A little over a year ago, the C.S.L.B. (California State License Board) announced a new zero-tolerance enforcement policy that will initiate legal action against any C-10 (licensed Electricians) Electrical contractor who willfully employs even one uncertified electrician to perform work as an electrician. Electricians are defined as any person who engages in the connection of electrical devices for C-10 contractors. It is C.S.L.B.’s position that a certified electrician or an approved apprentice must perform electrical work. Non-certified workers may perform other work that may be under taken by a C-10 contractor in the performance of their jobs such as trenching, concrete, framing, and other types of work that does not involve connecting electrical devices. C.S.L.B. is legally required to open an investigation and initiate disciplinary action against the C-10 electrical contractor, which may include license suspension or revocation, within 60 days of receipt of a referral or complaint from the Division of Apprenticeship Standards (D.A.S.). Subsections within Labor Code Section 3099 clearly state that certification by D.A.S. is required for anyone who performs work as an electrician for C-10 Electrical contractors. D.A.S. is required by Labor Code Section 3099.2 to report violations to C.S.L.B.
Wow, that’s pretty serious stuff! But, I just don’t understand what the C.S.L.B. thinks it is really accomplishing. I ‘get it’ that they are trying to protect the general public against possible improper or substandard electrical practices performed by inexperienced electricians employed by a C-10 contractor, which are used because their wages are less than a certified electricians may be. However, any homeowner can perform electrical work on their home although they are supposed to get a Building Permit to do so, but most don’t. And, any General Contractor can still perform electrical work as long as it is one of at least three different types of work necessary to complete a project. I’m not sure that the C.S.L.B. has really accomplished much other than to just burden the C-10 Electrical contractors further.
As a Home Inspector, I see some incredibly scary wiring issues in some of the homes and structures that I am asked to inspect, which are probably performed by homeowners, but probably also by unlicensed handymen. Nothing the C.S.L.B. does will probably have any affect on this type of unsupervised activity. I’m certainly not one for more government intervention, but if providing safety for the general public through safe electrical wiring practices was C.S.L.B.’s intent, I think that they have missed the mark. I’m not sure what the proper course of action really ought to be, but I think that the C.S.L.B. and other involved entities need to go back to the ‘drawing board’ and come up with a better solution to the issue. Just my opinion, what’s yours?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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