11 October 2021 / COVID-19

NSW Restrictions Easing Today

70% double vaccination target achieved!

From today, Monday 11 October, a range of restrictions will change as a result of NSW achieving its 70% double vaccinated target last week.

This email update will focus on changes to restrictions settings that are relevant to the construction industry. For more information about other changes, click the button to read the NSW Government press release below. Get in touch with coronavirus@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au if you have any questions.

Reopening starts at 70%

Construction industry changes

The following changes will likely take a period of adjustment on site, especially in relation to those who were previously away from work due to being in an LGA of concern.

Hutchies will communicate further updates about these changes as more information is distributed by the NSW Government.

Removal of LGAs of concern

The major change to the construction industry is the removal of the Public Health Order (PHO) designating Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern which required workers from those areas to comply with rules around vaccination, testing and permits.

There is no longer any mandatory requirement for construction workers to be vaccinated in order to work on occupied or unoccupied construction sites. People entering site will no longer need to show evidence of their address.

Hutchies' declaration will stay in place

For the purposes of contact tracing, Hutchies will continue to utilise its declaration on all NSW sites to ensure that our teams can effectively maintain internal contact tracing processes. This means that anyone who enters a Hutchies' site must still sign in to both the Service NSW QR Code and Hutchies' declaration daily. The declaration has been updated to only request information necessary for contact tracing.

Other methods that sites have employed (eg Contact Harald) should also remain in place to assist with contact tracing.

Contact tracing changes

Contact tracing protocols have changed. Hutchies' Site Management Teams will follow the NSW Government guidelines in order to make contact tracing assessments when a positive case is detected on site.

Fully vaccinated people who are directly exposed to a positive case on site will no longer have to isolate for 14 days. Instead, fully vaccinated people who are exposed on site will now typically be considered casual or low risk contacts (as determined by Hutchies' Site Management).

Additionally, contact tracing will now be handled at a workplace level unless there are 3 positive cases on a site within a 7 day period. If this occurs, NSW Health must be contacted by the site management team.

For more information about new contact tracing protocols, click the below button.

NSW COVID Safe plans to be updated

Whilst we are still waiting for a new version of the NSW COVID Safe Plan, the NSW Government has confirmed they will remain in place for sites in Greater Sydney, Shellharbour and Central Coast and must be strictly adhered to on site.

Once the new plan has been released by the NSW Government, Hutchies will provide further guidance around processes and procedures that will need to be updated on our internal plans.

Density limits

For indoor areas of sites, 1 person per 4m2 applies.

For outdoor areas of sites, 1 person per 2m2 applies.

Masks

Masks remain mandatory for all indoor settings, including indoor areas of construction sites.

There are some exceptions for mask wearing when engaged in work:

if wearing the covering is a risk to the person’s, or another person’s, health and safety, or
if enunciation or visibility of the person’s mouth is essential, or
if the work is in an indoor area and no other person is in the area

Masks are no longer required whilst outdoors, including on a construction site.

Car pooling

Permitted for fully vaccinated adults.

Those not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household.

Travel between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW

Leisure trips between Sydney and Regional NSW are not permitted.

Travel between Sydney and Regional NSW is allowed for work purposes for any person. No permit required.

Getting tested

There may be more incidences of cases on site as a result of these reduced restrictions.

It is very important that you continue to get tested if you experience any symptoms regardless of your vaccination status.

COVID-19 can still be transmitted to others by fully vaccinated people, and this will predominantly affect those who are not vaccinated. Getting tested will continue to help minimise the spread of the virus.

If you test positive to COVID-19

You must self-isolate for 14 days regardless of your vaccination status and you will receive further advice along with your positive test result.

You must inform Hutchies (either directly or via your employer), household members, and people you have spent time in person with recently.

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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.