Page 1009 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 17 March 2010
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with further advice on whether the ACT government should consider any further response.
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Minister for Energy and Minister for Police and Emergency Services), by leave: Further to the incident that Mr Barr has just outlined, I rise to provide some further details in relation to activities by my portfolio.
At around 5.30 pm yesterday, Tuesday, 16 March, my office was informed by the Office of Regulatory Services that they were investigating an incident whereby an insulation inspector received an electric shock during inspection of insulation at a house in Scullin. I have since been briefed on the matter and I am advised that at approximately 1.25 pm on 8 March 2010 the Office of Regulatory Services, ORS WorkCover, received a report of a person electrocuted at a residence. ORS attended on the basis that a person had sustained a workplace injury.
At about 2.10 pm on the same day, that is 8 March 2010, an ORS inspector attended the premises. Also in attendance were officers from ActewAGL and the ACT Planning and Land Authority. I am advised that on arrival at the address the ORS inspector spoke with the homeowner, who described that the inspector had gone into the ceiling space and that a short time later he came down, he was stumbling, could not walk or talk properly and asked that an ambulance be called for him.
I am informed that ACTPLA has conducted an inspection of the house to determine the cause of the electric shock. I am informed that the employer of the injured worker has been engaged, on behalf of the Australian government, to undertake insulation safety inspections.
I am advised that, under the Australian government scheme, the home had had fibreglass batts installed—not foil insulation. I am informed that the person injured is a resident of New South Wales and has not yet been formally interviewed by the Office of Regulatory Services. It is expected that the injured person will be interviewed within the next week, subject to availability of the injured person.
I am informed that ACTPLA are still trying to determine the cause of the incident. Depending on the cause of the problem, the Office of Regulatory Services inspector may give direction to the worker, or contractor, to ensure that workers abide by safe systems of work. I expect to be provided with a further briefing on this matter by the Office of Regulatory Services, following them being able to interview the injured worker.
Climate Change, Environment and Water—Standing Committee
Statement by chair
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella) (3:25): I seek leave to make a statement regarding the extension of the reporting date of the inquiry by the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and Water into ACT greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, on behalf of the chair, Ms Hunter.
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