Safety observers for electrical work (Qld DoJ and AG)

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The requirements for assessing the competence of electrical work safety observers to rescue and resuscitate a person changed on 1 January 2014.

The person acting as a safety observer for electrical work must be competent to implement control measures in an emergency and be competent to rescue and resuscitate the worker who is carrying out the electrical work. As well, they must have been assessed as competent to rescue and resuscitate a person in the past year (previously six months). This also means that if a person undertakes rescue and resuscitation training and is assessed as competent, they can act as a safety observer for one year without further assessment of their competence.

via Safety observers for electrical work – Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

Solar PV systems leakage a danger at heights – Department of Justice and Attorney-General

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There have been several recent incidents of electric shocks through contact with the metallic panels and frames of some solar PV systems due to electrical leakage. These incidents have also had the potential to cause a fall from height if the roof itself is conductive.

The leakage, caused by the capacitance (ability to store an electrical charge) between the solar panels and dirt and water on the panels or the roof, generally increases when the solar panels are wet.

In some situations the leakage may cause an electrical potential (voltage) on the solar PV frames, the array mounting frames and any conductive materials (e.g. metallic roofing material). While these voltages may not produce a fatal electric shock, in higher risk environments such as working at heights, the reaction to a mild shock may increase the risk of a fall.

via Solar PV systems leakage a danger at heights – Department of Justice and Attorney-General.

Baby bath aids – Product safety bulletin

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This bulletin covers the mandatory product safety standard for baby bath aids and the need to properly label these products.

In Australia, between 1997 and 2005, six infants under 13 months drowned while in a baby bath aid.

According to the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, children under two years of age are most vulnerable to drowning or near drowning in the bath. The incidents almost always occur when the competent adult supervising the child leaves the child unattended—even if it is for less than a minute. Children can drown within seconds in very little water.

The mandatory standard aims to protect children from the possibility of drowning by providing a permanent warning alerting the parent or caregiver that a baby should never be left alone in the bath or left in the care of another child.
Baby bath aids – Product safety bulletin.

EESS equipment registration (Australia) transitional arrangements update

Posted on by Paul

Extracts from an email and notice received from the ERAC Secretariat, dated 28 February 2014, republished with permission:

IMPORTANT NOTICE ON EESS REGISTRATION

  • Queensland introduced the EESS on 1 March 2013 with a transition phase extending to 28 February 2014. Due to the ongoing transition in other jurisdictions the EESS requirements after 1 March 2014 are:
  • If a Responsible Supplier has taken all reasonable actions for registration they will be considered as having met the requirements for registration as far as can be expected (This is due to some Certificates not yet being available on the national database).
  • Private certifiers can now upload their certificates to the EESS database. Regulators will continue to work through options to have NSW Fair Trading certificates details added to the national certification database.
  • To assist Responsible Suppliers, any level 3 equipment that is currently registered, or registered after 1 March 2014, will not require renewal of registration until further notice (the original equipment registration expiry date on the database will not trigger a requirement to renew).

See the PDF document in the link below for all the details and the fine print…

1 march 2014 EESS transitional final

It is understood that these transitional arrangements will be periodically reviewed. Further details should be placed on the official EESS web site later this week.

DISCLAIMER: As usual, this information is provided in good faith and is subject to interpretation and individual circumstances. No liability of any kind will be accepted arising from the provision or application of this information. Suppliers are expected to make their own independent legal and professional enquiries regarding their own business arrangements.

IBM News room – 2014-01-23 Lenovo Plans to Acquire IBM’s x86 Server Business – United States

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IBM News room – 2014-01-23 Lenovo Plans to Acquire IBM’s x86 Server Business – United States.

Lenovo and IBM have entered into a definitive agreement in which Lenovo plans to acquire IBM’s x86 server business. This includes System x, BladeCenter and Flex System blade servers and switches, x86-based Flex integrated systems, NeXtScale and iDataPlex servers and associated software, blade networking and maintenance operations. The purchase price is approximately US$2.3 billion, approximately two billion of which will be paid in cash and the balance in Lenovo stock.

IBM will retain its System z mainframes, Power Systems, Storage Systems, Power-based Flex servers, and PureApplication and PureData appliances.

The agreement builds upon a longstanding collaboration that began in 2005 when Lenovo acquired IBM’s PC business, which included the ThinkPad line of PCs. In the period since the companies have continued to collaborate in many areas.

IBM will continue to develop and evolve its Windows and Linux software portfolio for the x86 platform.  IBM is a leading developer of software products for x86 servers with thousands of products and tens of thousands of software developer and services professionals who build software for x86 systems.

Inert Gas Data Center Fire Protection and Hard Disk Drive Damage – The Data Center Journal

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Roughly around 2007, reports started to surface saying that hard disk drives HDDs were damaged during gas discharges from IGFSSs (inert gas fire suppression systems). Since then there has been significant speculation and misinformation as to what the cause of failure is…

via Inert Gas Data Center Fire Protection and Hard Disk Drive Damage – The Data Center Journal.

Man trapped naked in washing machine … olive oil rescue

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A Victorian man who became wedged naked in his washing machine during a prank says his freeing by rescue workers with the use of olive oil was “like a birthing”.

via Man who became trapped naked in washing machine says olive oil rescue was ‘like a birth’ – ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Low-cost, high-energy batteries powered by rhubarb

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Flow batteries, a type of rechargeable fuel cell using chemical compounds dissolved in liquids, have seen some of the biggest advances …

The (new) research holds the promise of sharply reduced costs, with … the family of molecules used – known as quinones – were sourced from crude oil, the material could as easily have been sourced from rhubarb or most other green plants, Professor Aziz said.

Unlike lithium, for instance, there is little chance the batteries will ignite. “Our molecules are deliberately dissolved in water, so they don’t catch fire,” he said.

The work, funded by the US government, is likely to result in a three-year extension to develop a commercial technology. The aim is to produce a battery capable of storing 24 kilowatt-hours of energy – the equivalent output of a typical roof-top solar photovoltaic array over 8 hours – before scaling up to much larger units.

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/new-lowcost-highenergy-batteries-could-be-powered-by-rhubarb-plants-20140109-30iok.html

Australia: STATE OF THE ENERGY MARKET 2013 (pdf document)

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From the Preface:

The Australian Energy Regulator’s seventh State of the energy market report comes at a time of changing dynamics in the energy industry. Declining electricity demand has led to surplus generation capacity in most regions and has delayed the need to invest in electricity networks. Additionally, greater stability in global financial markets has eased finance costs for energy businesses. In 2013, these developments translated into more stable retail electricity prices in most jurisdictions.

Reforms to the energy rules announced in November 2012 aim to deliver future decisions on network revenues and investment that are in the long term interests of consumers. In 2013 the AER published guidelines under the Better Regulation program on implementing the rules. The guidelines will apply first to regulatory determinations taking effect in 2015.

In retail, the transition to national regulation is continuing,with New South Wales on 1 July 2013 becoming the fourth jurisdiction following South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT to implement the National Energy Retail Law. Consumers in those jurisdictions now enjoy access to the AER’s price comparator, http://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au.

Dynamics in the eastern gas market differ from those in electricity. While domestic demand has weakened, international demand for liquefied natural gas LNG exports from Queensland scheduled to commence in 2014–15 is exerting pressure on gas prices. Policy makers are introducing reforms to help alleviate pressures in the eastern gas market.

This edition of State of the energy market explores conditions in energy markets over the past 12–18 months in those jurisdictions in which the AER has regulatory responsibilities. The report consists of a market overview, supported by five chapters on the electricity and gas sectors. As usual, it employs accessible language to reach a wide audience. I hope this year’s report is a valuable resource for policy makers, consumers, industry and the media.

Andrew Reeves

Chairman

December 2013

via 746_SOEM_Chapters_Singles_3.pdf.

(Australia) Minister warns against dodgy energy saving devices

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Minister for Fair Trading Stuart Ayres and NSW Energy & Water Ombudsman (EWON) Clare Petre today issued a joint warning to all consumers to be on the look-out for cold callers and online traders claiming to sell energy saving devices for domestic use.

Mr Ayres said NSW Fair Trading had investigated a number of consumer complaints about the devices, which can cost up to $2,000 each.

“We have proved under stringent testing conditions that these devices are a complete con,” he said.

To watch a video of the power saving devices being tested, go to Fair Trading’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky1MotsVLGU

via Minister warns against dodgy energy saving devices.

Recalls: NetComm Wireless Limited—NetComm Model NP504 500Mbps Powerline Adapter With AC Pass-through

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What are the defects?

The internal connection to the earth pin prong is deformed in some products of the affected batch, making them susceptible to not providing an earth connection.

What are the hazards?

In some circumstances, the fault could result in an electric shock.

via NetComm Wireless Limited—NetComm Model NP504 500Mbps Powerline Adapter With AC Pass-through.

PSA Parts Pty Ltd—Two Power Replacement Li-Ion Laptop Battery Pack (Australia recall notice)

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PSA Parts Pty Ltd—Two Power Replacement Li-Ion Laptop Battery Pack.

Product description

Two models of replacement Li-Ion laptop battery pack to suit various Toshiba and Hewlett Packard laptops.

What are the defects?

There is a risk that a capacitor inside the battery can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Traders who sold this product

Sold nationally through computer and specialist battery stores. In addition, the batteries were sold online through various websites.

Australia Post—Travel Power Adaptor

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What are the defects?

Safety testing is not available for this specific adaptor with multiple plugs; therefore this product is not compliant with the Australian Safety Standards

via Australia Post—Travel Power Adaptor.

Recalls survey for suppliers (Australia)

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We are seeking the views of suppliers – in any part of the supply chain, including importing and retailing – who have recalled goods. Your views will help us review and make any necessary improvements to ACCC Recalls publications and the online recall notification and reporting tools for suppliers.

via Recalls survey for suppliers.