14 September 2020 / COVID-19

Social Distancing

We Social Distance Here

Until there is a vaccine for coronavirus, the medical advice is that social distancing is the best weapon we have in preventing the spread against COVID-19.

The below practical steps are the best ways to maintain social distancing:

  • Keep 1.5 metres distance from others where practicable
  • Don’t shake hands to greet others (elbow tap instead)
  • Avoid non-essential face-to-face meetings (hold meetings via video conferencing or phone calls instead)
  • Hold meetings outdoors (ie pre-starts / inductions / toolboxes etc)
  • Reduce the number of people in shared areas (lunch rooms, amenities etc) – remove chairs and mark out positions to keep people 1.5 metres apart
  • Reduce the number of people in hoists
  • Promote good hygiene for hands, sneezes and coughs
  • Eat lunch in your work space or outside rather than in the lunch room
  • Don’t congregate in shared areas unless 1.5 metres of space between each other can be achieved (or wear face masks instead)
  • Increase ventilation through open doors / windows or adjust air conditioning (with more regular maintenance of filters etc)
  • Don’t share food, lighters or pens etc with each other
  • Regularly disinfect surfaces that people touch (including handrails, bathrooms, shared tools etc)
  • Implement one way travel around sites where possible (ie up / down stairs, one way signage in tight corridors etc)
  • Clearly mark out queuing areas (such as entries, hoists etc) with lines or ‘X’ to spread people out
  • Mark out lunch room tables and remove excess chairs to avoid too many people in the crib room
  • Avoid crowds – if you see a crowded space, don’t enter (or wear a mask if you need to be there)
  • Stay at home if you are unwell with any cold or flu symptoms (and get tested) – notify your Team Leader 

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

Creating a physical distance between yourself and others is one of the easiest ways to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Although a lot is still unknown about how exactly the virus spreads, recent research has demonstrated that spacing out helps minimise risk. In fact, the more distance the better. 1.5m has been recognised in Australia as a baseline because it is reasonably practical for people to achieve and lines up with other research about other viruses.

This is because the virus is carried in what’s known as respiratory droplets, which enter the air after someone coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus is then spread to others who are in close proximity to the infected person.

Essentially, the closer you are physically to someone with COVID-19, the more likely you are to also become sick. This is also why hugs and handshakes should be avoided at the moment, and masks should be worn when you are unable to physically unable to stand less than 1.5m from others.

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

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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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