Submission on Basic Plumbing Repairs in Remote Aboriginal Communities from the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum (KAHPF)

Transcription

1 Submission on Basic Plumbing Repairs in Remote Aboriginal Communities from the Kimberley Aboriginal Health Planning Forum (KAHPF) Section Discussion Points Comment 2.0 Statement of the problem 1 Is the proposed scope of work sufficient to meet the basic plumbing needs of remote communities? 2 Should the Plumbing Licensing Board have the power to add additional tasks to the scope of work covered by a restricted permit or licence where a need is identified? 3 Are there any drawbacks to introducing a restricted licensing or permit scheme (for remote Aboriginal communities)? If so, what are they? 3.0 Licensing Options 4 Are the three Certificate II qualifications discussed above appropriate to the types of basic plumbing repair work proposed to be covered by the Restricted Plumbing Permit (Remote Aboriginal Communities) scheme? 5 If not, why, and what alternative qualifications do you suggest? 6 Is it appropriate to require the holder of a Restricted Plumbing Permit (Remote Aboriginal Communities) to maintain a register of all work performed? 7 Should there be a requirement that community administrators KAHPF supports the introduction of a Restricted Plumbing Licence for Aboriginal Environmental Health Workers. A recommended list of revisions to the scope of work is attached (developed by KAHPF member Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation in wide consultation with stakeholder organisations) KAHPF recommends a controlled and regulated approach to change, based upon local need and skill levels The scope of work requires clarity for insurance coverage for liabilities. See 2.1 Supplementary training may be required for those under training package HLT07. KAHPF supports a requirement for the holder to maintain and be able to produce a register to a PLB member No and very unlikely to be feasible because of distance. Training should ensure standards/that poor work is not deemed acceptable. For continuous quality improvement 1

2 must ensure that a licensed plumbing contractor examines the work of the holder of a Restricted Plumbing Permit (Remote Aboriginal Communities) within a set period of time after any work is completed? If so, what should this period be? 8 Are there any other compliance issues that need to be considered in developing the Restricted Plumbing Permit (Remote Aboriginal Communities) scheme? 9 Would it be appropriate to create a class of restricted business licence for service providers operating in remote Aboriginal communities? If no, why? If yes, what systems should a provider be required to have in place to qualify for a Service Provider Licence? 10 Do you foresee any issues arising from having a dual system of occupational permits for individuals and business licences for service providers? If yes, what are they? 11 Would it be appropriate to require that a licensed plumbing contractor must examine the work performed by employees of service providers? If yes, within what period of the work finishing should the examination be required to take place? 4.0 What is meant by the term remote based on a philosophy of empowerment and community control, a program of peer review could be developed through the Kimberley and Pilbara Environmental Health Working Group where Environmental Health Workers develop and observe each other s skills. Good character, clean driving record and approved by RBC RPP should not be used to discount qualified plumbers. Perhaps RPP should be linked as apprentices to registered plumbers and lead to formal trade qualifications. This exists at the moment. KAHPF suggests further consideration of the context of the job - changing a tap washer to sewerage connections 2

3 Aboriginal community? 12 Should the remote Aboriginal communities be specifically identified in the Plumbing Regulations or is a more flexible registration system preferable? 13 If you think they should be specifically identified, which remote Aboriginal Communities should be covered by the restricted permit/licence scheme? 5.0 Funding the Restricted Permit/Licensing Scheme 14 What funding options do you believe are appropriate to fund the administration and compliance elements of a restricted plumbing permit scheme for remote Aboriginal communities? 6.0 Other Issues 15 What is your interest in the proposal? i) Resident of a remote community. ii) Administrator of a remote community. iii) Licensed plumbing contractor. iv) Environmental health worker. v) Provider of service to remote communities. vi) Other (please specify). 16 Overall, what impact do you think the proposal will have on you? Each land council in conjunction with each Aboriginal Health Planning Forum could specify for an agreed period (say three years) As above. This is ideally addressed locally by local governance structures. KAHPF strongly recommends that the Restricted Plumbing Permit be restricted to those who are trained and only currently employed in an organization providing environmental health services. KAPHPF members are committed to the health and well-being of remote Aboriginal communities and the people who live in them. This includes addressing the environmental determinants of good health. 3

4 17 Do you have a different model you prefer that ensures the basic plumbing services remain in operation in remote communities. 18 Do you foresee any financial benefits or losses arising from the implementation of a scheme to enable basic plumbing repair work to be conducted in remote Aboriginal communities by people who are not the holders of a full plumbers licence? 19 If yes, please say why and (if possible) provide an estimate as to how much. KAHPF highlights the positive opportunities and benefits for a modest cost. 4

5 PLUMBING TASKS THAT AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WORKER SHOULD BE ABLE TO PERFORM IN A COMMUNITY SETTING Level One: Replace - tap washers, tap or shower rose (like for like), outlet washers on cistern, P and S traps, plug and washer, cistern outlet valve. (Add to PLB Draft at Level 1 moved from Level 2) Cut off or cap water supply pipe (emergency work only) Cut off or cap sanitary or drainage pipe (emergency work only) Replace outside hose tap Repair/replace vents (Add to PLB Draft at Level 1 moved from Level 3) Replace cistern (and cistern inlet valve) Level Two Clear blockages in waste fixtures (note: Group agreed EHW fix or interim work is very important for maintaining community health and safety. Reporting is equally important e.g. particularly for bigger problem alert) (Additional task not mentioned in PLB Draft) Repair/Replace i.o. s and overflow gully s (like for like) Level Three Note: this level would be appropriate for EHW to perform interim emergency work, until the licenced plumber can attend the job. Repairing severed water supply line Repairing severed sanitary or drainage line Repairing severed sanitary or drainage pipe (bends and branches) Clear blockages (soil and main drain) (Add to PLB Draft at Level 3 moved from Level 2) Repairing severed sanitary or drainage pipe (straight lengths) Level Four Note: The following plumbing job tasks deemed appropriate as plumber only i.e. no need for EHW to perform these jobs. Replace toilet pan Replace hand basin, bath, receptacle fitting (like for like) Replace pressure relief valve (like for like) Maintain tempering valves Replace water heater unit (like for like) Replace/repair reflux valve Replace other pressure relief valves (temp valves) Replace solar panels, check gycol Replace community/house inlet valve 5