On the 16th November 2022, the Electrical Safety Roundtable (ESR) hosted a Parliamentary Reception to shine spotlight on ‘Enhancing the Standards of Electrical Safety in the UK’ and to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The reception brought together a multitude of stakeholders from across the industry and political sphere and provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made to enhance electrical safety standards.

Guests heard from the passionate Lord Foster of Bath who provided an overview of his Domestic Premises (Electrical Safety Certificate) Bill and influential electrical safety campaigner Louise Adamson, who captivated the room with her heart-wrenching, powerful and moving speech, urging the industry to act to prevent fatalities resulting from unsafe electrical installations and unsafe working practices.

Sponsored by Mark Fletcher MP, the event provided an opportunity to reflect on the contribution to enhancing electrical safety standards made by the Roundtable over the past 10 years and to highlight their recent initiatives, such as the newly launched, Electrical Safety Roundtable Above and Beyond Awards, created to showcase best practice to inspire change. 

Commenting on the reception, Chairman of the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, Frank Bertie said: It was a pleasure to sponsor this event, and fantastic to see so many influential industry stakeholders gathered together, united by the desire to enhance electrical safety standards. As we heard today, electricity has the potential to drastically change lives, and we will continue with our mission to enhance standards and enact positive change.’ 

Simon Wood, Industry Director for Installations at Megger said: “Megger have been proud members and supporters of the ESR from the start as, for the first time, it provided a platform allowing all stakeholders within our industry the opportunity to work to a common agenda - electrical safety.”

Carl Traynor, Regional Specification Manager at AICO commented: “Aico were delighted to be a sponsor of ESR’s Parliamentary Reception, with the opportunity to celebrate the organisation’s 10-year anniversary, as well as the research, policy solutions and guidance they have provided for the electrical industry over the last decade to improve electrical safety. As a business, Aico has made a commitment to share best practice and create safer homes, so to be able to support other organisations with the same agenda is extremely important to us.” 

Comments from the Reception’s silver sponsors highlighted the value of the Electrical Safety Roundtable as a collaborative industry stakeholder forum.

Gary McEvoy, Senior Auditor at phs Compliance said: “In terms of the work we perform here, compliance is our primary objective. The points raised by some of the speakers today are very, very important. I consider it very beneficial that everyone is in one place together, not only from a commercial perspective, but we have heard witness accounts of real safety issues across the board today. In my opinion, this event is of great importance and value to everyone interested in electrical safety.” 

Deborah Graham Wilson, Head of Communications & Environmental, Social and Governance at Eland Cables reflected: “The ESR is a dedicated group of people who come together to share their knowledge and experience to help make our industry safer. We at Eland Cables are delighted to support the ESR at this Parliamentary Reception as well as to support the work they are doing to enhance and uphold standards within the industry. I believe it demonstrates why commitment, quality, compliance, and sustainability are so imperative" 

Andy Durber, Director at Blue Flame Certification noted: “Supporting the Electrical Safety Roundtable is essential to achieving and enhancing electrical safety at home, which is why Blue Flame Certification supported this event and is pleased to be present. I hope that such events continue to raise awareness of the importance of electrical safety. In my opinion, all the activities that ESR has undertaken to raise awareness amongst the public and within industry have been exemplary.” 

Rachel Cox, Director of Property Repairs at believe housing commented: “The ESR Parliamentary Reception offers a unique opportunity to bring together like-minded individuals to discuss electrical issues, particularly in social housing. At believe housing, we actively contributed to the development of both the original Code of Practice and its revised version. We believe that raising awareness and introducing enhanced standards would be beneficial to the industry. The reason we are backing this event today is because electrical safety, like other areas of compliance within building safety, is high on our agenda." 

The reception was kindly sponsored by Megger, NAPIT Trade Association, Aico, believe housing, Eland Cables, Blue Flame Certification, phs Compliance, Kewtech, c2c and IASME consortium. 

Find out more about the Electrical Safety Roundtable Above and Beyond Awards HERE 

Find out more about the Parliamentary Reception HERE