ETU: ban smart meter repairs until declared safe

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has called on the Australian Government to ban smart meter repairs until liquid leaks have been analysed and declared safe to handle.

ETU State Secretary Dean Mighell urged Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu to order electricity distribution companies to halt the smart meter rollout after explosions raised safety concerns.

“A series of recent explosions involving the distribution company Jemena has shown smart meters to be unreliable and dangerous both to our members who are installing or repairing them and to householders,” Mighell said.

“Until the manufacturer/importer supplies the appropriate Australian Material Safety Data Sheet on the hazardous nature of this liquid, and it is deemed safe to handle, the ETU is recommending that no repair work be conducted until an appropriate risk rated method is implemented,” Mighell said.

“Currently, the ETU is aware of 12 incidents in which smart meters have faulted, resulting in a yellow/green liquid being discharged from the unit.”

Mighell also criticised Energy Safe Victoria Director Paul Fearon’s response to the situation, calling it “totally inadequate”.

“He conceded he doesn’t know what the leaking liquid is and said ‘experts from overseas’ were being called in. Then, when asked if the material was carcinogenic Mr Fearon claimed this as being ‘unnecessarily alarmist’ and was not able to give a date when his review of the material would be complete,” Mighell said.

The ETU is supporting the Stop Smart Meters Delegation’s visit to Minister for Energy Michael O’Brien’s electoral office in Malvern East on Friday 2 March.