QLD

QLD BRANCH REPORT

Branch activities have been someone quiet as COVID-19 still keeps a grip on our day to day lives. Despite the fact that COVID-19 has made some of our hospitals acutely aware of our own short comings when it comes to dealing with a global pandemic, it was good to see the IHEA was there at the forefront to provide a platform for a robust discussion on several topics.

QBCC Mechanical Services Licenses

One topic that is of concern to us in QLD is the government changes introduced last year that requires certain licensing to work on Medical Gas and HVAC systems. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) manages this licensing as part of Mechanical Services Licensing (Plumbing, Air conditioning and Refrigeration and Medical gases). Unfortunately, the IHEA and many relevant contractors were not fully involved in the consultation process.

IHEA QLD members raised their concerns of the impact this licensing back in February 2020, where the Branch hosted a PD session which included presentations from the QBCC and industry specialists. For those unable to attend, the presentation is posted in the members section of the IHEA website.

In discussions with medical gas suppliers, installers and hospitals, it has been noted that there are ongoing concerns about the licensing requirements. In September 2020, the Queensland Branch initially hosted a discussion specifically for branch health provider members with a follow-up session held in November 2020 for all branch members and industry experts – these sessions aimed to collate the information we have discussed on gaps in the legislation. Feedback (including proposed licensing recommendations) to the QBCC and the Queensland Government is currently being considered. Current issues being faced in the industry include:

• recognition of prior experience • recognition of all relevant trades and qualifications • the requirement for restricted licenses to remain as an ongoing option • recent changes to legislation impacting the options for contractors and equipment manufacturers • licensing requirements for equipment that utilises multiple services (e.g. medical pendants)

Thank you to BOC for hosting the session on their premises in Rocklea, Queensland.

Collectively, the group will continue to prepare a response and recommendations back through to QBCC.

New Members

Membership has been bolstered with a number of new members and I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Mark Cramond and Adam Pitman from AdamAir, Graeme McLeish from QED, and Travis Stanton and Liam Callaghan from Lucid Consulting.

Committee of Management

President Vice President Treasurer Secretary State National Board Rep COM

Adrian Duff Brett Nickels Michael Ward Danny Tincknell Brett Nickels Christopher Ansley-Hartwell, Artur Melnitsenko, Darren Williams, David Gray, David Smith, Cliff Pollock, Peter White, Kevin Eaton, Mark Fasiolo

If you would like to communicate with the QLD Branch via email, please do so at ihea.qld@ihea.org.au

Adrian Duff – President, QLD Branch