Electrical safety issue tops the agenda as campaigning trade body SELECT prepares to hit the road across Scotland for its 2024 Toolbox Talks tour

Electrical professionals across Scotland will receive an update on a potential safety issue at this year’s Toolbox Talks, the practical and popular events run by SELECT, the country’s largest construction trade body.

Neutral current diversion (NCD) will be one of the key topics discussed at this year’s roadshows, which kick off next week and will tour 12 venues across Scotland, delivering a wealth of FREE technical advice to contractors far and wide

The issue of NCD has been flagged as a hot topic across the electrical industry in recent months and SELECT has been at the forefront of helping to raise awareness and educate the sector to  counter uncertainty and confusion.

Bob Cairney, Director of Technical Services at SELECT, said: “We’re looking forward to another well-attended Toolbox Talks roadshow in 2024 and the main subject this year could not be more relevant as we progress towards the electrification of society.

“NCD can be an issue for electrical contractors and constitutes an unknown risk that has huge safety implications, so we are keen to equip Members with the necessary knowledge to identify and deal with it where necessary.”

NCD occurs when protective measures fail and current is diverted via exposed metal fixings such as gas, water and oil pipes. Identified as a particular issue in multiple occupancy buildings, this can lead to a build-up of heat and could result in fire or explosion.

In response to the issue, SELECT produced a suite of practical resources for members, apprentices and trainees earlier this year, including posters for workshops and training centres, a digital flowchart and a pocket-sized foldout designed to be kept in toolboxes.

The material was distributed after close collaboration with experts from a range of industry bodies, including the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) and the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT).  

Bob added: “The upcoming roadshows will build on the success of our NCD resources, which have been extremely well received by members and serve as another demonstration of our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of both electrical contractors and consumers.

“Although NCD can be hard to detect, it can be tested for and correctly diagnosed, and we will continue to speak to Scotland’s electrical professionals and distribution network operators to ensure we have the latest information to share with our members.”

Additions and alterations will also be on the agenda at the Toolbox Talks, with SELECT’s Technical Advisers discussing the checks, tests and notifications needed before, during and after such work to comply with industry regulations.

Members will also have the chance to ask questions and discuss other matters face-to-face with the SELECT team, with each event also featuring exhibitors from a range of leading manufacturers and service providers who are now SELECT Associate Members.

The Tour kicks off on Wednesday 1 May at SELECT’s HQ in The Walled Garden outside Edinburgh, followed by:

• Thursday 2 May – Macdonald Cardrona Hotel, Peebles
• Wednesday 8 May – Apex City Quay Hotel and Spa, Dundee
• Tuesday 14 May – Fenwick Hotel, Ayrshire
• Wednesday 15 May – Easterbrook Hall, Dumfries and Galloway
• Wednesday 22 May – Corran Halls, Oban
• Thursday 23 May – Hampden Park, Glasgow
• Wednesday 29 May – Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
• Thursday 30 May – Leonardo Hotel, Inverness
• Tuesday 11 June – Shetland Arts Centre, Shetland
• Tuesday 18 June – Pickaquoy Centre, Orkney
• Wednesday 26 June – The Machrie, Islay

Members can book their places at this year’s events here, with guests also welcome to attend.