WA Guidelines on the Application of the Health (Public Buildings) Regulations 1992

Basicly to try & clarify the Licence situation a wee bit. There is a Nation Licence system of 'Restricted' & 'Limited' Lincenses, which came into being quite a few years ago. Primarily it came about because of the need of other electricly dependant trades. Such as Refrigeration, Plumbing & even Painters. Because most were engaged in disconting, repairs & isolating electrical appliance, be they Single or Multi Phase equipment. This is now a National requirement, which a rarety in it's self! Where each State agreed to follow one system. However each state still retains it's own seperate system of licening qualified electricains, who have completed an Indentureship & passed relevent examinations. As an Electrical 'Fitter. Mechanic [Installer]. Motor Winder, instument Fitter & so on. Inclusive of other Endorsement like 'Cat 5' ect. Needless to say from my experiance, which may or not be the case today? A fully Qualified & Licenced Electricain, wishing to work in another State. Has to apply to the electrical Authority licencing Workers board for either a tempory Permit or go thru an endorsement proceedure. It used to be that in Queensland & West Australia, they were required to pass an Examination test. While some of the other States, it was only a question of completing a form, with validation of previous qualifications & Licence details. As I say this may have changed some what, as it is a long time since I needed to go thru this process in other states. But as usual transfering from State to State authorities, always attracts of couse crossing thier palms with Brass, gold or Silver [& you don't even get your fortune told?]. In WA licenced electricain have to pay an annual renewal fee, to keep thier licence valid. [if for what ever reson the renewal lapses for a period of 5 years - The electricain has to complete a training course at a reconised training provider & pass an examination - which I believe is not the case in some other states. [To me this is rather pathetic, as it is not a question of safe working, but one of revenue. I know a number of electricains who keep paying thier annial licence fee each year. Yet have not worked in the electrical industry for some thirty odd years or so & have no idea about changes over that period. But are still validated to work as a licenced electrician. However this might change, because of a lack of licenced electricains through out the state at present- But that's all another story &/or novel!] Back on topic as Don mentioned it is primarly within the scope of the 'Responsible' party [Theatre Commitee], to adopt the policy & rules governing the proceedure, in complance with the Act, as to the 'Risk Assesment' of the venue &/or equipment in thier control. This is normal with all aspects of the performing arts & other endeavours - so long as it is agreed to & noted in the Groups Minutes, as proof of this determination. Which is the norm with other Commercial or Industrail situations, who utalise a "safety Commitee' as descibed under 'Worksafe', which becomes the prescibed method of operations. [ In conjunction wuth other Legislative & Gazetted Acts]. So while the period is half yearly, it made be determined because of logistics & useage of type of equipment, for the period to be extended or shortend - So long as it hapens on a regulated basis!] I believe the intent of the legislation is to be used as guidelines, in safety determinations & assesment. Without knitting a sweater & scarf from the red tape? Unfortunatly I'm old enough to remember the 60's, arriving in WA & gaining my 'Plug & Cord' Licence. For the princly sum of 5 shillings, after paying a Half a crown for a colour bind eye test. In those days each Public Performance venue was charged 1 shilling/year for a performace premises fee & also even push bikes each attracted a licence plate fee of 2 shillings. But this was long before me getting a C, B & A grade Lincence [+ Cat 5 endorsement latter on. However in those times thier was a myriad of electrical licences, for such things as Projectionists & other electric orientated trades & endeavours. {These were all collected & cleaned up under the National Restricted & limited licence system [Except for the Push Bike registration fee - which became extinct Thank gawd!} In fact even though we now have a National R & L licence system, there are still a lot of theatre & enterttaiment techies, who won't have a bar of it. Angrily stating that as "I have been doing this for sum 35 years, why do I need to bother, as no one is going to teach me any more, than I know now - so stick your licences!". Me thinks some how they have missed or got on the wrong bus on this one! In all respects as has previous suggested, these are the techies that need an orientation workshop on safe preceedures - even if it just helps them with catching the right bus in future. I for one I will volunteer to assist & help in anyway, for this to come about. I hope this waffle might help clean the windows a wee bit?

TOI TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.