Beware of the electrical dangers when installing insulation

In recent months, an alarming number of workers have been electrocuted while installing thermal insulation into homes. Given the growing need for more insulation installers required to satisfy the sharp increase in demand, driven by the federal government’s incentive to make homes more energy efficient, there will be a high percentage of workers who are new to this field, who may not be aware of the serious occupational hazards they face.

In addressing the dangers associated with insulation installation, the Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, announced new safety precautions as part of the government’s Home Insulation Program last November. These included:

• A ban on metal fasteners for foil insulation, such as metal staples or nails;
• Mandatory installation of covers over downlights and other ceiling appliances, which have always been commonly used but aren’t compulsory under Australian Standards;
• A targeted electrical safety inspection program of homes with foil insulation installed under the program, starting at 10% of installations with the potential to adjust upwards as results are analysed; and
• A mandatory requirement that a formal risk assessment be completed for every installation before any work can start.

The Minister commented that demand for the rebate had been significant: “More than 500,000 Australian households have already installed ceiling insulation. We have also seen the industry grow enormously, creating jobs and supporting the economy.

“The new fire and electrical safety measures Â… follow meetings I urgently convened with a range of groups including representatives of the foil insulation and electrical trades sectors.

“The ban on metal staples and fasteners will immediately reduce the risk of electrocution for foil insulation installers, while making the application of covers over downlights mandatory goes further than the Australian Standards to maximise safety.”

The relevant construction and electrical training bodies are reviewing the insulation training package as a matter of urgency. This will set the agenda for a forthcoming training roundtable, focusing on any additional safety components that should be adopted.

Queensland government guidelines

Last October, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland issued the safety alert ‘Electrical risks to insulation installers’ to inform about the dangers of installing insulation near electrical equipment in ceilings and to provide guidance on how to control and identify a range of hazards found in ceilings.

The alert encouraged insulation installers to follow the advice in the Queensland Electrical Safety Office e-Alert, dated 15 October 2009, and to pass the information onto others that may be exposed to these risks.

Earlier that month, Electrical Safety Office and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland investigated the fatality of an insulation installer and another installer who received an electric shock and burns. It appears from the investigation that a staple, used to fix foil insulation in the roof space of a home, may have pierced an electric cable which energised the foil.

Insulation installers are warned of the dangers associated with installing conductive foil-type insulation near electrical equipment including cables, light fittings and ceiling fans. Installed incorrectly, this could cause the insulation to become energised, not only posing an electrical risk to the installer but also to others.

A safe system of work should be used to manage such risks, including measures to avoid damaging electrical equipment and/or cables when installing conductive material like aluminium insulation products.

Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act requires electrical workers to conduct their business in a way that is ‘electrically safe’. This is also relevant to non-electrical work, such as installing insulation material.

While such events may not always result in death, they can still have serious consequences, including burns and damage to the nervous system, brain, sensory/motor organs, heart and lungs. A shock can also throw someone off balance, resulting in fall injuries. The prospect of such injuries occurring in a roof space can make rescue difficult, resulting in a delay in treatment.

The Electrical Safety Office also warns installers not to underestimate other dangers involved, such as the increased fire risk associated with incorrectly installing insulation around lighting fixtures. Anyone entering a roof space should conduct a risk assessment to determine possible hazards prior to starting work.

NSW government guidelines

WorkCover NSW recently issued the fact sheet ‘How to safely install ceiling insulation’, noting the wide range of hazards insulation installers are exposed to, including fire and shock from electrical wiring and fittings.

Regarding electrical hazards, the fact sheet provides a number of helpful guidelines. Prior to commencing installation, the employer, head contractor or self-employed worker must:

• Identity all hazards, assess their risks and control them;
• Consult with and provide appropriate information and training to anyone involved in the work;
• Provide appropriate tools (preferably manual tools) and PPE. Any power tools used should have effective dust collection to capture fibres and dust and be connected through a residual current device (RCD) power outlet;
• Ensure that a system is in place to prevent falls; and
• Ensure adequate first-aid facilities are available.

Before entering the roof cavity to start the installation, the installer must:

• Ensure they know how to safely access the roof cavity, how to eliminate or control any associated risks and what to do in an emergency;
• Learn the safe-work procedures for removing and installing insulation;
• Check that tools and PPE are adequate and maintained; and
• Do a pre-work risk assessment of the roof cavity. Where electrical hazards are identified, a qualified electrical contractor should be engaged to eliminate or control the risks.

Work should only start once all the above is completed.

While installing the insulation:

• Follow the safe-work procedures for removing and installing insulation;
• Keep in constant contact with someone;
• Be aware of any electrical cables while trimming or cutting; and
• Don’t place material over downlights as it could create a heat build-up and consequent fire risk. Maintain at least 200 mm clearance around them, in accordance with the Wiring Rules.

Electrical industry guidelines

Australia’s peak electrical contracting body, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), called for urgent action by the federal and state governments to introduce new safety inspection requirements for the insulation installation industry.

The association, which represents 6000 contractors who employ over 100,000 electricians nationally, warned governments and consumers on a number of occasions in recent months of the dangers associated with installing insulation in roof cavities where cabling is present.

NECA national Chief Executive Officer James Tinslay states that the recent federal government stimulus package measures have exacerbated these problems without the establishment of adequate enforceable inspection safety measures and placed home-owners, occupiers and insulation installers in serious danger: “It’s time to take urgent action in addressing this problem, which is now recognised by all governments.

“We have been working with the federal government and our Industry Skills Council to raise the nationally recognised training standards to take account of electrical and communications cabling issues and other OHS matters specific to our industry. These need to be implemented urgently and require fast-tracking through the lengthy national training system process.

“However, the industry considers training initiatives in themselves insufficient to meet all the safety issues that have come to light. NECA recommends that all installation of insulation in roof cavities involve a compulsory pre-installation inspection by a registered electrical contractor and a follow-up inspection at the completion of installation. This inspection would then need to be signed by the consumer and installer and filed with the appropriate authority. The federal department operating the scheme could then undertake random risk-assessment audits to ensure the process is addressing the identified problems.

“In the interests of safety, saving lives and avoiding the potential for house fires, NECA recommends this proposal be established as soon as possible. The small additional costs involved will be more than compensated by lives saved.”