Update on Bricklaying Apprentices.
Commencements:
Apprenticeship | To 31st December 2020 | To 31st December 2021 | % variation |
Bricklaying | 213 | 252 3 F | +18.31% |
Completions:
Apprenticeship | To 31st December 2020 | To 31st December 2021 | % variation |
Bricklaying | 128 | 118 | -7.81% |
MCA Annual Awards & Dinner – Change of Date
The MCA Executive have made the decision to move the Annual Awards & Dinner which was to be held on Friday 29 October 2021 to next year due to the current COVID lockdown and restrictions.
The change of date for the MCA Annual Awards & Dinner is now on Friday 4 November 2022 at Doltone House – Jones Bay Wharf.
A big Thank You to those that have sent in their Award Entries already, these will be held over for the Awards Night on Friday 4 November 2022.
Free PD courses The online PD courses available on the Construct NSW website have been made free during this period of lockdown for the construction industry, normally $140.00 ea. You may want to complete some PD courses while not working. For more information visit: https://training.tafensw.edu.au/constructnsw/
Attention MCA Sponsor / Contractor Members, URGENT COVID-19 UPDATE Members are advised that the NSW State Government has issued an updated Health Order which became effective today. Please see attached MBA NSW e-circulars:
PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID-19 TEMPORARY MOVEMENT AND GATHERING RESTRICTIONS) AMENDMENT (NO.6) ORDER 2021
SafetyCast Dear Valued Stakeholders, Did you know, it is estimated that the cost of mental health issues to NSW employers is about $2.8 million a year. Research also suggests that businesses that invest in workplace mental health programs could gain more than $4 for every $1 invested as a result of improvements to productivity and reductions in absenteeism. In this episode of the SafetyCast, Ryan Tinker discusses Mental Health in Construction with State Inspector Ian Firth. Find the Full episode at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1344256/8198522 The Take 5 at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1344256/8198529
Industry Update - Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) Industry Update June 2021 – The Sanctions Edition Click here to read more… Industry Update – May 2021 Edition Click here to read more… Membership of a union or employer association is your choice. We also give you the chance to help shape future Industry Updates by taking part in our two minute survey. Click here to read more… Click here to read more… Click here to read more…
Commercial Drone Registration Becomes Mandatory Members are advised that there is less than a week before employers in the Building and Construction Industry risk fines for flying unregistered drones or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in Australia. From 28 January 2021, any RPA flown for work or on behalf of an employer must be registered with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) – no matter how much it weighs. Click the below link Commercial Drone Registration Becomes Mandatory for further information on requirements and penalties for flying without an accreditation.
Industry Reference Group (IRG) Supporting the Development of the Managing Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure in the Construction Industry Code of Practice (the Code) Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Office of Industrial Relations has been encouraged by the progress made with the Steering Group and the (IRG). The Steering Group has now met three times, on 17 May, 28 July and 25 November 2020, to consider key issues for the development of the Code. The input from the IRG, including the feedback provided on the construction materials, tasks and workplace scenarios etc. of particular concern or importance for your work, has been of great assistance in this process by helping us to ensure that a diverse range of views from across the industry are supporting the development of the Code. At the latest meeting, the Steering Group reviewed a proposed scheme for determining the controls and associated requirements for a wide range of common construction tasks. This proposed scheme will be subject to further consideration in early 2021 and will lead to drafts of the Code that we expect will be shared with the IRG next year. The Office of Industrial Relations has now extended the scope of the Code beyond the initial definition of ‘construction work’ in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. The extended scope means the Code will also apply to the manufacturing of construction elements, including where the manufacturing of construction elements (e.g. bricks, tiles, glass) occurs separately from a construction site and for general construction retail purposes. This change recognises the large number of materials containing respirable crystalline silica that are manufactured for use across the construction industry, and is considered appropriate to ensure all Queensland workers manufacturing construction materials are protected from the significant risks posed by exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The membership of the IRG has now been extended to include additional key organisations involved in the manufacturing of construction elements. Rebekah Jensen
Manager, Work & Electrical Safety Policy
Office of Industrial Relations
Street: 1 William St Brisbane
Post: GPO Box 69 Brisbane Qld 4001
P: (07) 3406 9885
E: rebekah.jensen@oir.qld.gov.au
W: www.worksafe.qld.gov.au
SafeWork NSW – Mentally Healthy Workplaces Please find attached a flyer and frequently asked questions regarding “Mental Health at Work” and “Managing for Team Wellbeing” online interactive training for businesses with less than 200 employees. The training is free and run by Black Dog Institute, in partnership with the NSW Government. To sign up, see the attached flyer and FAQs. Flyer 1: Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program Summary FAQS [Download] Construction Services Group
Flyer 2: Mentally Healthy Workplaces Free Program Flyer [Download]
SafeWork NSW
p 13 10 50
e construction@safework.nsw.gov.au
92-100 Donnision St, Gosford NSW 2250
Locked Bag 2906, Lisarow NSW 2252
www.safework.nsw.gov.au
SafeWork NSW – Safe Work Month is about Everyone’s Health and Safety October is national Safe Work Month – a time to increase focus on improving work health and safety in your workplace, including the wellbeing of your employees. With over 3.2 million workers in NSW, Safe Work Month provides you with an opportunity to build awareness of work health and safety and encourage discussion about safety at work in your workplace. Did you know the construction industry is one of NSW’s highest risk industries? Every year thousands of workers are injured on construction sites as a result of easily preventable incidents. Some workers lose their lives; others suffer serious and debilitating ill health. It is important to manage risks associated with construction work. While construction sites have many risks, they can be easily managed without significant costs to the business. Help make Health and Safety a Priority on your Worksite We are supporting managers within the construction industry this year with the launch of a series of free Construction Site Supervisors Virtual Workshops to show how straightforward managing safety in construction can be. The first workshop will focus on understanding your obligations for managing WHS at the worksite. Every month a new module will be released, so register now to reserve your spot or continue to keep checking the SafeWork NSW – Events page. Working at Heights Throughout Safe Work month and beyond, SafeWork Inspectors are targeting working at heights safety in the construction industry. If you want to find out more about the program and what you can do to make your site safe, simply visit our working at heights resource page. Help us Spread the Word about Safe Work Month We’ve developed a communications pack to help you get involved in Safe Work Month. You can use this pack to share the Safe Work Month message throughout your workplace and to your contacts. You can find out more about Safe Work Month by visiting our website or if you have any queries relating to the Safe Work Month, please email us at HRWSET@safework.nsw.gov.au. High Risk Work & Stakeholder Engagements Team Construction Services Group Stakeholder Pack PDF file [Download]
SafeWork NSW
p 13 10 50
e hrwset@safework.nsw.gov.au
Construct NSW and the Office of the Building Commissioner (OBC) Milestones This is a big week for the Construct NSW and the Office of the Building Commissioner (OBC) with the following milestones arising: Summary information is below for Members: Developers Must Provide Advance Notice of Class 2 Building Completion Inspectors Have More Powers Reporting a Defect Developers to Lodge Strata Bonds through the NSW Planning Portal Training Available for People Involved in Audits NSW’s First Certifier Practice Standard being Published –> Media Release (NSW Government) – Download
New Bricklaying Qualifications
Brendan Coyle, MCA President, has been working with TAFE and the Government for over 3 years regarding the new Bricklaying Qualifications.
Brendan Coyle is also on the Masonry Structures Committee working with Standards Australia regarding proposed changes to the Elements and Performance Criteria to:
Masonry Contractors Association (MCA) are currently adding new resources to the Website for our Members to download. Please click on the below link and type in your email address and password:
https://masonrycontractors.com.au/resources/member-resources
“MCA Excellence in Brick and Blocklaying Awards and Dinner 2019”
Please don’t forget to review “Artibus Brick & Block” – Review
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Minimum wage increase – make sure you are paying the right rate New minimum wage increases apply from the first full pay period after 1 July 2019. Who do the new rates apply to? Employees who get their pay rates from: We are here to help For help understanding your wages obligations in the building and construction industry, visit wages and entitlements page or call on 1800 003 338. You can also find out more about the new rates through the Pay and Conditions Tool on the Fair Work Ombudsman website. Australian Apprenticeships Federal Budget 2019 – AA website fact sheet What is the Additional Identified Skills Shortage Payment? Find out here…