21 September 2020 / COVID-19

Personal Hygiene

We Wash Here

Cases of influenza (the flu) and other similar illnesses are much lower than average across Australia this year. This is believed to be as a result of the COVID-19 preventative measures we’ve all made part of our daily habits. Central to this is social distancing, which we covered last week, and practising good personal hygiene.

The below practical measures are central to maintaining good hygiene and continuing to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds – including before and after eating or using the bathroom
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser when you can’t use soap and water – especially after touching a shared surface (ie door handle)
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth – or other people
  • Cover a cough or sneeze – use your elbow or a tissue
  • Dispose of tissues safely in the bin and wash your hands after
  • Wash body, hair (including facial hair), clothes and reusable masks daily
  • Don’t use alcohol-free sanitiser – there is no medical evidence it works against viruses like COVID-19
  • Avoid close contact with people who are unwell
  • Try to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others and avoid crowded places, or wear a mask if in a crowded space such as public transport
  • If you are unwell, stay home and get tested
  • Ensure Hutchies’ hygiene posters are displayed around sites and offices to encourage regular hand washing
  • Place Hutchies’ stickers on the backs of cubicle doors, on walls in bathrooms or around kitchens as visual reminders
  • Provide facilities around sites and offices to enable good personal hygiene – such as access to sinks with soap or hand sanitiser stations (ie in meeting / crib rooms, work areas etc)

Regular reminders and communication of these important preventative measures will help to keep everyone safe, prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep construction sites open.

Hutchies' COVID-19 Resources

Examples

The Benefits

Viruses can be active outside the body for hours, even days. Disinfectants, liquids, wipes, gels and creams containing alcohol are all useful at getting rid of them – but they are not quite as good as just soap and water.

The virus has a lipid (fatty) layer, which soap dissolves very easily. Once soap combines with the virus, it falls apart and becomes inactive. This is because soap also contains fat-like substances, some of which are structurally very similar to the virus. These soap molecules “compete” with the virus which breaks it down. This is also how soap removes normal dirt from the skin.

Support

If you need help, reach out

Hutchies HelpCOVID-19 Health InformationEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)
Reporting potential cases or general Hutchies advice.
Hutchies' COVID-19 Hotline
Phone 07 3335 5015
Email coronavirus@hutchies.com.au		This hotline can provide guidance if you have questions about COVID-19.

Australian Government COVID-19 Hotline
Phone 1800 020 080 (24x7)
This confidential service is open to Hutchies' people and immediate family members.

Converge International
Phone 1800 687 327


For general information on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), call the Australian Government's Coronavirus Health Info Line on 1800 020 080.

For the latest updates on COVID-19 in Australia, visit:

Australian Governmenthttps://l.hutchi.es/AusHealth
Smart Travellerhttps://l.hutchi.es/SmartTravel
New South Waleshttps://l.hutchi.es/cvNSW
Northern Territoryhttps://l.hutchi.es/cvNT
Queenslandhttps://l.hutchi.es/cvQLD
South Australiahttps://l.hutchi.es/cvSA
Tasmaniahttps://l.hutchi.es/cvTAS
Victoriahttps://l.hutchi.es/cvVIC

Mental Health

Hutchies has also created a resource to help maintain positive mental health during what has been a tough year for everyone.

Read More

Other Recent Activities

View all activities
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

View More
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.

View More