Who Is Responsible for Electrical Safety? (It’s Not Just the Electrician)

⚡ Who Is Responsible for Electrical Safety? (It’s Not Just the Electrician)

A Direct Message to Property Owners, Agents, and the Public

In today’s electrical industry, one truth must be made clear:

👉 Electrical safety is NOT only the electrician’s responsibility.
👉 YOU — the client, the agent, the manager, the developer — carry a legal and moral obligation too.

This message is for:

• Estate Agents
• Attorneys
• Homeowners
• Property Developers
• Rental & Property Managers
• Maintenance Teams
• Insurance Companies
• The General Public

If you are involved in property in any way — you are part of the safety chain.

⚖️ The Law Is Clear — Not Optional

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, it is clearly stated:

No person may do electrical installation work unless they are a Registered Person.

This is not a guideline.
This is LAW.

And yet… every day, unregistered individuals are allowed onto properties to perform electrical work — simply because no one asked the right questions.

🧾 What Makes an Electrician LEGAL?

There are TWO compulsory registrations that must be in place:

1️⃣ Wireman’s License (Personal Qualification)

This is the electrician’s personal registration. It proves competence and training.

There are three categories:

• Single Phase Tester (SPT)
• Installation Electrician (IE)
• Master Installation Electrician (MIE)

Without one of these —
❌ They are NOT allowed to work on your installation.

2️⃣ Electrical Contractor Registration (Business Registration)

This is equally important — and often overlooked.

✔️ Registered with the Department of Labour
✔️ Linked to a registered person
✔️ Has an expiry date (typically every 3 years)

👉 That means:

• A contractor can expire
• A previously “legal” electrician can become illegal overnight

🚨 YOUR Responsibility: Ask Before Work Starts

Before ANY electrical work begins on your property:

✔️ Ask for the Wireman’s License
✔️ Ask for the Contractor Registration
✔️ Check the validity date
✔️ Confirm the person on-site matches the registration

If you don’t —
👉 You are allowing illegal work on your property.

❌ The Biggest Red Flag in the Industry

Let’s expose a common (and dangerous) practice:

⚠️ Work is done by one person…
⚠️ Then another electrician is called to issue the COC…

This is ILLEGAL — on BOTH sides.

• The first person was not registered → should never have worked
• The second person signs a COC without General Control → commits fraud

Under SANS 10142-1:

The person issuing the Certificate of Compliance must have had General Control over the installation.

👉 No control = No legal right to sign.

⚠️ What Is “General Control”?

It means:

• The electrician supervised, guide and instruct the work
• The electrician takes full responsibility
• The electrician ensures compliance with regulations

Anything else is:
❌ Negligence
❌ Misrepresentation
❌ Potential criminal liability

💥 Why This Matters to YOU

If something goes wrong:

• 🔥 Fire
• ⚡ Electrocution
• 🏠 Property damage

Insurance companies will ask:

👉 “Was the work done by a registered contractor?”
👉 “Is the COC valid and compliant?”

If the answer is NO:

❌ Claims can be rejected
❌ Legal liability can fall on the owner or managing party

🧠 Industry Truth: You Control the Standard

The industry will ONLY improve when:

👉 Clients demand compliance
👉 Agents verify credentials
👉 Developers enforce standards
👉 Managers refuse shortcuts

If you allow illegal electricians — you are part of the problem.
If you demand compliance — you become part of the solution.

🛡️ A Safer Way Forward

This is exactly why platforms like NearbyElectrician exist.

✔️ Vetted electricians
✔️ Verified registrations
✔️ Compliance-focused professionals
✔️ Peace of mind for property stakeholders

🔚 Final Word

Electrical compliance is not paperwork.
It is life safety.

👉 Don’t ask for a COC after the job…
👉 Ask for proof before the job starts.

Because once something goes wrong —
it’s already too late.

⚡ TDMI Training

Empowering Electricians. Illuminating Futures.