Unqualified electricians continue to pose a risk: SELECT

As many as 13% of fires in the home could be attributed to poor electrical work, according to Alan Wilson

Untrained sparks in Scotland are a significant threat to public safety, SELECT Managing Director Alan Wilson has warned in a new construction podcast.

The association’s MD voiced his concerns in an episode of Hard Hat Talks, during which he also reinforced the urgent need for the regulation of the electrical sector in the country.

Speaking to architect Kenneth Martin, Alan stated that as many as 13% of fires in the home could be attributed to poor electrical work, although obtaining accurate statistics proved difficult.

And he highlighted that although professions like doctors, nurses and even farriers and door staff were tightly regulated, there is no such requirement for electricians – meaning anyone can set themselves up as an apparent expert, risking public safety.

Alan said: “These kinds of people tend to be the kind who will turn up at your house in a van that says ‘Plumber, electrician, decorator, joiner, roofer’ on the side – and then one person gets out. That's who they tend to be. 

“What they tend to do is small-scale electrical work, where they'll maybe connect bits of wiring. If they're doing kitchen work, they'll likely connect up lights or cookers.

“But, as we all know, things move on, and electrical installation is becoming ever more complex. The Wiring Regulations, which outline the requirements for electricians, are currently being updated, with the latest version scheduled for release next year. 

“So, every year that goes by, working practices change. Therefore, if the person may have had some knowledge back in, say, the year 2000, then 25 years later, the landscape is completely different.”

Alan said that SELECT was continuing its push for regulation and that, while it had been successful in garnering cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament, it was now trying to embed the promise of regulation into party manifestos ahead of next year’s elections.