim customer service to arrange a refund. When contacting New Aim, please provide product details or proof of purchase. recalls@newaim.com.au.
Government Policy Update
Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP)
The Federal Government has announced an extension of the Key Apprenticeship Program (KAP) incentives until December 2026, a major boost for critical sectors like housing construction and clean energy, including carpenters, joiners, plumbers, and electricians.
- $5,000 for employers engaging apprentices in priority occupations;
- $10,000 for apprentices to support their training journey.
Since July, more than 6,600 housing apprentices and 15,400 new energy apprentices have started training under KAP and New Energy Apprenticeship Program (NEAP).
This initiative is part of a broader plan to build 1.2 million homes by 2029 and meet Australia’s net zero targets, ensuring a strong skills pipeline for the future.
DIGITAL POWER
Excerpt from “Electrical Connection” Magazine:
The way the world powers buildings is changing, and at the forefront of this shift is a concept only just building traction in Australia.
Unlike traditional AC systems, which push a stream of electricity through thick copper cables, digital power transmits pulsed DC energy along lightweight, communications cabling.
Read more HERE!
Christmas Shutdowns, Public Holidays, and Work Functions. What you need to know!
As we near the end of the year, it is important for employers to know their obligations regarding temporary workplace shutdown under their agreements and their applicable awards. In summary under most Awards (not including the Electrical Award) the employer is required to give affected employees at least 28 days’ written notice of a temporary shutdown (such as Christmas) and may direct the employee to take paid annual leave if accrued. Employees without sufficient leave can agree to take leave without pay, leave in advance or use any other available and relevant leave during the shutdown period. However, it should be noted however, for those employees covered under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award the employer is required to give 2 months’ written notice, unless a shorter timeframe is agreed by the majority of the affected employees.
For employees covered by an enterprise agreement or employment agreement that includes a provision on Christmas shutdown notice, you should comply with the timeframe in these agreements, otherwise the applicable award timeframe will apply.