Electrical Course 2015 Q&A
1) Why do examiners need to be trained and assessed on the new Safe Isolation Procedure?
The training is necessary because of the need to ensure examiners can apply the new Safe Isolation Procedure to keep themselves safe. The decision to go ahead with training and assessment followed the Scheme’s review of its ‘duty‐of‐care’ responsibilities to the Examiner community in relation to the risks that may be present when examining 230V ac systems on boats including shoreline cables.
Some examiners participated in the training programme five years ago and some have not yet. The training will help examiners identify the range of electrical components likely to be encountered and so will enable an increased consistency of BSS examination.
Equally importantly it will help keep examiners safe from the potential for electrocution because the course will provide an appropriate level of understanding of the risks associated with AC electrical systems on boats. In addition, the Safe Isolation Procedure will deliver an industry-recognised ‘Safe System of Work’’ that will enhance the competence and personal safety of BSS Examiners.
2) Do all examiners need to undergo the training and assessment?
In general yes all examiners need to undergo the training; only those Examiners who supported the pilot course in February and those new March and May 2015 examiner recruits, need not attend as they have already undertaken the training and assessment.
For those newly qualified examiners or those on the pilot course who would like to attend the course or specifically the afternoon seminar, then please contact me directly.
3) Why not just provide training, why an assessment as well?
Passing the Safe Isolation Procedure assessment provides the BSS and the Navigation Authorities, with a continued assurance that examiners have appropriate knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with AC and DC electrical systems and components too safely and effectively examine electrical installations on boats to BSS requirements.
4) What does the training and assessment involve?
All Examiners, apart from the latest 2015 recruits, will complete the new online Electrical Awareness E-learning course in advance of attending a training/assessment day at a regional location
The E-learning will cover basic electrical theory, health & safety and relevant legislation plus the primary electrical hazards on boats and an introduction to the new Safe Isolation Procedure.
Allow approximately 1½ hours for the online course and about 1 hour for the online assessment. If the pass mark is not achieved in two attempts then you will be contacted by the BSS Office to carry out a further part of the assessment process.
In the morning of the training event day the E-learning will be reinforced and training to the Safe Isolation Procedure provided.
In the afternoon examiners will individually undergo a practical and rig‐based assessment to the Safe Isolation Procedure to validate their understanding of it – each assessment is envisaged to take up to 15 minutes.
Also in the afternoon and whilst the assessments are going on, the BSS Manager will conduct a seminar event aimed at imparting important information about planned changes to the role of BSS examiners as well as one or two technical or IT matters.
5) I’m a qualified marine electrician, do I need to attend a course and do the E-learning?
Yes electrically qualified examiners still need to do the E-learning and undergo training and assessment at a regional event. This is necessary because of the introduction of the Safe Isolation Procedure and the need for BSS to be assured that all examiners have been assessed to it.
6) I went through the course and assessments recently, do I need to attend?
Examiners who supported the pilot course in February don’t need to attend and neither do the March and May 2015 examiner recruits, they have already undertaken the training and assessment.
7) What if an examiner doesn't pass the assessment by registration time in 2016?
Passing the assessment before the end of March 2016 is a condition of BSS Examiner re-registration next year. It is recognised however, that there may be circumstances that mean a small number of examiners have been unable to achieve this. The circumstances will be viewed on an individual basis, but in essence those few examiners concerned will have to be booked on to one of the additional wash-up courses in early 2016 to permit re-registration.
8) Who is providing the training and assessments?
The training and assessments are being delivered by consultants. The training material has been developed in conjunction with NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) and the delivery will be a combination of PowerPoint, practical demonstrations and opportunity for input from attendees.
NICIEC has developed the assessments to the Safe Isolation Procedure.
NICEIC is the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry. It has been assessing the electrical competence of electricians for nearly sixty years and currently maintains a roll of over 26,000 registered contractors - See more at: http://www.niceic.com/about-us
9) How many examiners can go on any one course?
A maximum of 18 examiners can attend a course. This allows two examiners to be assessed at the same time to the Safe Isolation Procedure in the afternoon session
10) Will passing the assessment give me a qualification to fit electrical equipment in boats?
No, assessment provides an assurance that examiners have appropriate knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with AC and DC electrical systems and components; to safely and effectively examine electrical installations on boats to BSS requirements.
11) Will I need to go on a refresher course in the future?
There are no plans for periodic assessment courses for examiners concerning electrical systems.
12) Will the training lead to safer boats?
Electrical fires, as a cause of accidental boat fires recorded by the BSS has remained in the top three of known causes for many years. The problem with the information we have is that there is not enough detail upon which to determine the precise causes, i.e. cables, fusing appliance circuitry, batteries, etc. It is hoped that increased consistency of BSS checks may help increase BSS understanding of how electrical fires are caused and may help reduce the proportion of electrical fires.
13) where are the venues and how do I book?
The venues, details and dates are here; or go straight to Booking List
14) Is there something not covered by any of the information published on this website?
Send an email to the BSS Office - BSS.Office@boatsafetyscheme.org