18 June 2018 / Warning

Building Code Compliance

As a builder who tenders for and completes projects funded by the Federal Government, Hutchies is required to comply with the Building Code.

The Building Code, together with its supporting guidelines establishes a set of industry standards applicable to workplace relations, health and safety and procurement in the building and construction industry.

On 2 December 2016 the then Building Code 2013 was replaced with Building Code 2016.

Building Code 2013 continues to apply to all projects for which the tender or expression of interest was called for prior to 2 December 2016. Projects tendered after this date fall under the provisions of Building Code 2016.

Everyone is reminded of Hutchies’ Site Management Industrial Relations Guides which should be distributed to and read by all members of the Site Management Team. They are available on Hutchies’ Document Library.

Status of Hutchies’ Code Compliance

Building Code 2016 requires that any builder or subcontractor who wishes to tender for Government projects is not covered by an Enterprise Agreement that contains certain non-permitted clauses.

Hutchies has been negotiating new or varied agreements around the country however we have not yet completed this process which means we are not yet compliant and therefore not permitted to tender for federally funded projects. If you are considering a project which may have federal funding attached to it, please contact Ben Young to discuss.

Training

We are currently delivering training which covers the differences between Building Code 2013 and Building Code 2016 using the video conference facilities. If you have not yet participated in one of these sessions you should expect to receive an invite in the coming weeks. If you or your team feel they need specific training, please contact Ben Young to make the necessary arrangements.

Building Code Self Audits

Hutchies has recently committed to compulsory self-audits to be completed a few times per year. The first rounds of these is to be completed this month and it applies to all active projects. Please ensure you project completes the self-audit over the next week and returns it to Sammy Fisher. The self-audit can be completed electronically or by hard copy.

Other points of note

Subcontract agreements

Remember to always use the updated subcontract agreements from Hutchies’ Document Library.

Non-citizens

The Code has specific requirements for builders or subbies wishing to engage non Australian citizens – if you are considering a new recruit that is not an Australian citizens and on any kind of visa, please contact Ben Young to discuss.

Delegates

Projects with Delegates are reminded that the Code requires Delegates to have a role outside of their delegate responsibilities – please contact Ben Young if you need to discuss.

Security of Payments

Hutchies has a requirement to report all payment disputes to the ABCC – if you have a dispute that is likely to be referred to adjudication please contact Ben Young and Owen Valmadre to discuss.

Reporting of Stop work events

Hutchies has a requirement to report any industrial action on our projects. That is any stoppage that is not authorised or related to a legitimate concern for Health and Safety. If you have works stop on your project, please contact Ben Young on the day of the stoppage to discuss whether the stoppage is classified as industrial action.

Questions

If you need additional support, please contact Ben Young

Phone 0400 577 953
Email ben.young@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au

Other Recent Activities

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30 October / Quality Alert

Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage will be banned

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

The industry is shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica-related diseases. Although the consultations are under way and there has been no official announcement by Federal or State Governments on the issue, the health and safety risks along with the uncertainty around this issue warrants a decision to ban all engineered products entering job sites nationally. The ban will take effect on 1July 2024 and will extend to ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage.

An update to this alert will be provided before the end of the year when the Federal and State Governments are expected to issue a formal decision on the ban. In the meantime, to mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform the clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product. Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Product alternatives going forward include:

Compact Laminates

Under 1% silica content
Extremely competitive pricing
Only comes in 12mm thickness
Heat resistance is an issue
Product not suitable for high end applications

Porcelain Surfaces

Under 10% silica content
Price dependant of product and supplier
Large variety of colours and thicknesses (4, 8, 12, 20 and 30mm)
Great resistance to staining, scratches, UV and heat
Good warranty terms

Acrylic Solid Surfaces

0% silica content
More expensive alternative
Limited thickness availability
UV stable and heat resistant but direct heat exposure not advised
Minimising wastage through flexibility in sheet sizing
Seamless joints

Natural Stone*

Various silica content percentages
Variety of products at different price points available
Ongoing maintenance may be an issue
Unlikely to satisfy specific warranty requirements

*Although this alert does not directly impact natural stone, some types have high silica content so risk of using these on projects should be considered carefully.

For an up-to-date list of available products and their usability, click here.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact the Quality Team:

Phone 1300 HUTCHIES
Email QualityTeam@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au

10 October / Update

Installation Details for Elephant's Foot & Wastech Bin Chutes

Make sure bin chute systems are installed correctly, following the tested systems and the manufacturers’ instructions.

Check the detailed drawings from Elephant’s Foot and Wastech for different wall types (plasterboard, shaft-liner, speed panel, concrete, Hebel, and masonry).

Any changes to the tested systems must be approved by your project certifier, signed off by the fire engineer in the fire engineering report (FER), and accepted by the relevant state / territory fire service.