Electrical safety and ceiling insulation
When properly installed, insulation is a low cost, safe and beneficial material that reduces green house gas emissions, and lowers heating and cooling bills.
The Electrical Safety Office advises however that there are two significant electrical safety concerns relating to the installation of building insulation materials. These are the risk of accidentally contacting live electrical parts while installing insulation and the risk of fire resulting from insulation materials being too close to, or covering electrical equipment.
From Sunday 1 November 2009, all Queensland insulation installers, whether or not operating under the Australian Government’s Home Insulation Scheme, will be required to take additional electrical safety measures to protect themselves and Queensland householders.
More information on the new safety requirements and on ceiling insulation generally is available by following the links below.
Legislation, safety alerts and information for installers
Electrical Safety (Installation of Ceiling Insulation) Notice 2009
Copy of the Ministerial Notice pursuant to the Electrical Safety Act 2002
Ministerial Notice to all Queensland insulation installers
Details about the new legal requirements for all Queensland insulation installers
Risk Management Code of Practice 2007 Supplement 2 – Risk assessment
Further information to assist insulation installers in carrying out the required risk assessment
Risk Assessment Training Register (PDF 15 KB)
Risk management template for insulation installers to assist in maintaining training records
Insulation – installing ceiling insulation and your health and safety (PDF 136 KB)
Fact sheet for installers of ceiling insulation
Insulation and downlight dangers
Obligations of insulation installers relating to insulation material around downlights
Safety Alert - Electrical fatality of insulation installer - 15 October 2009
Safety Alert - Installing ceiling insulation – health and safety information – 3 November 2009
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions for installers
Frequently asked questions about ceiling insulation for Queensland insulation installers
Frequently asked questions for consumers
Frequently asked questions about ceiling insulation for consumers
Australian Government rebate program
Important changes to the Australian Government’s Home Insulation Program came into effect from 2 November 2009. For information relating to the installation of ceiling insulation under the Home Insulation Program, please visit www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency or call 1800 808 571.
Last updated November 5, 2009
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