2013
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About this document
Under the Australian Government's Clean Energy Future Plan, an equivalent carbon price on synthetic greenhouse gases (SGGs) was introduced on 1 July 2012. Prior to and since the introduction of the equivalent carbon price, the department has been working with industry and work health and safety departments to raise awareness of potential risks in the SGG industry and regulatory requirements. As part of this work, the department engaged David Caple and Associates Pty. Ltd. to provide an independent baseline analysis of work health and safety data and information for SGGs and their substitutes (including hydrocarbons, ammonia and carbon dioxide), and equipment containing these gases within Australia from 2007 to 2011.
Ten recommendations were made in the report with a focus on raising awareness of potential safety issues when using substitute gases, improving training, education and communication of appropriate workplace procedures and regulatory obligations to manage work health and safety risks, and increasing control of the use of substitute gases including through a licensing scheme and specific codes of practice. This document is the department's response to the report's recommendations.