A batch of 50 persons commenced a National Electrical Code (NEC) training workshop today at the Regency Suites/Hotel, Georgetown and Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson charged them to set a benchmark at reducing electrical-related fires by 75%.
GINA said that the programme comes under the aegis of the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. (HECI) of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and is aimed at training 100 electrical personnel on the NEC.
The NEC is a set of criteria for construction, installation, repair, up-grade and other electrical works. The workshop will be held over two weeks.
GINA reported that Ferguson, at the opening ceremony, said that many examples can be cited and which pinpoint the unquantifiable losses due to fires of electrical origin.
“We cannot allow that state of play to continue…We have to standardise our approaches… We must adhere to the one code that governs us all. The NEC is structured in such a way that it gives the requisite guidance for all aspects of our operations, whether we are contractors, engineers, lecturers, or instructors. We must hold each other’s feet to the fire of compliance, to ensure that other people don’t get burnt,” Minister Ferguson explained.
She added that compliance to these standards are vital as without it, lives will be lost and properties destroyed.
“We can’t allow that… we are all in this together, to ensure that all critical elements of this code are meticulously adhered to… This is my charge to you… Let us set a Key Performance Indicator for the electricity sector that seeks to reduce electrically related fires by at least 75%. Let us strive to set up achievable service levels that evolve around it ensuring that all home and office installations be verified for compliance with the new code within the next year,” Ferguson urged.
