5 January 2021 / COVID-19

New Year, Same COVIDSafe Measures

Keeping COVIDSafe

The new year brings a renewed focus of staying vigilant in our fight against COVID-19. The measures Hutchies adopted last year remain the best ways to keep everyone safe and continue to be implemented across our sites and offices.

Different states and territories have also introduced new restrictions as a result of clusters that formed in New South Wales and Victoria. An overhaul of the Hutchies’ Toolbox coronavirus page has been completed, including summaries of each state and territory for your convenience. Please monitor and comply with any local requirements that may be applicable to you, including potential impacts to interstate travel.

Your individual effort contributes to keeping case numbers low. Part of our collective responsibility is ensuring that we each recognise coronavirus symptoms and get tested if we experience any of these (regardless of how mild they may be). 

Hutchies' COVIDSafe ResourcesStates & Territories StatusCOVID Updates

Status

> Hutchies’ sites and offices must continue implementing our measures

> Keep signing in to Hutchies’ offices and sites for contact tracing efforts

> Monitor and comply with any additional local restrictions

> Reconsider interstate travel and be prepared to get tested after flying

> Even with the mildest of symptoms, get tested immediately

> Monitor contact tracing lists daily in your state if there is an outbreak

> NSW has mandated masks in some indoor settings in areas of Sydney

> VIC has reintroduced masks in indoor settings across the state

> QLD has closed its borders to hotspots in and around Greater Sydney

> A QLD border pass is required for people from regional NSW

> VIC has a hard border closure to all of NSW

> NSW has active local rules in place for parts of Greater Sydney

> VIC also has active local rules in place for the whole state

> If you have travelled to NSW or VIC, consider getting tested ASAP

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Advice

As outbreaks continue to occur, Hutchies is tracking all state and territory updates across Australia daily. All relevant information is being provided to teams in affected areas, and updated on Hutchies’ Toolbox.

If you are unsure about any current restrictions or measures in place (including border controls), or need to know what is relevant to you or Hutchies’ broader workforce, feel free to contact us via coronavirus@hutchies.com.au. 

Ask a question

Tips to keep safe

To keep yourself and others safe, the Australian Government continues to encourage, where practicable, the below methods to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

Good Hygiene

Wash your hands often for 20 secs & use hand sanitiser in between

Coughs & Sneezes

Cover a cough or sneeze, wash your hands & dispose of any tissues safely

Don't Touch!

Avoid physical contact & don't touch your eyes, nose & mouth

Social Distance

Maintain 1.5 metres distance from people where practicable

Regular Cleaning

Clean work areas, common facilities (kitchens, bathrooms etc) & frequent touch points often

Symptoms

Stay home & get tested if you have the symptoms (even if you think it’s ‘just a cold’)

Follow Directions

Display, read and follow all of Hutchies’ posters and signage around sites and offices

Face Masks

In high risk situations or when you cannot social distance, wear a face mask

Stay Informed

Monitor Hutchies’ Toolbox for the latest information and advice

Symptoms

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. 

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:


Fever

Coughing

Shortness of Breath

Sore Throat


If you need advice, call Australia’s COVID hotline 1800 020 080 (24 x 7)

Symptom checker

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 1 July 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

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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.

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