KEY POINTS:
In what is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind two refrigeration engineers have been convicted and fined for a reckless discharge of an ozone depleting substance.
Trevor Herbert Mason and Carl Benjamin Swete were convicted and fined $750 each plus court costs in Auckland District Court last week.
The prosecution was brought under the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996.
The court was told the two men were repairing a drink chiller at an Auckland Service Station in September last year. Part of the repairs involved cleaning a blocked condenser and while they were doing this an ozone depleting substance (chlorodifluoromethane HCFC22, trade name R22) was discharged.
The discharge was seen by a member of the public with some knowledge of the refrigeration industry and the substance involved.
This person warned the engineers that it was a hazardous substance they were letting off, however they didn't take much notice of this warning.
The incident was later reported to the Ministry of Economic Development which administers the Act.
Ministry director Roger Wigglesworth said the protection of the ozone layer was an important priority.
All HCFCs would be completely phased out by 2015 under the Montreal Protocol.
"Until then permit holders are still allowed to use these substances, however users need to observe best practice when handling any ozone depleting substances.
"This prosecution is a strong reminder to the refrigeration servicing industry to be responsible, undertake training and to always observe best practice when handling any ozone depleting substances," he said.
- NZPA
