PEOPLE are being urged to ensure that they hire only licensed electrical contractors for their own safety and to avoid uncertified ones using substandard materials which are a major fire risk.
Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) senior meter engineer Ahmed Yusuf has asked people to invest in their safety and well-being and only use electrical contractors that are approved by the authority.
“You would never hire a driver that does not have a driving licence,” said Mr Yusuf.
“So why would you risk you and your family’s security by hiring unlicensed contractors?
“Not only do most unlicensed contractors have less experience and expertise, a good number of them are not even qualified for the work they are hired to do.
“Authorised and licensed contractors are reliable because they are trained and certified by the authority.”
Mr Yusuf stated that EWA inspectors are periodically investigating and monitoring contractors across the country and checking their work.
He also stated that authorised contractors call upon EWA inspectors in order to ensure the work, especially the wiring and electrical installation, are done properly.
This is to minimise the risk of shoddy work, which could endanger the lives of people living in the property.
“Unlicensed contractor use their own knowledge and experience instead of following EWA approved guidelines,” said Mr Yusuf.
“The work, as a result, may not have been done safely.
“They might have installed devices incorrectly, which in itself poses many dangers.
“The device may work, but improper installation leads to a potential risk of electric shock or a fire breaking out.
“One wrong use or even the smallest defect could put everybody in the house at risk, especially if the wiring was not done correctly, and the worst part is, you might only find out when it is too late.”
People who hire contractors, even licensed ones, are being urged to ensure that not only do contractors use special devices to check if everything is done correctly, but to also ensure EWA workers inspect the work when it is done just to be safe.
Mr Yusuf stated that licences of all contractors are periodically renewed, and that any changes are always followed up on by EWA.
He also stated that whenever people deal with contractors, the first thing they need to do is check for official licences and certification from the authority.
“The documents will have a special EWA stamp that you need to look for, that is how you can be sure they are certified.
“Also, check the certifications to see whether they are capable of doing the work that you need specifically, because different contractors may have different specialities.”
Citizens and residents can check the list of approved contractors by visiting www.ewa.bh. Users can go to Business, click on Suppliers/Contractors, choose the type of contractor they want, then see the list of certified establishments.
The list will include the contractor’s name, licence number, contact numbers and email address.
The GDN reported last month that EWA launched a safety campaign titled ‘Electric Safety is Your Safety’, aimed at minimising the number of electricity-related accidents at home, primarily due to misuse and negligence.
This came following a number of blazes due to faulty electric connections, such as the one in a residential building in Gudaibiya and one in a multi-storey building in Tubli in May.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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