The Australian government has mandated EE-OZ Training Standards to develop natural refrigeration training resources across the country, which has become increasingly essential after the HFC levy became effective in July 2012. The availability of facilities, plant and relevant equipment for delivering ammonia training is currently insufficient and requires backing from the industry.
Out of over 25,000 refrigeration technicians in Australia that have been trained to handle fluorinated refrigerants in stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems, most will be required to pass a training in natural refrigerants to ensure that the increased deployment of natural working fluids is handled safely and responsibly.
There are three training modules available in Australia:
Lack of ammonia facilities for hand-on training
While the theoretical training on ammonia safety and legislation is currently of will soon be offered by 9 training organisations across Australia, the availability of practical training is clearly lagging behind. According to a survey carried out by the EE-OZ Training Standards in June/July 2012 among 23 training organisations across Australia, only four training organisation in Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania have the necessary facilities and equipment to deliver training for ammonia system servicing and repair.
The refrigeration and air conditioning industry needs therefore to assist their local training organisations to obtain access to a plant and equipment required to deliver practical natural refrigeration training.
AIRAH ammonia courses held in 2012
Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), one of the registered training organisations, provides dedicated Industrial Refrigeration training that has been researched and developed by industry users to meet the specific needs of staff working in and around ammonia plants. This training is evaluated every year and updated as required.
Training is provided for plant operators, electricians, non-refrigeration trade staff, refrigeration contractors, engineers and occupational health and safety staff.
The courses that are offered throughout October and November 2012 include:
refrigerant
o UEENEEJ196A – Operate ammonia refrigeration plant
About EE-Oz
EE-Oz Training Standards is an Australian Government declared Industry Skills Council primarily responsible for developing and maintaining the National Qualifications, Skill Sets and Competency Standard Units within the National Training Packages under its coverage. This includes the HVAC&R industry, which is covered by the Electrotechnology Training Package.
In September 2011, EE-Oz Training Standards Industry Skills Council gained funding from the government to develop Australia’s training capacity resources for up-skilling existing refrigeration and air conditioning workers to safely handle natural refrigerants. It is foreseen that the project will be finalised in November 2012.
There are three training modules available in Australia:
- Safety awareness and legal requirements to handle, use and store ammonia refrigerant (UEENEEJ178A)
- Servicing and repairs of ammonia refrigeration systems (UEENEEJ179A)
- Operating an industrial refrigeration plant using ammonia (UEENEEJ196A)
Lack of ammonia facilities for hand-on training
While the theoretical training on ammonia safety and legislation is currently of will soon be offered by 9 training organisations across Australia, the availability of practical training is clearly lagging behind. According to a survey carried out by the EE-OZ Training Standards in June/July 2012 among 23 training organisations across Australia, only four training organisation in Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania have the necessary facilities and equipment to deliver training for ammonia system servicing and repair.
The refrigeration and air conditioning industry needs therefore to assist their local training organisations to obtain access to a plant and equipment required to deliver practical natural refrigeration training.
AIRAH ammonia courses held in 2012
Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), one of the registered training organisations, provides dedicated Industrial Refrigeration training that has been researched and developed by industry users to meet the specific needs of staff working in and around ammonia plants. This training is evaluated every year and updated as required.
Training is provided for plant operators, electricians, non-refrigeration trade staff, refrigeration contractors, engineers and occupational health and safety staff.
The courses that are offered throughout October and November 2012 include:
- Operate ammonia refrigeration plant, comprising of two units:
refrigerant
o UEENEEJ196A – Operate ammonia refrigeration plant
- Ammonia Emergency Response
- Ammonia Safety Awareness
- Energy Efficient Industrial Refrigeration
About EE-Oz
EE-Oz Training Standards is an Australian Government declared Industry Skills Council primarily responsible for developing and maintaining the National Qualifications, Skill Sets and Competency Standard Units within the National Training Packages under its coverage. This includes the HVAC&R industry, which is covered by the Electrotechnology Training Package.
In September 2011, EE-Oz Training Standards Industry Skills Council gained funding from the government to develop Australia’s training capacity resources for up-skilling existing refrigeration and air conditioning workers to safely handle natural refrigerants. It is foreseen that the project will be finalised in November 2012.
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Oct 12, 2012, 11:17
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