QUESTION
Industry to target = Electricity distribution and transmission
Regulatory Compliance
A well functioning regulatory system is an essential component of modern
society. However, business groups have expressed growing concerns about
the compliance burdens regulation imposes on business and the community.
Productivity Commission,
Regulation and its Review 2004-05, p. xiii
With reference to your workplace, discuss a particular regulatory
compliance issue (or issues), including a cost/benefit analysis. Include a
discussion of the compliance strategies adopted by your organisation, and
your recommendations for improving the quality of regulation and
reducing the compliance burden in relation to the issues discussed.
Assessment criteria
Outline of the particular regulatory compliance issue or issues 30%
Cost/benefit analysis 10%
Compliance strategies adopted 35%
Recommendations for law reform 15%
Appropriate presentation, structure, referencing, assignment length 10%
* Word count: +/- 10% will be accepted. Assignment length outside these limits will incur loss of marks.
SOLUTION
The current essay deals with the issues related to the transmission and distribution of Electricity in ABHI Company. Here we deal with the different issue the organization is facing due to the transmission and distribution of electricity which may be due to wiring issues or even the modem of power generated for the systems. The issues include the power supply organized to different parts of the building, lack of proper wiring in rear part of the building, lack of proper power distribution in the parking area, sloe power transmission during power cuts and lack of installation of proper conductors for the functioning of the hardware systems. It is essential for the organization to check through the issue related to power supply as it is one of the main sources for processing of work. Power generated must be utilized properly and with greater care, but as noted above there had been instances where the employee raised complaint ticket against the electricity administration team.
It is very troublesome to continue work with regular power cuts, it is the duty of the administration team to check the wiring and the power generator such that there would be no power cuts and also that the work flow does not get disturbed. The administrative department has not even taken any precautions to the wiring at the rear end of the building where the employees go out during their free time. Besides the rear part of the building there is no proper organization of the power supply and plug points in the parking lot of the building where employee park their vehicle and are having trouble during the night time in locating their vehicle and also there is no guarantee of safety against any insects or such as the Company is located outside the city. Not only the external part electricity issue compliance is even internal where there is lack of proper installation of power conductors and terminals to maintain proper flow of power for the hardware machinery. It is essential that these systems be installed in a way they can be installed even by people of lower experience and issues can be resolved. The Company has not abided by the use of Junction boxes at the required places to avoid the display of wires or even the power distribution from the junction box is not been properly maintained. The electricity power supply board is not placed in the place without proper identification nor is it been maintained with any warning sign boards. There had been instances that many employees had to face minor shocks while moving around in the premises. The warning board has been set but it is not properly maintained. There have been instances where the employee faced electricity compliance issues while working in the floor. Six months back there had been issue relating to the supply of electricity over the work floor and even the rest room area. In these areas it is very important that proper flow of energy is maintained and also that there was insufficient conductor capacity and insulation of wires because of which the work had to be delayed for a long period.
One more issue observed was relating to the use of air-conditioner (AC) on the floor (Brooks Bill, PE). The amplifier attached for the power supply of the AC lacked proper maintenance and also it was not properly fixed. The wires were protruding outside in all directions which were never safe in places where moment of people is frequent. This wiring has also created problem in pest control in those areas, apart from proper use of wirings and adapters the wires used have been scattered all over the place because of which people may trip in darkness. Due to this unsafe wiring method there has been excessive voltage drop and also because of excessive voltage drop the pressure on AC adapter is increased which may spoil its functioning, not only the AC even other electronic goods are getting drastically effected by the voltage drop. Lack of improper placing of over current protection devices and also the disconnected wires are left unattended, which are very dangerous during short circuit or any other emergency times. Unattended disconnected wiring also creates havoc in the work place and it will disturb the safety and health of the employees.
Here we need to properly understand the need for a safe electrical wiring system lack of which creates the above stated problems. Not only our organization but there are many other organizations which have implemented these kind of wirings or adaptor installation system which are of low quality and also function at a low quality. It is very essential for the organization to keep a proper electrical wiring system such that there is safety for the health of the employee and as well the machinery. Use of machinery with low quality may affect even the management of power supply in the organization. With no proper lighting in the parking area there are chances of pests crawling in to the work premises which may create a great havoc on the floor. These electricity compliance issues have been addressed to the management at regular intervals, even after claiming inspection over these issues there has been never a proper solution made for all these issues. This is because of lack of proper efficiency in the electricity inspector or may be lack of knowledge of the technicality of using highly sophisticated machinery. If the organization is planning to save cost by using cheap and low quality electrification methods then it is incurring heavy budget on purchasing the other electrical goods which work with these cheap electricity. In current era many electrical accidents occur due to lack of proper wiring and distribution of electricity. Organizations should take the required measure if not they may have to incur huge losses by way of man power and machinery power. They have to take required precautions based on the regulations laid down by the government and have to select such methodology which would be helpful for the organization and which helps in proper maintaining of electricity transmission and distribution.
From the above we understand that due to cost the organization is not able to manage is efficient electricity control for distribution and transmission of power, and then in those situations it has to go for a method which is cost effective and also employee effective. Cost effective does not mean using of cheap and low quality resources but efficient resources at a lower price. First it has to analyze and understand the proper electricity wiring around the building and latter has to check through the places where there is need to upgrade them such that they work properly. Before it goes for sophisticated tools, it better first implement simple tooling system such as use of different terminals which require less man power and are also cost effective, then using junction boxes(Brooks Bill, PE) where ever required such that the wiring is not scattered all over the place. With these simple methods it can reduce the use of low quality electricity precautionary methods. The organization has to remember that electricity wiring is for long term benefit and it has to do it in parts and not all at once. It has to first list down all the list of issues received from the employees then priorities the issue and find an efficient but cost effective ways, such has use of solar lights in the parking area and sensor lights which put off when they do not sense any one present there. This way the expense of wiring the ceiling of the parking area would be reduced and that cost could be used in other areas. Latter it can use the same solar system for electricity in rest rooms and the rest areas because they are not frequently used and thus they can save electricity. Using of efficient tubes which are proper insulators to flow of electricity and even are resistant to certain short circuits. Than brining in electricians for every small issue and spending on them, the organization can train its employee on simple areas of safety-related work practices, such as the safety procedures and other safety practices such they could be alert in case of emergencies (1910.269(a)(2)(i)). It has to even train the qualified employees in skills and techniques by which they can in turn train the other employees (1910.269(a)(2)(ii)). These training can be discussed further as one of the compliance strategy. For the cost and benefit of the organization, it can opt for methodologies such as proper construction of insulators and other precautionary method where there is a means of cutting down the power and means of electrical isolation. It can even install proper vaults such that the electrical wires are operated and maintained by skilled personnel. By maintaining these volts there would be no scattering of wiring and many issues related to human safety can be avoided. It can organize for a vented volt where there is proper flow of air such that the machinery which works heavily can adjust to the temperature changes such that hazardous atmospheres can be avoided. The organization should make all the employees feel responsible for their act in utilizing the electricity and also in maintaining clean surrounding near the transformers and power generators of the organization. These are all the cost and benefit methods the organization can utilize as a precaution against the compliance issues of electricity.
As we have understood the issues of the organization and the cost effective methods available for its functioning we would further understand the different strategies that could be adapted by the organization to avoid the electricity compliance issue and attain the electricity compliance certificate for its better performance in dealing the issues related to electricity. It is very essential that every organization abides by the regulations of the Electricity commission such as the Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations (2002), the Low Voltage Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations (1988) (made under the consumer protection act, 1987), the Building (Scotland) Regulations, 2004 and etc., these regulations help in dealing with injury and risk solely arising from the electric isolations.
With the global world walking towards go green concept, it is our duty to even save energy. For saving this energy and resolving the issues related to the Company it is essential that follows the norms stated under the electricity at work regulations, 1989 (Electrical and Control system corporate group, 2011). Under this regulations it is specifically stated the precautions to be taken to avoid compliance issues on Electricity transmission and distribution. It is the essential rule for every organization to take precautionary measures in utilization of electricity. This part is to be administered by the experts. As we have seen the issues faced by the Company employees, I would like to give a brief note on the compliance strategy the Company can take for resolving the issues stated above. Those strategies include the installation of proper wiring on the floor, as stated under the cost analysis it can opt for wiring with good quality and are better than low quality. These installations include the installation of over current protection conductors which are useful in protecting the conductors from hazardous fire during the period of overload and short circuit. The options include the fuse and circuit breakers (Brooks Bill, PE). The organization much take precautionary measures in the wiring methodology such as using crimped terminals which are helpful for securing the conductors to a ring or spade type of terminals due to which they do not fall in the way nor they are affected by any pests. These crimped terminals are prone to develop high resistance over a time, it is essential that these terminals are installed with heavy-electrical tools and also soldering is essential if the voltage is 12 volts. This crimped terminal may be considered to be a high grade UL listed terminals. Apart from this there are many other wiring techniques such as binding post terminals which is more advantageous than the crimped terminals, use of wire nuts which have high resistance to short circuit and are shock proof, these have to be checked periodically for better performance. Next are the plug and receptacle type conductor and most commonly used Junction boxes. By installing the plug and receptacle type conductors the organization is at a benefit of labor saving and protecting the live parts which is essential in easy trouble shooting and maintenance of the electricity, this method has its disadvantages but if monitored properly by the management it would work more efficiently. Next would be the use of Junction boxes, these boxes are useful for wiring in the outside premises of the building. As we have issue of wiring in the rear part and also the parking area the organization can use junction boxes such that it can maintain the flow in distribution of power and also it can protect the wiring from short circuits. Junction box is a kind of methodology where the wiring is enclosed in tubes and are connected to a electrical box, because of this box the wiring is not scattered thus the danger of tripping and other dangers have been avoided. Next strategy is the use of conductor insulator wires which do not come into contact with personnel or machinery. All the methods stated under the cost benefit analysis would be helpful here under the strategy for safeguarding the organization against electricity issue. The insulation wires are temperature and sunlight, oil, water resistant. The conductors which are the wiring and cable used in the electrical system are available in various sizes and as per the requirement of the company. There are many varieties in conductors available in market and for better efficiency organizations can use copper conductors than Aluminum. As stated conductors are a good strategy for resolving electricity issue but this depends upon the resistance of the conductor which in turn depends on type of the wire, wire gage, length of the wire etc. There are many different strategies for regulating the use of electricity in the organization. One of such strategy is a qualified administration tea and also a skilled electricity inspection officer. As mentioned above it is essential to have a qualified person and also for efficiency in the organization it is essential to even give them training on how to go about in the situations of emergency and also how to deal with the issues and how to resolve them. These members can in turn train the other regular employees such that they are alert in case of emergency. The qualified member should be trained in required skills and techniques that are necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed parts (1910.269(a)(2)(ii)(B)), they should have skills and techniques in distinguishing the exposed live parts with the other electrical parts (1910.269(a)(2)(ii)(A)), etc are the some of the types of trainings to be given to the qualified person such that he deals efficiently with all the electricity related issues. His training may be classroom or on-job training but it is essential that he is training such that he is skilled in dealing with different kinds of voltage situations and also should have the knack in implementing what he is trained on. It is the compulsory duty of the employer to check the proficiency of the qualified member and also other employees during and after the training such that they can understand which employee need additional training. The qualified employee should have all the technical knowledge for dealing with any issues related to the electricity in and around the premises of the organization. It is essential that they act as per the knowledge such that they are asset to the organization than being a liability by not performing well because administering electricity is that field where there is chance of effecting human life safety. Along with the qualified members we even have the electricity inspectors who inspect frequently over the connections all over the organization. This electricity inspector should be professionally skilled in the field he is into. He should have the knowledge of the electric industry compliance activity, should know electric utility operations, and have the proficiency in training the assigned staff. He should be efficient enough to inspect properly over the cabling and wiring all over the premises such that he has the idea of the issue. He is under the primary obligation to see that all the wiring is done properly. He has to take help of the organization if needed. It is the primary duty of the inspection officer to verify how the electricity flow is connected and controlled and the wiring of the utilized for the proper flow of electricity in the grid. We now know some of the strategies available for compliance of the electricity issue such as the wiring, qualified member, and electricity inspection officer. These strategies are regular and must for an organization. As we understand the issues of the organization are mostly in wiring, power cuts and voltage drops, the stated strategies would be very helpful and along with those strategies it would be advisable for the organization to abide by the regulations and laws of the state. They have to abide by all the electric laws and also different regulations such that they can reduce the compliance issue of electricity. Along with these strategies it is also essential to have the knowledge of the electricity grid and this grid helps in transmission of power for longer distances, it is a remote clean energy resource. This transmission of power is regulated by federal, state, regional and local entities (Jim Hoecker, Wayne Galli, Greg Ioanidis, and Kevin Kelly, 2009). Apart from the governed and regulated strategy it is the duty of every working employee, employer or any member of organization to switch of power in places not utilized, they should not even involve in any activities that may restrict the flow of power or put more burden on the electricity wiring. They should not load the working system with heavy voltage duties which may result in voltage drop or short circuit; they should not play with the wiring, should not place any goods before the switch boards (reg 15, Electrical and Control Systems Corporate Group) and should act as per the instructions of the administration team. Thus, even though there are many regulated strategies it is duty of every member of the organization to protect their organization against electricity hazards.
As we have understood the compliance strategies available we have to even check the law available and what are the actual loops because of which the organizations are facing these issues in electricity and what reforms can be made such that they are followed efficiently. Some of the legal reforms are application of National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 690 overview, this law reform is very effective and helps us in understanding the usage of solar energy for the better saving of the electricity and avoid electricity issues. The different laws include the Electricity Act 1996, Electricity General (regulations) Act 1997, Electricity (National Scheme) Act, 1997 and the legislations on the national electricity market. We understand from the essay that use of low quality wires is also one of the reasons for electricity compliance issue in the organization. From this we can gather that the prices of wiring required for the organization are high due to which the Companies have opted for low quality and low price cable wiring. It is essential that legislations on the national electricity market should be cost effective such that small entrepreneurs can afford good quality of conductors and insulators for the wiring system. The market has to regulate the prices and also their availability. The responsible minister should take required care about the quality of the wiring and also they have to plan the prices based on the marketing and organization demands. The cost should be economical and also in the same way it should be effective for the national market.
Not all organizations abide by the regulation of the electricity act because some are negligent of it and some cannot completely interpret it, thus it is essential that the management should help the employee in understanding the enactments they have to abide by. Thee enactments should be specific and also should be user friendly such that regular employees also can understand it and they can interpret it. The electricity national scheme act deals with the regulation of national market and thus it is essential that they check in if their law is meeting the requirements of the current market demands, if it is not meeting the current demands it has to be amended in a way that it can be made applicable in any situation. They should reform the pricing value of the cables and insulators such that they are available to all. Under the NEC article 690 it is essential that the government provides training of using solar panels in all the organizations. The government should make the solar energy devices available to all the entrepreneurs, such that the electricity can be saved. It has to guide the companies in installing that machinery and also train them in the usage.
Every law has some cons that may affect its efficiency in implementation, when it comes to electricity issues, they differ in many ways and these issues crop up in a new place every day, the federal government should take measures in implementing laws in a way to deal all the situations faced in the market. The EAW regulations stated above will apply to electric works in domestic premises. As the regulations are applicable to domestic premises the regulations should be useful for the domestic organizations. The inspectors should enforce the EAW regulation in the place of the 1908 Regulations previously applied or where the HSW act was used. While implementing this law he has to check all the grounds it can be implemented on. With this regulation we can have the on-site electrician to measure voltages and also check the earthing as per the regulations.
The laws applicable for the reforms on the electricity issue have to be made in a way that they could be used by the current market and it meets the current market needs. In the current situation the organization is in need of all the essential machinery for an effective compliance of electricity. It is not compulsory that they can completely remove the issues but they can be helpful in reducing the electricity issues. Law is the most essential norms which all the organizations have to abide by and these laws need to be reformed in certain areas such that they can be implemented in the companies. The area of reformation would be the status of its applicability and also the different provisions it gives to different field of organization. It is essential that law reforms should be made such that they are applicable to the changing needs of the market. If it is not reformed then it would not be applied properly and effectively. The regulations must be compulsorily implemented and followed by all the organizations which fall in the area where this law is applicable. If they have to abide by the rules of the law it should be helpful for the organizations which are following it. If the law is to be strictly followed then even its applicability should be helpful for those organizations that have to compulsorily follow it. Many reforms as stated above should be compulsorily made in the laws and in the national market such that they are applied properly. These reforms will help them in enacting the laws.
We cannot specifically mention a particular reform of law because the market needs differ with the area of the market, so laws should be flexible in a way to reach the organizations of different markets. Electricity law is very essential and it should be dealt with lot of precaution as it involves the health and safety of the individuals of the organization. Thus, laws of electricity need to be implemented in a way that they are strictly followed by all the organizations.
REFERENCE:
- Compliance Statement, Power distribution Compliance Report 2010 & 2011, Scottish and Southern Energy, 2011; http://www.ssepd.co.uk/ComplianceInformation/
- Jim Hoecker, Wayne Galli, Greg Ioanidis, and Kevin Kelly, Electric Transmission 101: How the Grid Works, 2009; http://www.eesi.org/011509_transmission
- Occupational Safety and Health Standards, Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution, 1910.269, United States Department of Labor, 1910; http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=9868
- Regulations and its Review 2004-05, Production Commission Annual Report Series, Productivity Commission, 2005; http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/8562/reglnrev0405.pdf
- Electrical and Control Systems Corporate Group, Health and Safety Executive/Local Authorities Enforcement Liaison Committee (HELA), 2011; http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/19-3.htm
- Shaw Murray, An Electricity Surge – Two Cases on Electricity Act, 2010; http://www.biggartbaillie.co.uk/ideas–insights/all-articles/planning–construction/an-electricity-surge—two-cases-concerning-the-electricity-act
- Brooks Bill PE, Designing and Installing Code-Compliant PV Systems, Florida Solar Energy Center; http://www.scribd.com/doc/82121014/137/Electrical-Code-Compliance-Issues
- Electricity Act, 1996, South Australian Legislation
- Electricity (General) Regulation, 1997
- Electricity (National Scheme) Act, 1997
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