Media Release

December 7, 2009

Silverline champions national safety program

Silverline Insulation has taken part in developing a national program designed to minimise any risk associated with working near electrical fittings in roofs.

Silverline has been installing foil insulation safely for over 20 years, and has endorsed the comprehensive set of safety procedures developed by the Aluminium Foil Insulation Association (AFIA) to help installers understand how to achieve a safe work environment, and to ensure home owners are not placed at any risk.

Peter Venn spokesperson for Silverline said the new guidelines had been developed by Professor Alex Baitch, one of Australia's leading authorities on electrical safety, and had been endorsed by Master Electricians Australia.

Mr Venn said Silverline believed the AFIA safety guidelines would ensure a safe working environment for insulation installers, and a high quality service for home owners.

"We are very proud of our product and service and we are pleased to be taking part in this national initiative to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality" he said.

AFIA Vice-President Michel Bostrom said the new guidelines went further than the recent federal changes to the insulation scheme.

"The explosion in demand for insulation products caused by the federal Government rebate has obviously brought a high number of new workers into the industry. Indeed, that is what the scheme was intended to do."

"However, this has created an environment where young and inexperienced workers have been sent into roof spaces, often with little or no understanding of the associated dangers".

"AFIA has recognised this information gap and has moved to put these safety procedures in place to protect workers and residents. We have taken the lead on this issue but these procedures are common sense for installers of all types of insulation, and indeed any person working in a roof space."

The AFIA procedures include:

1. A worksite hazard management checklist that installers must complete prior to beginning work in a home.
   
   
2. A range of general electrical safety procedures, particularly relating to roof spaces.
   
   
3. Advice for working in proximity to cables.
   
   
4. Specific instructions for dealing with halogen downlights and ceiling fans, and
   
   
5. Information about appropriate tools eg. non metallic fasteners

Mr Bostrom said while no work environment could ever be guaranteed 100 per cent safe, the new AFIA guidelines would minimise as far as possible any risks associated with working in ceilings.

He thanked Master Electricians Australia for its feedback and support while the safety guidelines were being developed.

"Master Electricians Australia has taken the lead role in identifying the problems caused by the sudden influx of new workers to the insulation industry. AFIA is grateful that they have now followed through and contributed their technical knowledge to creating the solution".

Master Electricians Australia CEO Malcolm Richards welcomed the new procedures, saying they would offer the greatest possible protection to installers.

"We welcome any move to ensure workers lives are not put at risk, and we applaud AFIA for taking the initiative in this area".

To ensure your insulation has been installed safely, ensure your installer is a member of AFIA.

For more information contact Silverline on 3823 2013 or freecall 1800 637 363