THE NATIONAL Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) has renewed its warning to consumers and called on the Federal Government to act on the dangers associated with installing ceiling insulation.
The caution follows the recent death of an insulation installer who was electrocuted while working in a ceiling at Millaa Millaa.
NECA national chief executive officer James Tinslay says this is the fourth death nationwide associated with the Rudd Government’s Home Insulation Program.
“NECA has repeatedly tried to warn the Government of the dangers of installing insulation near power cables,” Tinslay said.
“The recent Federal Government stimulus package measures have inadvertently exacerbated these problems and the lack of enforceable inspection safety measures have placed insulation installers, home owners and occupiers in serious danger.”
NECA says it has worked with the Federal Government to raise the nationally recognised training standards to include risk assessment of the electrical dangers.
“However, the industry considers training initiatives in themselves are not sufficient to meet all the safety issues that have come to light. NECA recommends that all installation of insulation in roof cavities involve a compulsory pre-installation inspection by a registered electrical contractor and a follow-up inspection at the completion of installation.
“This inspection would then need to be signed by the consumer and installer and filed with the appropriate State or Territory authority. The federal department operating the scheme could then undertake random risk assessment audits to ensure the process is addressing the identified problems.”
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