5 Amp Fusewire purchased between 1 July 2011 and 31 Jan 2012 from B&Q, Wilkinson, Homebase, Makro, or Robert Dyas is undertstood to be defective.  Significant overheating could present a fire risk and a recall is in place.

Part P of the Building Regs is under review and open for public consultation from 31 Jan - 27 Apr 2012.  Proposed changes aim to reduce costs without undermining the safety benefits to electrical installations in the home.

RIDDOR Reporting is likely to be relaxed on 6 April 2012 if proposals go ahead to change the requirements from 'over 3-day' to 'over 7-day' events.  Incidents remain reportable if they lead to absence or the inability to do normal work.  Employers will have to keep their own records of 3-day incidents.

Fee for Intervention (FFI) is actively being considered by the HSE.  If adopted, Duty Holders in material breach of the law will pay for formal regulatory intervention requiring a letter, email, instant visit report, notice or prosecution.  At £124 per hour this would transfer costs from the taxpayer to the offender.

City and Guilds (C&G) have restructured some of their electrotech qualifications for 2012.  For example 2382-10 moves to 2382-12 incorporating BS7671:2008 Amendment No.1.  Also 2391-10 divides into 2394-01 (Initial Verification and Certification) and 2395-01 (Periodic Inspection, Testing and Certification).

Mobile Crushing Plant became the subject of a Safety Notice issued by the HSE on 2 Nov 2011.  An investigation into a fatal incident revealed that some mobile crushers can move inadvertantly if an electrical control cable is damaged.  Industries affected include quarries, mines, construction, waste and recycling.

Schneider Electric 11kV RMU Type RN2c came under investigation in Oct 2011 following a possible mechanical failure associated with a drive shaft.  This was subsequently extended to types RN6c and RE2c.  The problem appears to affect the ring switches only, within a known range of serial numbers.

IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition  BS7671:2008 incorporating Amendment No.1, 2011 was published on 1 July 2011 and came into effect on 1 Jan 2012.  It has a green cover.