Business

BUSINESSES HAVE YOUR SAY ON FUTURE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN LISMORE.

In May 2022, Lismore City Council released a discussion paper that presented a range of recommendations for growth and post-food recovery.

A total of 327 submissions were received after extensive online and face-to-face engagement activities were undertaken.

Council has incorporated this feedback and produced a Draft Growth and Realignment Strategy that sets out potential growth areas for residential, commercial and industrial land, as well as recommending a long-term planned retreat from the most high-risk food affected areas.

Council will be hosting a public forum at Invercauld House on Monday, 10 October from 5 - 6.30pm to discuss the strategy including: • How to re-invent the CBD to be ft for the future • Potential new commercial/residential mixed-use precinct in East Lismore (Golf Course site) • Potential mixed-use development precinct around SCU in East Lismore • Potential new industrial land locations identifed, including signifcant expansion of Goonellabah Industrial Precinct (Oliver Avenue). For more information or to register for the session visit: https://yoursay.lismore. nsw.gov.au/growthand-housing

PUT THE KETTLE ON FOR WORKPLACE ‘SAFETEA’ THIS OCTOBER

SafeWork NSW is urging workplaces to host a SafeTea event this October during National Safe Work Month.

Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann said Safe Work Month is the perfect time for businesses to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace, and a conversation with a cup of tea in person or online is a great place to start.

“The way we work has changed the past couple of years and our safety and wellbeing has never been more important,” Ms Mann said.

“Every workplace has risks. As part of National Safe Work Month, in October all businesses from accounting frms to construction are encouraged to host a SafeTea event at their workplace. So, grab a cuppa, gather your team, and start an important conversation about health and safety at work.

“SafeWork NSW has a range of SafeTea resources to download on the SafeWork NSW website including instructional posters to help drive conversations.

“This year’s theme is ‘Know safety, Work safely’. Last year in Australia 163 people died while doing their job. No job should be unsafe, and no death or injury is acceptable. This October is the perfect time to look at your workplace, understand the risks and make simple changes to improve safety because a safe and healthy workplace benefts everyone.”

ROOFTOP SOLAR INSTALL SAFETY UNDER SCRUTINY

Workers installing solar panels on rooftops can expect a visit from SafeWork NSW Inspectors, who are undertaking a six-month state-wide operation to ensure safety in this busy industry.

SafeWork NSW Executive Director Compliance & Dispute Resolution Matthew Press said this is the second time SafeWork Inspectors have targeted this activity with Inspectors visiting 286 solar panel installation sites in 2021, uncovering some alarming unsafe practices.

“The installation of solar photovoltaic systems on rooftops has increased markedly over recent years, due in part to government rebates, with NSW having installed most new rooftop solar panels in Australia in 2021,” Mr Press said.

“Solar retailers and installers have responsibilities under work health and safety laws to ensure workers are not at risk of falls from heights or contact with electricity, the two biggest safety risks the industry faces.

“Falls from heights is the biggest cause of traumatic fatalities on NSW construction sites, with most serious or fatal falls being from roofs, ladders or unsafe scaffolds – and from a height of four metres or less. That’s about the height of a single storey house.”

The safest protection against falls from heights when working on a roof is to use roof rails or scaffold. Solar rooftop installers must only use harnesses as a last resort when roof rails cannot be installed.

“It is of great concern that of the 286 inspections last year, 69 per cent of sites were only using harnesses or did not have fall protection at all. Of the sites using harnesses, 32 per cent did not have appropriate anchor points in place, and 50 per cent were not clipped on to anything. A further 26 per cent of sites did not have their ladder fxed at the top, nor did the ladder extend one metre past the landing space,” Mr Press said.

“The inspections also found that 27 per cent of sites did not place a lock on the main electrical switch or the meter box and 14 per cent did not adequately address the risk of overhead powerlines.

“Last year an Inspector observed a solar panel installation in progress with a worker at risk of falls of approximately 3.4 meters from a residential home, as the harness system in use was not connected properly. It was also found the means of access to the roof was not acceptable due to the ladder being unsecured.

“The risks are real. In January 2020, an apprentice electrician fractured his pelvis and back after falling more than three metres from a roof while installing solar panels at a construction site in Parklea. Later that year during another solar install, a 27-year-old roofng contractor fell more than three metres through the roof of a sheering shed fracturing his back, at a rural property in Alectown near Parkes.

“That is why SafeWork will have their boots on the ground, working with retailers and installers from now until the end of the year to ensure rooftop solar installers safety. Fines will be issued for non-compliance, with a zero-tolerance approach taken to falls risks. SafeWork has $1,000 rebates available for safety purchases which could prevent an incident and is a better investment than a $3,600 on-the-spot fne.”

A Guide to Solar Panel Safety and accompanying installers checklist is available to assist with controlling the risks. Visit www. safework.nsw.gov.au/ hazards-a-z/solar-panelinstallations

INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIP SET TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRADES WORKERS

The next generation of trades workers will be equipped with the skills fundamental to building the smart cities of the future, as part of the NSW Government’s revolutionary new TAFE NSW Institute of Applied Technology for Construction.

Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens today announced that Australasia’s leading construction company CPB Contractors and Western Sydney University will join forces with TAFE NSW to pioneer new ways of training at the state-of-theart $84 million facility at Kingswood.

“This innovative partnership will pave the way for students to merge the knowledge gained through university study with the hands-on practical and technical skills acquired through vocational education,” Mr Henskens said. “This is the future of skills and training and the NSW Government is leading the nation in investing in this critical infrastructure which will be a fagship educational centre, supporting the pipeline of major infrastructure projects which will grow the economy and help secure a brighter future for the people of NSW.” Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said together, these partners will revolutionise education and training in Western Sydney by creating industry-led and embedded training programs which will rapidly upskill the local construction workforce. “To have a leader in construction like CPB Contractors as a foundational industry partner for the IAT for Construction puts real muscle behind this venture and will ensure we have a sustainable workforce that will service Western Sydney’s fast-growing population now and into the future,” Mr Ayres said. Managing Director of CPB Contractors Jason Spears said he recognised the need for businesses to leave a lasting skills legacy through innovative collaboration with education providers. “We are seeing unprecedented levels of construction, and this state-of-the-art training facility will equip students with real-world skills to meet current workforce needs while futureproofng Australia’s construction capability,” Mr Spears said. “We are proud to work with TAFE NSW and Western Sydney University to build a new educational model and learning experience that is fexible, scalable, accessible, and promotes greater diversity of thought across the industry.” Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University Professor Barney Glover AO said the Institute will leverage the university’s world-leading expertise in engineering, smart construction, architecture, design, and advanced manufacturing. “This is an exciting new model for education and training. With this Institute, we will co-design and co-deliver highly fexible education programs that integrate researchled learning with advanced technical and industry-based skills,” Professor Glover said.