Every person installing insulation under the government's Home Insulation Program will soon be required to meet boosted training or minimum skill requirements, Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced.
Following a recent ban on the use of metal staples for foil insulation and a mandatory requirement that down-light covers be installed, the changes announced on 1 November and commencing 1 December will further boost program safety and put greater scrutiny on insulation installers registered under the program.
The program will include:
- a requirement that a formal risk assessment be completed for every job to identify hazards including electrical or other risks
- a requirement that households in metropolitan areas get two genuinely independent quotes and
- the publication of a name and shame register of deregistered installers
Revised training materials developed in consultation with industry skills councils to improve coverage of electrical and other safety risks will also be released.
Garrett says "We have made clear from the beginning that health and safety is paramount. From the outset we have required that every person involved in the installation of insulation has Occupational Health and Safety training and meets minimal competency requirements or be supervised by someone who does."
"With revised terms and conditions allowing naming and shaming of deregistered installers, the industry is well and truly on notice - break the rules and you can expect swift, decisive and public action aside from any potential legal consequences you may face."
