Geelong Region Construction Safety Group (GRCSG) Key Points

GEELONG REGIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY GROUP (GRCSG) Key Points

Meeting 1 –  11 February 2019

  1. GRCSG NOW ESTABLISHED to serve our region with representatives from WorkSafe, commercial and domestic construction sectors, subcontractors, suppliers and hire companies.
  2. INFORMATION SHARING has now been enabled between employers, employees, subcontractors, employer organisations and WorkSafe.
  3. A “LESSONS LEARNT” PRESENTATION regarding EWP use is currently being prepared.
  4. CONSTRUCTION INDUCTION TRAINING (White Card) extent of acceptance in each state is under review.
  5. SECONDARY GUARDING ON EWP’S status of implementation is being widely researched.

Meeting 2 – 25 March 2019

  1. NEW GROUP MEMBER from Multi Skills Training, Graham Bowman was invited and accepted a position with the group in an ongoing role.
  2. SILICA DUST RISK discussion paper was tabled to the group for further discussion.
  3. SECONDARY GUARDING ON EWP’S is being progressively and proactively installed on Tutt Bryant existing EWP plant over the past 12 months ahead of “new design” based equipment.
  4. “LESSONS LEARNT” PRESENTATION 2nd draft due for submission by LC to WorkSafe for review.
  5. HALT “SAVE YOUR BACON” BREKKY will take place at Faggs’ Mitre 10 South Geelong store on a date to be advised.
  6. Group commenced discussion on supporting WorkSafe HEALTH AND SAFETY MONTH in October 2019.

Meeting 3 – 13 May 2019

  1. NEW GROUP MEMBER Signature Homes have accepted a position with the group giving the Domestic sector two representatives now.
  2. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY attention was given to Blue Hats (worker wellbeing), Incolink Health checks, and Government Law development on Industrial Manslaughter Legislation.
  3. Awareness to members of the INCOLINK regular publication of their “Onsite” magazine.
  4. Discussion on the recent WORKSAFE PRESENTATION “Mirrored Installation” at Westfield shopping centre press report.
  5. WORKSAFE HEALTH & SAFETY MONTH of October 2019 – Ideas are streaming forward as a focus for our group for an activity during the month.

Meeting 4 – 24 June 2019

  1. LICENCING OF LABOUR HIRE companies is currently being rolled out by the Victorian government.
  2. INFORMATION provided on WorkSafe June Construction Safety Focus: Electrical Safety.
  3. INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER LAWS that are proposed for Victoria have been responded to by the Master Builders Association of Victoria.
  4. SWMS presentation to domestic builders is being developed.
  5. WORKSAFE HEALTH & SAFETY MONTH in October has had a presentation programme drafted and is being discussed.

Meeting 5 – 22 July 2019

  1. WORKSAFE targeted blitz on mobile cranes will commence in August.
  2. GUEST SPEAKERS invited to present on safety topics.
  3. MENTAL HEALTH WELLBEING detailed contact information will be posted in work site amenities.
  4. USE AN ACCREDITED RTO check they are accredited or the training may not be recognised.
  5. WORKSAFE HEALTH & SAFETY MONTH in October group activity format has been approved by WorkSafe with the details to be finalised.

Meeting 6 – 19 August 2019

  1. PUBLIC AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COMMENT on the proposed new EPA Act scheduled for release on 1/7/2020 is currently open.
  2. ON LINE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INDUCTION CARDS training is no longer accredited.
  3. SWMS generally should be monitored that they are not too complex or specific enough. They must be relevant to the task at hand
    in the specific work environment.
  4. OPERATION OF ALL EWP’s require proof of competency. High Risk Work Licence WP are required for all knuckle booms over 11m. Scissor lifts do
    not require a licence but proof of competency is required. eg. EWP Yellow Card
  5. “HALT” “SAVE YOUR BACON BREKKY” is scheduled for Tuesday 10th September 2019 @ 7.30am in Faggs’ Mitre 10 Car Park Barwon Terrace South Geelong. Feel free to attend.

Meeting 7 – 30 September 2019

  1. All of construction industry to watch out for the implementation of LABOUR HIRE BUSINESS REGULATION due to start on 1/11/2019.
  2. Follow up required on what HIA have done about responding to comment required on the NEW EPA ACT due to come in to force on 1/7/2020.
  3. Rejection of Construction Industry INDUCTION CARDS obtained on line since 5/4/2019. This will be an Industry wide issue.
  4. EWPA MEWP Supervisors course being run by Lyons Construction in Geelong on 16/10/2019 and 30/10/2019. (This is a NSW curriculum trial). Invitations have been sent out.
  5. October 2019 is WorkSafe “HEALTH & SAFETY MONTH”. Various presentations on all day at GMHBA on 8/10/2019 all welcome to attend.

Meeting 8 – 18 November 2019

  1. GRCSG is pleased to announce it will continue in 2020 in the same format with bi-monthly meetings.
  2. INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER legislation passed the Government lower house week ending 15/11/19.
  3. BUILDING TRADE LICENSING is currently being discussed by the Government and the Union (for Painters, Plasterers, Bricklayers, Carpenters, and Tilers).
  4. A WORKSAFE TASKFORCE is investigating a possible safety breach “On the Spot” fine system.
  5. Public comment has closed on the new EPA Act to be introduced on 1/7/2020.

Meeting 9 – 10 February 2020

  1. New member TIM MARTIN from LNX CONSTRUCTIONS has joined the GRCSG for 2020.
  2. INDUSTRIAL MANSLAUGHTER LEGISLATION due to come into effect 1/7/2020 as mentioned in Herald Sun article on 1/2/2020 includes “suicide.” Employer Associations need to confirm this is current and outline any steps Employers need to take.
  3. MASTER BUILDERS VICTORIA RESPONSE to the Government/ Union TASK FORCE ON REGISTRATION AND LICENSING of building trades highlights an industry minefield for employers to manage.
  4. The EXPOSURE STANDARD FOR CRYSTALLINE SILICA DUST (listed under Quartz (respirable dust)) is 0.05mg/m³ as a TWA (time-weighted average) airborne concentration over eight hours. WorkSafe Victoria recommends that employees are not exposed to level above 0.02mg/m³ as a TWA. This is a precautionary measure to prevent silicosis, and to minimise the risk of lung cancer.
  5. HEARING TESTS FOR EMPLOYEES should always occur at pre-start of employment and then again at two year intervals as required by regulation. This is so employers have a track record for any hearing loss claims.

 

Meeting 10 – 11 May 2020

  1. NEW MEMBER Sam Hall from FC Walker Plaster & Tiles has joined the group and will attend the next meeting scheduled for 3/8/2020.
  2. WorkSafe are providing construction INDUSTRY INFORMATION SESSIONS to Gordon TAFE apprentices. Lyons Construction to provide contact details to WorkSafe on Deakin representatives so they can deliver sessions to Construction students.
  3. Release of the NEW EPA ACT has now been deferred until 1/7/2021.
  4. Construction Industry MANSLAUGHTER LEGISLATION still due for release on 1/7/2020. Impact of the word “suicide” being mentioned within the Act to be followed up with MBAV/HIA.
  5. Our Group expressed concern at the lack of updates being provided to the Construction Industry on the “REGISTRATION OF TRADESPEOPLE.”

 

Meeting 11 – 3 August 2020

  1. Worksafe advise they require notification of any worker on a Construction site that tests positive to C0VID- 19. (Similar to a current normal “Incident Report”)
  2. Registration and LICENSING OF CONSTRUCTION TRADES has been delayed 12 months due to the current Pandemic.
  3. CYBER INSURANCE requirements need to be considered by all employers due to the many incidents within Australia recently.

 

Meeting 12 – 16 November 2020

  1. Registration and LICENSING OF CONSTRUCTION TRADES has been delayed until the start of 2022.
  2. COVID SAFE PLANS are required on all sites, companies must ensure compliance.
  3. MBAV Geelong Section has appointed a new Chairman Mr Anthony Lococo commencing in 2021.
  4. Government subsidies for TRAINING are available for 17 – 24-year-old’s’ for various construction industry tickets. Contact MultiSkills Training in Moolap.
  5. Recently released POWERCOR REGULATIONS have changed the “No Go Zone” to 2.0m.

 

Meeting 13 – 24 May 2021

  1. WorkSafe have released an EWP INDUSTRY STANDARD April 2021 (90 pages)
  2. Powercor “NO GO ZONE” presentation occurred. For further information contact Allan Pont, HSEQ Manager at Lyons Construction.
  3. Construction Industry TRADES REGISTRATION & LICENCING implementation delayed until 2022. Employers should prepare.
  4. New EPA REGULATIONS came into force on 1/6/2021.
  5. Construction Industry COVID Guidelines Version 12 have been released by the Victorian Building and Construction Industry.

 

Meeting 14 – 22 November 2021

  1. National Asbestos Awareness Week started 22/11/2021.
  2. WorkSafe “On the Spot” Fine System has been legislated. 60 Items listed as Key Targets.
  3. It is confirmed that the “Geelong Regional Construction Safety Group” will continue in 2022.
  4. Construction Trade Registration has commenced with carpentry currently being resolved.
  5. It is pointed out that “The Builder” is responsible to check that HIGH RISK WORK ACTIVITY SWMS are being worked to by the Contractor / Subcontractor.
  6. MultiSkills have advised that TRAINING FUNDING is still available for various Industry Tickets for workers who have lost their jobs.

 

Meeting 15 – 7 March 2022

  1. MULTISKILLS TRAINING CENTRE at 351 – 359 Portarlington Road, Moolap is a first class construction industry training facility. Further information can be found on their website: https://www.multiskills.com.au/
  2. Nine people died in our region from WORKPLACE INCIDENTS IN 2021.
  3. It is reported that the MASTER BUILDERS GEELONG OFFICE has been closed down.
  4. Master Builders Geelong Section in conjunction with the Gordon Tafe have produced a CONSTRUCTION VIDEO ON APPRENTICE TRAINING.
  5. All construction industry participants need to keep up with any actions required in the process of MANDATORY REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF TRADES. Carpentry is currently underway.

 

Meeting 16 – 23 May 2022

  1. Ireland Brown , Hamlan Homes and Tutt Bryant Hire have Exited this GROUP.
  2. COVID protocols on site have been rolled back but double vax is still required.
  3. New proposed OHS Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations by WorkSafe, submissions for impact statement period have closed.
  4. Geelong Section MBV and The Gordon have developed a 3 minute VIDEO on Construction Industry Apprentice Training. Its release is imminent

 

GRCSG contact for information: Allan Pont 0447 506 839