Page 830 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
In November last year, the government became aware of a number of incidents in relation to insulation installations, including the deaths of four installers in other jurisdictions. My department has had no role in the registration of insulation installers under the commonwealth scheme but my department did actively engage with business, industry and the community to ensure that safety concerns about the installation of insulation were brought to light.
Following the increased risks identified with foil-type insulation last month, the government undertook to contact every household in the ACT that had foil-type insulation installed under the program. As I understand it, there are two, and we have offered inspections in relation to both of those homes. This was over and above the commonwealth government’s commitment to inspect residences which were at potential risk.
Acting on the front foot again, and with consumer and industry safety in mind, in November last year the Office of Regulatory Services, in conjunction with the Work Safety Commissioner, Mr McCabe, issued a media release in relation to the hazards associated with the installation of insulation. Installers were reminded of the duty to their employees to provide a safe workplace environment, to ensure that installers were properly trained and supervised, to take account of inherent dangers in undertaking the work and to protect their employees. The urgent warning drew the attention of insulation installers specifically to the hazards of extreme temperature and potential electric shock.
In line with other jurisdictions, the Office of Regulatory Services also issued a hazard alert specifically on safety issues when installing ceiling insulation. This was also issued in November last year. A media statement was released by the Office of Regulatory Services advising of this hazard alert. This hazard alert was sent to all insulation installers registered on the commonwealth government register and all industry bodies.
This alert was comprehensive and covered the range of possible dangers and potential safety issues that could arise in installation situations. It went so far as including a photograph of an example of the electrical hazard that appears to have caused death in other jurisdictions. It showed a staple piercing a piece of wire and highlighted the dangers of that practice. The alert was also provided to the Master Builders Association to ensure this important information was disseminated to industry. This information has been available on the ORS website since November last year.
But as early as February last year, before the commonwealth scheme commenced, there were warnings being issued by ACT government agencies.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR CORBELL: In early February last year, the ACT Planning and Land Authority issued a public warning to industry bodies reminding them of the dangers in relation to insulation.
Opposition members interjecting—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video