NO-LOSS


The IRHACE Industry Training Charitable Trust (Inc).

Introduction to the NO LOSS Programme:

In order to help stop depletion of the ozone layer and prevent global warming, it is essential that emission of fluorocarbon refrigerants from refrigeration and air conditioning systems be minimized. This will require refrigeration / air-conditioning engineers to become:

  • Familiar with the issues of ozone depletion and global warming, and of their potential consequences for New Zealanders.

  • Aware of the role that fluorocarbon refrigerants play in ozone depletion and global warming.

  • Skilled in work practices that minimize refrigerant emissions.

  • Familiar with the Australian and NZ Refrigerant Handling Code of Practice for the reduction of emission of fluorocarbon refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning applications produced by IRHACE.

  • Awareness of the Ozone Layer Protection Act

Note:

"In New Zealand it is an offence under the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996 to wilfully release an ozone depleting substance. Every person who commits an offence could be liable for a fine of up to  $200,000. In 2008 the  National Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Economic Development investigated such an offence and obtained a conviction.

Click the link below to view the act http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1996/0040/latest/DLM391469.html

Background

The original campaign was launched in 2002 by The Institute of Refrigeration, Heating Air Conditioning Engineers of NZ (IRHACE) and Refrigeration Air Conditioning Companies Assn (RACCA), in conjunction with the Ministry for the Environment (MfE). The "NO LOSS" Programme developed:

  • A Programme of training and certification for refrigeration/air-conditioning engineers and others who handle fluorocarbon refrigerants.

  • A public information campaign, aimed at informing the public of the issue and encouraging them to use only people who have demonstrated knowledge in the correct handling of fluorocarbon refrigerants.

  • A verification card with photo ID that IRHACE will issue to those who demonstrate their knowledge.

  • A Database of those who hold a current NO LOSS Card

 

Implementation of the training and certification program

The program was designed to be widely accessible, to maximize uptake by those people who handle fluorocarbon refrigerants during their work. This includes refrigeration engineers, air-conditioning engineers, motor-vehicle air conditioning service staff, and in-house personnel in factories, on board ships and fishing boats, and elsewhere. Organizations such as the Motor Trade Association, NZ Defence Force, HMNZ Naval Force, and Secretariat of the Pacific Régional Environnent Programme have been involved in the programme.

The program must recognize that participants may be not have studied or sat exams for many years, so must be suitably achievable.

For maximum credibility it is intended that future participants in the program will be able to sit an appropriate Unit Standard (Currently US 19666) and receive acknowledgement of their achievement by the awarding of a Unit Standard, and registration of the award on the National Qualifications Framework. Apprentices or holders of UNIT STANDARD 19666  do not have to sit the exam and can obtain the NO LOSS card at a reduced rate.

 

Methodology

Implementation
1. Packages containing the background booklet ‘Containment Matters', the Code of Practice and a sample exam paper would be assembled by IRHACE, with a front section explaining the training and certification program.
2. Packages would be made available to employers or to individuals via their employers.
3. Participants would be able to study the Background Booklet, Code of Practice and sample exam paper at their leisure, as is done for motor vehicle drivers licenses.
4. Participants would be required to register with IRHACE by returning the registration form together with the required fee.
5. IRHACE will issue a sealed exam paper, which when ready the participant would meet with the wholesaler's representative during the normal course of their visits to refrigeration and air conditioning companies, obtain any clarification required, and sit the exam under the supervision of the representative. Alternatively, the exam could be supervised by a Registered Workplace Assessor at the individual's work-place. (The Assessor is presently responsible for assessing the on-job training of apprentices at the work-place). The participant would be able to refer to the Code of Practice and Background Booklet during the exam.
6. The participant would provide the Supervisor/IRHACE with a passport-sized photo of himself/herself which the Supervisor would be required to sign as a certified likeness of the participant.
7. The completed paper and photograph would be returned to IRHACE by the Supervisor. IRHACE would check the paper against the register of participants, mark the paper and advise the participant of the result. If successful, the participant would be issued with a certification card similar to a credit card as described below. Unsuccessful participants would be able to apply to IRHACE for one more exam paper free of charge.
8. For those people who may not be visited by wholesalers' representatives, who do not have a Registered Workplace Assessor, or who cannot meet during the day, training courses which may be offered by IRHACE branches or MTA's throughout the country.

 

Costs

The cost of each package would be $70 incl. GST. The cost would cover the cost of the package, the marking of the exam paper, issuing of the card and administration of the data-base.

Members of IRHACE or RACCA may sit the exam at a reduced member rate. Apprentices or holders of UNIT STANDARD 19666 do not have to sit the exam and can obtain the NO LOSS card at a reduced rate. Please contact debbie@irhace.org.nz for more details.

 

Certification Card

The certification card would display the following information:

  • Individual's name.

  • Individual's photograph.

  • A statement that the bearer had demonstrated his/her knowledge of the correct handling of fluorocarbon refrigerants.

  • A disclaimer stating that the card did not make any statement as to the competence of the bearer in relation to any work that might be carried out. 

  • The NO LOSS Card is valid for a period of 5 years from issue.

Record-keeping

IRHACE would keep a data-base register of every person who registered for the program, and whether they had been issued with a card. Shortly before a card was due to expire (5 years) IRHACE would write to the individual inviting them to apply for a new card, and asking for confirmation of their mailing address. Those who do not request a new card will be deleted from the data-base.

We intend to update our new website all the names of all those people who are currently holding NO LOSS cards. www.irhace.org.nz

Download NO-LOSS Registration form