A newly-formed, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to hydrocarbon refrigerants, safety, training, standards and compliance has been established in Australia.
Known as the Hydrocarbon Manufacturers Association (HMA), the organisation’s vice president, Sister Kayla Peperkamp, said HMA was created to establish a united voice for the hydrocarbon industry.
“Despite the growth of hydrocarbon refrigerants, there has never been an organisation solely dedicated to representing hydrocarbon refrigerants, their safety requirements, training needs and compliance obligations,” she said.
“The HMA is focused on raising standards, supporting workforce development, improving safety outcomes and promoting best-practice compliance.”
Although HMA is registered in Australia it also operates in New Zealand and since its creation has been incredibly busy.
In the next 12 months alone, HMA is working to expand hydrocarbon refrigerant training programs across Australia and New Zealand, increase awareness around flammable refrigerant safety requirements and develop more safety resources.
HMA is also improving access to training through technology partnerships. For example, the group is currently working with software partners Neuralift X to bring state-of-the-art global training packages to the hydrocarbon industry.
HMA president, Lindsay Pelser, said safety is not an option; it is the foundation upon which the hydrocarbon industry must continue to grow.
“Safety and compliance are at the centre of everything we do, we recognise that training costs can be a barrier for apprentices and students,” he said.
“Through sponsorship and hardship packages, HMA wants to make essential training more accessible. HMA’s Flammable Refrigerants Safety Guide demonstrates our commitment to safety and compliance.”