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Author Topic: Plumbing Job Question  (Read 3855 times)

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Offline diane2jsmith55

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Plumbing Job Question
« on: January 28, 2011, 08:40:11 AM »
I just got hired by a small plumbing company But I'm not even a registered apprentice yet they have me doing small stuff like installing sinks fixing toliets taking apart ptraps they send me out alone do you need a licence for doing stuff like this even though im not alterating the plumbing system. I just dont want to get in trouble by the "plumbing police" thanks

Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/ask-plumbers-trade/43/plumbing-job-question/573/

Offline Jaxcat

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Re: Plumbing Job Question
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2011, 05:43:59 PM »
Yes, yes, yes you do.  Firstly if you are not a signed up apprentice then you need to apply for an exemption to work in plumbing - if a signed up apprentice then part of the signing up involves getting  a trainee licence. 

As an exemption holder you must work under THE DIRECT SUPERVISION (which is IN THE EYESIGHT, AND EARSHOT of a certifying plumber) for TWO YEARS, then you can work under the DIRECTION of a certifying plumber.  The certifier must do all testing.

As a trainee for the FIRST year you must work under THE DIRECT SUPERVISION of a certifying plumber.

Do not put yourself at risk.  In the end it is not your employer who will go down the gurgler over this - it is you as an individual who is responsible.  You should not be working on your own at this stage at all.  Visit www.pgdb.co.nz to view the rules around supervision.  There are brochures that are available.

It is always a hard one because you are probably wanting an apprenticeship and do not want to rock the boat, but if you stuff up and the person puts in a complaint to the PGDB they could prosecute you through the district court.  You would not be charged through their disciplinary system because you are unlicensed.

An exemption license is $100.00 and needs to be signed off by your supervisor.  You will probably need to pay the licence yourself.  You should not be on a training wage unless you are a signed up apprentice, therefore you should not be paid less than the minimum wage.
Have you learned lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you?  Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed the passage with you?  (Walt Whitman 1819-1891)  American Poet

Offline Jaxcat

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Re: Plumbing Job Question
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2011, 05:47:10 PM »
Lastly make sure you have an employment contract.  It is illegal for your employer not to give you an employment contract.  See www.dol.govt.nz for information about this.

Lastly the only time in this industry you wouldn't need either a licence or exemption was if you were a labourer and just doing stuff like digging holes or carrying stuff to and from.  As soon as you touch sanitary fittings/pipework etc then you need to be licenced or have the appropriate exemption.  As an exemption holder you do not need to pay the disciplinary levy.

Hope this helps - it may be that your employer is simply ignorant (and I don't mean that it a derogatory sense) of the current legislation and requirements.  You may be able to print off or get the brochure from the PGDB and give them a copy.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.


Offline Jaxcat

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Re: Plumbing Job Question
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2011, 05:49:02 PM »
Experts
Each of our tradesmen is a certified and qualified expert in their field

Excerpt from Blue Cross Plumbers website (as at the bottom of your sign off) - hmmm if you work for them they might also be breaching the Fair Trading Act if they are representing you as a certified and qualified expert in your field....

Offline chilly

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Re: Plumbing Job Question
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2011, 08:43:43 PM »
Hi Jaxcat my question to this would be why is the individual prosecuted why not the employer after all he is the craftsman and he is the one apparently who knows all the rules and should know better not the individual just trying to earn a wage . The craftsman instantly knows what the situation is , or is this another grey area where the craftsman can make some quick money at someone elses expense and not have any comebacks regards chilly

Offline Jaxcat

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Re: Plumbing Job Question
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2011, 07:45:53 AM »
Hi Chilly - actually they can prosecute employers, but usually the easiest and most clean cut prosecution is the person who actually did the work without a licence.   Everyone with a licence needs to educate those without licences of the legal requirements.  The more we ignore those who do not have  a licence, the more we water down these trades.  It is a regulated industry - and many have fought hard to keep it so - therefore there needs to be a licence or exemption in place to work in it.  I am appalled by some employers who exploit these young people in the trade and do not tell them about their obligations.


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