Plumbing Connection 2-2015

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16 PLUMBING CONNECTION WINTER 2015
INDUSTRY NEWS
BUTANE CANISTER “LUNCHBOX”
COOKERS BANNED
Energy Safe Victoria is warning the
Australian public not to use butane
canister or ‘lunchbox’ cookers due to
concerns they may overheat, catch
fire or explode.
Recent investigations have found
that these cookers don’t comply
with the Australian
Standard and their
safety devices
may fail if they
overheat.
Certification
has been
withdrawn from
more than 70
products, which
are also known as
cookers with enclosed
cartridges, and they have been
removed from sale across Victoria.
Victoria’s Director of Energy
Safety, Paul Fearon, said ESV was
advising consumers not to use
the cookers following six reported
incidents across the state in the past
year.
“The safety devices have failed
when these products have not
been used in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions,” he
said. “The use of oversize pots and
pans reflects heat onto the butane
canister and causes it to overheat. If
the safety device does not operate,
there is a risk of fire or explosion.”
It is estimated there are 5
million of the portable
cookers around
Australia.
“State
regulators have
referred the
uncertified
products to
the ACCC, and
discussions
are underway
with suppliers about
rectification,” Mr Fearon said.
In March all “lunch box” gas
cookers designed for camping were
banned from sale in New South Wales
and South Australia after reports of
explosions from a design fault.
A national meeting of state
regulators decided to ban all single
and dual gas stoves.
PHYSIOS URGE TRADIES TO MAKE
HEALTH & SAFETY A PRIORITY
The Australian Physiotherapy
Association (APA) has urged
employers and workers to make
health and safety a priority to reduce
the $60 billion spent on work injuries
each year.
A figure, which we can all agree, is
far too high.
APA National President and
physiotherapist Marcus Dripps
said now is the time to review
occupational health and safety
procedures to ensure a safe
workplace.
“While workplace injuries are on
the decline, each year we spend
billions of dollars on work-related
injury and illnesses, many of which
should be prevented. And tradies
are among those highest at risk,” Mr
Dripps said.
“This is the time of year to review
your safety procedures, retrain
and educate your staff, develop a
supportive return-to-work culture,
and make sure you’ve got the
best measures in place to prevent
injuries,” said Mr Dripps.
Research shows one in five serious
workplace-related injuries involve
a tradie. Tradies are also among
one of the largest proportions
of occupations with the highest
incidence of early retirement.
“If you do injure yourself – our
message is simple: stop ignoring
aches and pains and seek treatment
immediately,” Mr Dripps said.
“Often we’ll see tradies with
injuries that could’ve been managed
well before they became serious.
“It’s unfortunately a common
mentality of the sector that needs to
change.”
The APA is urging trade workplaces
to make health and safety a priority
and confirm their involvement in
Tradies National Health Month for
2015 via
A TIMELY MESSAGE FROM SNAP FIRE
SYSTEMS
Following high profile apartment
fires in Melbourne and Brisbane, and
a new trend toward independent
audits post-handover by Site
Managers, Building Owners,
Body Corporates and Insurance
Companies, compliance with the
National Construction Code (NCC)
and Standards for Fire Protection
has never been more important.
Reliance on certification is not
always a guarantee a building
is compliant and costs for the
rectification of defective works
are being pushed back onto sub-
contractors.
Accordingly, it is essential that
sub-contractors are aware of
what is required by the NCC. For
instance, in the case of service
penetrations, a full Test Report,
Regulatory Information Report (RIR)
or Assessment must be supplied for
the pipe/element/collar system.
Additionally, subcontractors must
be aware of changes to the codes,
e.g. since 2007 it has been mandated
that a floorwaste collar be used in a
shower waste.
Always seek expert advice before
going ahead with works. When
defects are found, rectification
costs can be expensive, even without
the time and cost of any legal
proceedings.
BANNED!