Electrical Safety Authority
The Electrical Safety Authority is Ontario’s electrical safety regulator. Our job is to help enhance electrical safety for the people of Ontario, with the goal of creating an Ontario where people can live, work and play safe from electrical harm.
What is a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC)?
In Ontario, any business that offers or performs electrical work must be licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority. The Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) employs qualified electricians and a designated master electrician, and must abide by the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, and other applicable laws.
A lot of people are sometimes tempted to take on their own electrical work, but it’s important to hire a Licensed Electrical Contracting (LEC) Business to do the work because a bad job can lead to deadly shocks or electrical fires —and you don’t want to be putting your life and your loved ones at risk.
In Ontario, if you are hiring someone for your electrical work, it’s actually the law to hire a Licensed Electrical Contracting (LEC) Business. There are a number of things you should always watch out for when hiring a LEC, like making sure they have a 7-digit ECRA/ESA number on all their paperwork, trucks, and business cards. It is also important to remember that if a LEC does the work, they will have to also file for a notification of work (permit) with the Electrical Safety Authority ESA, if they ask you to do it that is a big red flag.
If you live in Ontario and are looking to find a Licensed Electrical Contracting Business in your area head to:
“Why we love the people at Electrical Safety Authority is because it’s their job is to help enhance electrical safety for the people of Ontario. Their ultimate goal is to ensure Ontarians can live, work and play safe from electrical harm and that’s Making It Right!”
– THE HOLMES’
CONTRACTORS / TV PERSONALITIES
Mike Holmes
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR / TV HOST
Mike Holmes Jr
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR / TV HOST
Sherry Holmes
CONTRACTOR, PART-TIME DESIGNER & WEEKEND DIYER
Electrical Safety Authority Product Photos
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Electrical Safety Authority Official Website
For more information on Electrical Safety Authority please visit: www.ESAsafe.com and check us on these social media channels
BLOGS
Electrical Considerations When Renovating (The Process)
Your Home Renovation Team – Who to Hire and When?
Avoid Unlicensed Electrical Contractors
How do you spot an unlicensed LEC?
Working with a Licensed Electrical Contractor helps protect you and your family from electrical hazards or costly mistakes. Here are some ways to spot an unlicensed electrician:
- They ask you to take out the notification with the Electrical Safety Authority.
- They don’t have an ECRA/ESA licence number on their work vehicle or estimate.
- You can’t find the company’s name in the Find a Licensed Electrical Contractor Near You tool on the ESA website.
- They do more than just electrical work including drywall, flooring, plumbing, snow removal, eavestrough cleaning, and other home maintenance and improvement work.
- They offer a discount if you pay cash, accept only cash and/or won’t provide a receipt.
Electricity is a crucial aspect of any home, without it, our homes simply wouldn’t function. However, we don’t often pay too much attention to it, thinking that if everything is working then our home’s electrical system must be in good shape and operating properly. That is not the case! Just like anything in our home we must take the right steps to make sure our electrical is done right and meets our needs, especially if buying a new property or renovating.
In this podcast episode, Mike Holmes speaks with special guest and long-time friend Frank Cozzolino, Licensed Electrical Contractor as they discuss the basics of electrical safety, who you should hire for your electrical work, and what you need to know to protect yourself and your family from a possible fire hazard. They also talk about what to watch out for when buying a house, especially an old property, and why an electrical inspection is important —you’ll leave this episode with the proper knowledge to own it right and protect it right.