A specially convened industry summit at Parliament House to address safety issues around the increased use of flammable refrigerants has been successful.
The urgent summit, which was held with the former Parliamentary Secretary of Sustainability, Senator Don Farrell, has led to a commitment by the federal government to take action and respond to industry concerns.
Refrigerants Australia executive director Steve Anderson today confirmed that the meeting was held last month, days before a Cabinet reshuffle which led to Senator Farrell being promoted to the role of Minister for Science and Research.
However, despite the reshuffle Anderson said the federal government has agreed to address safety issues around the increased use of flammable refrigerants, including hydrocarbons.
Industry believe the increased use of flammable refrigerants is due to carbon pricing which has led to a significant price hike for refrigerants with a high Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Refrigerant users are seeking out cheaper alternatives not suitable for many systems currently in use.
Anderson said the meeting was well-attended with industry presenting a list of occupational health and safety concerns to the Senator.
The attendees included: Mark Padwick (Airconditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association), Sumit Oberoi (Airconditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association), Leon Miller (Airconditioning and Refrigeration Wholesalers Association), David Crossley (Australian Industry Group), Colin Doyle (Consumer Electronic Suppliers Association), David Willett (Refrigerants Reclaim Australia), Kevin O'Shea (Refrigeration and Airconditioning Contractors Association), Ian Stangroome (Vehicle Airconditioning Specialists of Australasia) and Phil Wilkinson (AIRAH).
Anderson said a more stringent safety regime needs to be put in place to accommodate the move to low GWP refrigerants.
He said the biggest concern is the continued marketing of highly flammable refrigerants as drop-in replacements in equipment not designed for their use.
This has led to an urgent meeting of equipment manufacturers and wholesalers.
In the wake of these meetings a number of announcements will be made later this month to address industry concerns.
Details of the announcements will appear in the May edition of Climate Control News magazine.
