Foil insulation program suspended after deaths

PETER Garrett is under pressure to offer free safety checks for 37,000 houses with potentially deadly foil insulation in the wake of four deaths.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Peter Garrett is under pressure to offer free safety checks for 37,000 houses with potentially deadly foil insulation installed under the government's stimulus package, after he suspended the program today in the wake of four deaths.

And the Rudd government has ordered a second inquiry into a troubled program which offers cheap loans of up to $10,000 to "green" homes, conceding it is not working properly

On Monday, The Australian revealed an audit of almost 1000 homes in Queensland has found that in about 2 per cent of cases, foil insulation was installed inappropriately, causing the roof to become "live".

This means that if home owners enter their roof space and touch the insulation, they could be shocked or electrocuted.

If the foil touches metal frames or pipes, it could cause other parts of houses, including taps, to become electrified.

The Rudd government came under pressure in question time today over the insulation scheme which unions warn risk turning hundreds of homes into death traps.

Mr Garrett today suspended the scheme admitting there was still evidence of installers using dangerous practices, despite a ban last year on the use of metal fasteners for foil insulation.

"Metallic foil is conductive and when installed incorrectly, without undertaking the mandatory risk assessments and in breach of clear program requirements, this product can be dangerous,'' he said.

"That is why we have taken steps today to suspend the use of foil under this program,'' he said.

The suspension follows calls from Master Electricians Australia to have the government's $1200 rebate withdrawn for foil insulation.

"We're not moving fast enough to get these homes inspected and these dangerous roofs identified,'' Mr Richards said.

"I'm talking further to the government about that issue.''

The opposition's climate action spokesman Greg Hunt said Mr Garrett owed it to householders to offer them a safety audit.

"The missing element in his response is that there is absolutely no commitment to audit every house that has been installed with potentially lethal and faulty insulation,'' Mr Hunt said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also admitted today there were problems with the greens loans scheme.

The Green Loans scheme provides the owners of 360,000 households with a free assessment, after which they can access an interest-free loan of up to $10,000 to make green improvements.

"Plainly, there are (problems) and they need to be dealt with," Mr Rudd said.

"It's not perfect, there have been problems with implementation."

Householders who have safety concerns about insulation in their homes should contact a licensed electrician or the Energy Efficient Homes Hotline on 1800 808 571.

With wires

Deaths involving insulation installers since the Home Insulation Program was announced
 

October 14, 2009
An installer is electrocuted and a co-worker receives an electric shock while putting foil insulation in the roof of a Brisbane home. A staple used to secure the foil pierces a power cable, electrifying the foil.

November 18, 2009
A 16-year-old worker is electrocuted while installing insulation at a property at Stanwell, southwest of Rockhampton. His co-worker survives but suffers an electric shock.

November 20, 2009
A 19-year-old insulation worker dies in Sydney after emerging from the searing heat of a roof space during his first day on the job.

February 4, 2010
A 25-year-old worker is electrocuted while working in a ceiling at Millaa Millaa, southwest of Cairns.

February 9, 2010
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett suspends foil insulation from the government's rebate scheme, citing ongoing concerns about safe installation.