The Union understands that because of changes in the Compressed Gas Regulations of the HSNO Act, as from 1 October 2005 the only person able to re-charge B.A. Cylinders
will need to be an ”Approved Filler”.

This will require undertaking a training and assessment procedure followed by
certification.

The Union understands that in a few places this training has already taken place. However, in most places, this is proposed over the next few weeks.

The training and assessment procedure requires:
- A 75 minute lesson presentation; and
- A 9 question closed book written assessment with all questions correct; and
- A practical assessment.

The Union has previously argued that outside qualifications required for a particular task to be undertaken ought to be recognized by a qualification payment e.g. Driving, Telarc,
and the Union sees no reason why this should not be the case in regard to a qualified and approved filler.

At this time however, the Fire Service has assumed that members will voluntarily undertake the training and assessment procedure and then become a qualified filler.

There have been previous examples where members have trained and qualified in certain skills and then after the event, sought a qualification payment. The Fire Service
response has been “we presently get these persons to do the particular task for free so why should we now pay for it?”

Consequently the Union has written to the Fire Service seeking to commence negotiations on an appropriate qualification payment. Until the outcome of such negotiations is known and an appropriate rate agreed, members who have not been trained, should not undertake the necessary training and assessment process.

From 1 October B.A. Cylinder Fillers will need to be trained, assessed and certified as Approved Fillers, and the Union expects that that qualification needs to be paid for.