08:30 am, Saturday 6 February, 2010

Unions have called for a review of the safety standards related to the Federal Government’s ceiling insulation system following four related deaths since its introduction last year.

The most recent incident involves a 25-year-old contractor who was electrocuted on Thursday in Millaa Millaa. Paramedics who responded to the scene were unable to resuscitate the man.

Queensland Council of Unions spokeswoman Amanda Richards said the Thursday incident was the fourth ceiling insulation casualty in Australia since October.

Ms Richards praised the new safety measures introduced by Environment Minister Peter Garrett last year, requiring a formal risk assessment for each job and establishing a name-and-shame register for deregistered installers.

However, she said more was needed to protect contractors.

“One death is too many, each of these deaths is senseless,” she said.

She said unions had raised concerns about the growing number of contractors being listed under the scheme, as well as the workers’ lack of training.

“Businesses in this industry need to take the health and safety of their workers seriously and ensure there are safe systems in place,” Ms Richards said.

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