Master Plumber Western Australia - Autumn 2017

PLUMBER T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E M A S T E R P L U M B E R S & G A S F I T T E R S A S S O C I AT I O N O F WA

MASTER

ISSUE 17 | AUTUMN 2017

WORLD PLUMBING DAY Celebrating in style

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

STATE ELECTION FEATURE Hot water boost for Dick Johnson team Travel: Escape to Broome MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE | Issue 17 | Autumn 2017

CONTENTS

WA STATE ELECTION

18 State Election

29

What does the change of Government mean for the plumbing sector? We look at some key issues.

There’s many good reasons to celebrate on World Plumbing Day. A day at the races was just the ticket.

Close enough for a quick getaway but far enough to escape, our Broome deal could be exactly what you need.

4 Editorial

HEALTH & SAFETY

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

26 Good reason drives runner

38 Is your tool insurance up to date?

6 8

President’s Report MPGA Diary

NEWS & VIEWS 11 Rheem backs Dick Johnson’s racing team 13 Call for more action on remote communities plan

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS 22 Around the P traps

World Plumbing Day

all the way 27 Call for consistency on work

40 Redundancy survival guide

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

safety

PEOPLE

47 University opts for the best

36 Meet your executive: Peter Dawe 37 Retiree reflects on industry changes

48 New to instantaneous market 51

Locking on to height safety

LIFESTYLE 54 Puzzles

24 Plumbing challenge leads to further funding

Business Essentials

52 Escape to beautiful Broome

56 What the...?

Health & Safety

National & International News

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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EDITORIAL

MASTER PLUMBER TAKES A NEW TURN Welcome to the first edition of Master Plumber for 2017.

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he first thing you’ll notice is the changes in the magazine. There’s a fresh new look, a broader range of content and more pages. It’s all about remaining relevant in an age when many are claiming that print is dead.

Admittedly, we are cutting back to three issues this year. But the increase in overall circulation of Master Plumber would indicate the death to print doomsayers have it all wrong. Some may say we’re old school, but as plumbers, we’re a tactile bunch who understand the value of quality content targeted to our needs and interests.

Change is a common theme throughout this issue. We look at the potential changes a new State Government might bring about. From the MPGA’s perspective, the outlook is positive.

The Association has been lobbying for change across many areas of the industry for some time and, while the previous Government went into caretaker mode, the inaction was frustrating. We address some of those key issues in our State Election feature.

No one can deny that, in spite of that recent inaction on a handful of issues, there have been many changes across the plumbing sector over the decades. It’s something current and retired plumbers know only too well and we speak to a few of them on topics ranging from safety, to heavy lifting, to opportunities post-resources boom.

Around the world, the industry celebrated our annual World Plumbing Day on March 11. Once again, the MPGA did it in style with members, their families and friends, and staff frocking up for a day at the Ascot races. Those in attendance may well have many stories from the day. But as the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words so

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we’ve elected to record all the fun in a seven-page photographic feature.

As much as we may like to at times, Western Australia’s plumbing sector can’t operate in isolation. We look outward in “Around the P Traps” to see what’s happening across the AustraliaNew Zealand region. We also check in with the organisers of last year’s Community Plumbing Challenge in South Africa following a recent grant from the Australian Government to assist with their next steps to help a struggling community near Johannesburg.

We all know there should be more to life than plumbing. Turn to our Broome getaway feature for something far more leisurely, courtesy of new partners Globetrotter Travel. If you’re looking for a break, our friends at Globetrotter have a range of special offers for members and their families. But if travel’s not on the agenda right now, how about a few puzzles? You’ll find them towards the back of this issue.

Of course there are some things that shouldn’t change. It’s been a while since the last issue of Master Plumber so there’s been plenty of time to gather together photos of the bizarre, extraordinary and just plain wrong for a double page “What The…?” special.

As with any new and revamped product, we expect to finesse things over time and welcome your letters, thoughts and feedback to newsroom@ mpawa.asn.au. It’s been fun putting this edition together and we look forward to bringing you the next issue of Master Plumber mid-year.

Happy reading!

The Editor

PUBLISHER: Master Plumbers & Gasfitters Association of Western Australia EDITING & DESIGN: Spoke Public Relations E: hello@spokepr.com.au ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: advertising@mpawa.asn.au EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: newsroom@mpawa.asn.au Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 5216, Victoria Park, WA 6981 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: Level 3, 353 Shepperton Rd, East Victoria Park, WA 6101 PH: (08) 9471 6661 FAX: (08) 9471 6663 WEB: www.masterplumbers.asn.au MPGA OFFICE BEARERS: President: Geoff Kelly Vice President: Ron Grant Immediate Past President: Bill Busby CEO: Murray Thomas EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Derek Rowe, Paul O’Leary, Paul Manifis, Matt Johnson, Steve Swan, Max Jones, Michael Harley, Peter Dawe, Mark Sadler Disclaimer: While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication, no responsibility is taken, unless expressly indicated, by the Master Plumbers & Gasfitters Association of WA for any inaccuracies.

Inclusion of opinions, statements and comments does not constitute endorsement by the MPGA or related entities of such content.

Content within this publication is protected

by Australian copyright law and may not be reproduced without express written permission by an office bearer or delegate of the MPGA.

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

TIPS FROM PAUL FUNNELL

Preparing Progress Claims

Year of change at every level

Progress claims are tax invoices submitted to The formula for calculating the overall percentage claimed to date is: the customer or builder and represent a claim Amount claimed = $27,970.00 for payment on an agreed regular basis for work x 100 completed. It is important to set out the claim in series profiling our executive uch has changed since the issue can get to theorbusiness lobbying Totalofcontract value of=a regular $63,750.00 accordance withlast the requirements ofback the state committee – see page 37. of Master Plumber. to protect the longregion where the claim is to for be improvement processed. (See = 43.88% The should industrybe continues evolve at acustomer / It is fitting thatyour we trade bring association you a new for details). term sustainability of our A profession progress and claim certificate lodgedtowith the rate, in the state, andto globally. look magazine toBased accompany changes thatensuring public the number on thethe assumption the project hashealth an isbuilder, whichone providesrapid an opportunity for annationally agreement be reached.

Paul Funnell With moves the continuing implement that have occurred for thetender State atprice, a priority.

The team certainly some which also agreed the progress claims will be The faces certificate includes value oftoretention to be withheld proportional the completed workexecutive at a given time.busy A progress consistent legislation and politicaltolevel, for the MPGA’s months claim aheadisas we seek to drive the for anationally becomes the basis tax invoice. not associated with the expenditure which has occurred, such as the cost with various plumbing committee, and for the industry as it Association’s agenda the Premier There is a link and betweenregulation, progress the claims andstate-based gross profit, although they of materials andto the labour costs for installing those materials; rather it is are viewed separately. associations and Master Plumbers Australia continues evolve. new Ministers. an assessment of the completed work at an agreed date. The competed have plenty do to ensure interests of claim to Voters sent a clear message that the former Speaking of the team, wegross bid farewell to a project The profit for or forto a section of thethe project is the work is expressed as a percentage. are duly represented.

State Government had run its race. Labor’s Bob Goodchild from thedate MPGA Executive minus the sum of the the industry expenses.

Whenlandslide estimating a project, consideration should given to theOn layout It is a timely reminder of the value of victory indicates that irrespective of beCommittee. behalf of the committee for future progress claims. Houses may be in four (4) stages, under slab, That is the sum of material costs, labour costs and other expenses, industryclaim associations such as thesection MPGAofand traditional political views, many people must and membership, I would like to thank subtracted from the progress for the particular work. hot and cold water installations, external drainage and finishing off. While their role in presenting a united voice for have been ready for change.

Bob for his years of dedicated service and For example: commercial projects are based on the percentage of work completed plumbers. Change is good for all industries, It remains section, to be seen how the continued support. for each individual sanitary plumbing, cold water, hot water, gas Sanitary plumbing in the above example is, $11,200.00 and the claim is but without due representation and McGowan Government can revitalise or We welcome new committee members services, fire services, house drainage and stormwater drainage. for 60% ($6,720.00). influence, there’s a risk that business owners even reinventclaim somemay of WA’s strugglingas follows: Mark Both A typical progress be presented - Sadler and Peter Dawe.

If the expenses to date are $6,900.00 a loss of $180.00 is being their employees could suffer. industries, generate positive jobs growth bring some youthful enthusiasm to the experienced. However,and if the expenses are $5,500.00 a profit of $1,220.00 Item Contract Claim Amount We look forward to continuing to to ensure and start steering the economy back in the committee. But they alsois bring significant recorded.

It is therefore important to submit accurate claims, Sanitary Fixtures $22,500 20% $ 4,500 the interests of our members, our right direction. But often it is change itself experience in the industry, thehaving projectworked reports are represent also accurate.

Sanitary Plumbing $11,200 60% $ 6,720 industry the for wellbeing of the public. that acts as a catalyst for things to spark as plumbing contractorsProgress across the claims State, provide cashand flow the company, ensure they Cold Water Services $ 9,650 100% $ 9,650 back to life. run their own businessesare andsubmitted worked with on time, accurate and backed up with the correct Hot Water Servicesnow that $ 8,000 Certainly our political50% leaders $ 4,000 other key WA organisations.

You can find Geoff Kelly documentation. are out of caretaker$12,400 mode, the MPGA out more about Peter Dawe the first President, MPGA Drainage 25% $ 3,100 Paul in Funnell OAM Total $63,750 43.88% $ 27,970

M

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MPGA DIARY

ABCB AND PLUMBING CODE OF AUSTRALIA MPGA CEO Murray Thomas is the national representative on building and plumbing matters with the ABCB Board. He attended the latest forum in Tasmania recently, where various items under the Plumbing Code of Australia and National Construction Code were discussed.

See the ABCB website at www.abcb. gov.au for more details.

MPGA members can also download a copy of the Plumbing Code of Australia from the members’ area of the MPGA website www. masterplumbers.asn.au.

Behind the scenes work keeps MPGA team busy

T

here is much work undertaken by the MPGA executive management and staff that goes largely unreported.

In many cases, particularly when it comes to working with State and Federal Governments, there are confidentiality arrangements that prevent the MPGA revealing too much.

But as we move forward, we’ll endeavour to provide more details on the activities and discussions taking place.

PLUMBING INDUSTRY REFERENCE GROUP The PIRG, made up of members for across industry, State Government, the training sector and other stakeholder industry groups, met on 2 March to address a broad range of items and issues. MPGA President Geoff Kelly attended. Key topics included: Watermark Certification Scheme updates: The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) will release a new Watermark Scheme manual, to come into effect on 1 July 2017, outlining the development of new specifications and transition requirements for existing products. In addition, the

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MPGA remains very active in pushing for point-of-sale legislation preventing the sale of non-compliant products.

Fire hose reels: The ABCB will release a final Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) regarding removal of the requirement for fire hose reels in some buildings.

Other ABCB RIS documents: The ABCB is also releasing final RIS documents on thermostatic mixing valves; legionella testing requirements and current and future training requirements.

Other issues discussed: The PIRG also tabled and discussed the issue of lead contamination at the new Perth Children’s Hospital, issues with plumbing licensing and training consistency (including alternative pathways into plumbing for overseas apprentices, and specific backflow prevention issues, which were deferred to the Building Commission.

More details on these and other items will be published as the year progresses.

OTHER ACTIVITIES  Murray Thomas represents WA on the Board of Master Plumbers Australia. He attended the national body’s meeting in Adelaide in February, where agenda items included many of the same items raised at the PIRG meeting.

MPA acts in a similar way to the MPGA but with a focus on Federal Government lobbying and issues impacting the plumbing industry at a national level.  Murray Thomas attended an industry stakeholder planning workshop recently to discuss issues that will be included in a report to be tabled with Board of the Construction Industry Training Fund.  Bob Goodchild represents the MPGA with the Plumbers Licensing Board. Details of the PLB’s terms of reference are available at www. commerce.wa.gov.au/buildingcommission/plumbers-licensingboard.  Geoff Kelly represents the interests of the plumbing industry with the plumbing sector with the State’s Electrical Licensing Board. Further details can be found at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/ energysafety.

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VALSIR FEATURE

ntries

NEWS & VIEWS

and

Approval of a gas-fired coffee bean roaster

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When a member was asked to install an imported coffee roaster recently, they turned to the MPGA seeking advice on the correct steps for dealing with nonstandard or unapproved appliance.

It was a case requiring input from the Department of Commerce’s EnergySafety division. Chief Gas Inspector KEVIN HOOPER explains.

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coffee roaster is a Type B gas appliance as defined in the s13d of The Gas Standards Act 1972.

A Type B gas appliance has a maximum hourly input rating exceeding 10 megajoules, but is neither a Type A appliance nor a mobile engine.

The following outlines the stages involved in approving a Type B gas appliance.

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STAGE 1 – APPROVAL FOR INSTALLATION Generally, an industrial gas appliance requires individual approval in writing by an inspector. This requires the owner/operator to satisfy a Type B gas appliance inspector, through a technical submission (a desk top appraisal) that the appliance will satisfy the technical standards required by the regulations. If successful, an Approval for Installation is issued.

STAGE 2 – INSTALLATION After obtaining approval for installation, the Type B gas appliance can be installed.

STAGE 3 – COMPLIANCE DEMONSTRATION This stage requires an on-site demonstration to the Type B gas appliance inspector that the installed appliance complies with all technical and safety requirements - for example, checks on the combustion process, safety controls/interlocks and flueing.

The Type B gas appliance inspector issues a certificate of compliance when satisfied that the installation meets prescribed requirements. This is done in accordance with Regulation 22A(1) which states: “An inspector may issue a certificate of compliance for a Type B gas appliance if the inspector has inspected the appliance and ascertained, so far as practicable, that it complies with the requirements referred to in Regulation 32.”

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MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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Once a certificate of compliance is issued by the inspector, the appliance is allowed to be connected to the gas supply for permanent operation subject to the approval of the gas supplier.

This usually involves an inspection of the total gas installation by the gas supplier.

Note that only gasfitters holding a gasfitting permit Class I are able to work on Type B gas appliances.

NEWS & VIEWS

RHEEM HELPS RACE TEAM HIT THE GAS

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heem– an Australian icon when it comes to hot water – has thrown its support behind another Australian icon in a sponsorship deal with the Dick Johnson co-owned Shell V-Power Racing Team.

The #12 and #17 Team Fords are prominently displaying the Rheem logo for all 15-rounds of the 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

“This sponsorship deal represents a rare opportunity to be associated with one of the most enduring legends of Australian motorsport,” says Rheem Australia Chief Operating Officer, Chris Taylor.

“Getting behind sport has always been important to Rheem, and with the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship being one of the most popular attractions on the Australian sporting calendar, the move

to link up with an amazing team like the Shell V-Power Racing Team was a logical decision,” he said.

“We continue to thoroughly enjoy our ongoing involvement with other national sporting staples such as the NRL and AFL, and we’re looking forward to connecting with a whole new fan demographic around the country.”

Johnson says the involvement of Rheem Australia with the team is a fantastic boost for the team.

“Rheem has a proud history of Australian manufacturing and ties in perfectly with our team that holds a special place in Australian motorsport history,” he said. “We’re looking forward to a long and

fruitful partnership between Rheem and the Shell V-Power Racing Team.”

With seven Australian Touring Car Championships and three Bathurst 1000 victories to its credit, there’s no doubt that the Shell V-Power Racing Team will provide a captivating platform for the Rheem Australia brand. In 2017, the team’s Ford Falcons will be piloted by the highly-experienced duo of Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin.

“We’re excited to be supporting two talented drivers who have a real chance of taking race wins and being up the front of the championship,” added Taylor.

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NEWS & VIEWS

ATCO stresses need for care near gas infrastructure

F

ollowing a number of recent incidents involving gas infrastructure, ATCO AUSTRALIA urges service providers to be mindful of underground assets.

ATCO Gas Australia would like to remind all plumbers and gasfitters of the safety benefits of locating underground

assets when conducting work in front of residential properties.

In some cases, individuals using oxyacetylene torches have ruptured unseen gas assets, resulting in the releasing gas igniting on the naked flame.

In other cases, individuals have attempted to remove underground obstructions, such as tree roots with hand saws without fully exposing the obstruction. This has resulted in the saw penetrating the soil and impacting the unexposed asset.

These types of incident could have

BADGES OF HONOUR: Rheem’s Paul McInnes with Shane Foster and some of his hot water system collection.

Plumber chases some

hotties

Some people collect cars. Others collect bikes, stamps, or coins. Shane Foster collects water heaters.

“IT’S A BIT like collecting old cars,” he saids when quizzed about his unusual collection.

The NSW-based plumber has been collecting water heaters for nearly 30 years and recently added another prize to his collection – the six millionth heater to roll off the production line at Rheem Australia’s Rydalmere factory.

Shane started his collection in 1988 and now has around 20 complete heaters dating back to the 1950s, as well as up to 150 badges from as far back as the Second World War. “Over the years, I’ve replaced hundreds of very old water heaters, Rheem mainly, but also old brands such as Braemar, Swiftsure and Langco that aren’t made anymore,” Shane said.

“Once they started to get rare, I began to keep some of them.“ Shane was presented with the six millionth Rheem system - a Stellar - at a special presentation.

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“We’re very pleased the system has gone to a good home,” said Paul McInnes, Rheem’s General Manager Sales.

“This year is our 80th anniversary since we began manufacturing in Australia, so it’s great to have an aficionado like Shane to help maintain Rheem’s history.”

The oldest badge Shane has is from a Rheem water heater from the early 1940s, which stated “constructed of permitted wartime material” on the tank.

“The old metal badges were pretty cool, but they were replaced by stickers in the early 1980s so it’s harder to find interesting bits and pieces for the collection,” says Shane.

Shane bought the three millionth Rheem hot water system in December 2005, and tried to get the fourth and fifth millionth systems but missed out.

So how did Shane come to be the proud owner of the six millionth Rheem heater?

“I just watched the serial numbers and, as it got close, I asked if I could have it,” he said.

been prevented if operators were aware of the location of these underground assets and had taken suitable precautions.

What precautions can I take to help prevent striking underground assets?

You should always check the location of all underground assets in your work area prior to commencing work by utilising the four Ps of safe excavation: PLAN Plan the job. Use the Dial Before You Dig service before commencing your job to ensure you have the correct information to carry out a safe project.

POTHOLE Potholing (hand digging) is a method to help establish the exact location of all underground infrastructure.

PROTECT Protecting and supporting exposed infrastructure is the responsibility of the excavator.

PROCEED BUT only when you have planned, potholed and put protective measures in place.

If gas is connected to the residence, a gas meter box will be connected to the front of, or near the front of the property.

The gas service is typically laid at right angles to the gas main in the street and any variations to this should be detailed on the service information sticker inside the gas meter box.

Always use appropriate protective equipment such as heat shielding to protect other underground assets prior to commencing hot works.

Consider the use of alternative tooling to reduce the hazard, such as cutting pincers in place of hand saws, or mechanical press fit tools instead of oxy-torches.

By taking these steps you are not only helping to maintain the safety and integrity of WA’s critical underground assets, including the gas distribution network, but also saving a potential hit to your hip pocket.

Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure you know where underground assets are and that any response or repair costs associated with incidents in which an individual or company is found to be at fault can be recovered from that individual or company.

For more information please call the ATCO Gas Australia scheduling centre on 13 13 56.

: A sustainable, long-term approach is required for plumbing services in remote communities

FURTHER ACTION IMPLORED ON REMOTE COMMUNITIES PLUMBING PLAN

T

he WA State Government unveiled a plan in September last year to allow Environmental Health Workers to provide basic plumbing work in remote communities.

While the MPGA acknowledged the plan as a commonsense approach, it also warned that it was merely a bandaid approach to a long-term problem and implored those involved to develop a sustainable, long-term solution.

CEO Murray Thomas said the remoteness of such communities made travel by plumbing contractors for small maintenance tasks uneconomical.

“The result in many cases has been that plumbing issues are not dealt with in a timely manner, leading to significant health and environmental problems,” Mr Thomas said.

“Allowing specifically trained Environmental Health Workers to carry out low-risk emergency work is a sensible approach to overcoming immediate issues, but the MPGA sees this as a first step to addressing the issues caused by aging and poorly maintained plumbing systems.

“We believe that a holistic and well managed maintenance program is the only way to address these major issues.”

The MPGA has proposed to develop a staged Preventative Maintenance Program, operated in partnership with Government and health professionals.

The program would involve identification of upgrade requirements as well as regular maintenance visits to communities with appropriate remuneration for visiting tradespeople.

“We also propose to deliver appropriate training to the community-based Environmental Health Workers to help them identify, classify and prioritise plumbing requirements,” Mr Thomas said.

“A long-term strategy to ensure plumbing systems are properly installed and regularly maintained by trained professionals should be implemented. Community engagement is vital to build knowledge through workshops and training sessions.

“We have held discussions with various parties at State and national levels regarding development and delivery of the program and hope now with the election over that there’s an opportunity to make some real progress in this area.”

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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NEWS & VIEWS

ABCB seeks input on hot water regulation

T

he Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is calling for input into hot water regulation and its impact on scalding injuries and fatalities.

Temperature control devices, limiting hot water supply to 50C at the outlet, have been required for new dwelling hot water systems in Australia since 1996. However, only in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory are they required for replacement systems in existing dwellings.

In all other jurisdictions, “like for like” replacement is allowed, meaning if a system being replaced has no temperature control device fitted, it is not required for a new system.

The ABCB has released a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) to consider whether current regulation - and, in particular, the inconsistencies regarding replacement services between the states and territories – is having a measurable impact on scalding incidents.

Based on feedback to the RIS, the ABCB is seeking to amend the Plumbing Code of Australia to require all replacement water heaters to be tempered to 50C. This adheres to the goal of the National Construction Code to enable the achievement of nationally consistent, minimum necessary standards of relevant safety.

Research shows the chances of scalding increase significantly from five minutes at 50C to five seconds at 60C. Since the introduction of the regulation in 1996, there has been a marked decrease in the overall number of scalding incidents nationwide. But data may be inconsistent and the ABCB is seeking additional

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input to determine if it corresponds to the jurisdictions that allow like for like replacement.

Data from the National Coronial Information System shows there were 59 fatalities from scalding between 2001 and 2013. The majority (59) of those occurred in homes, with a marked increase in incidents for people over the age of 70.

However, since 2001, there has been a consistent downward trend in the number of deaths. Statistics also show that fatalities by region relate to population rather than regulatory inconsistencies – which in most cases is contrary to the belief that these inconsistencies may be responsible.

But with more than 60 per cent of fatalities occurring at home for people over 70, the belief is that the number could be further reduced by regulating temperature to 50C in all cases.

For injuries, data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on scaldingrelated hospitalisations does not indicate the jurisdictional breakdown. It does show that the most susceptible to injury are children under five years of age, males in their late teens and early 20s, and elderly people. The younger and older demographics are most susceptible to injuries from hot tap water.

Again, the belief is that regulating hot water temperature for replacement systems would see the number of incidents further reduce over time.

The Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association takes the view that because public health is the highest priority, any measures to further reduce scalding injuries and fatalities should be given the utmost priority. The Association is also in favour of national consistency.

However, given the inadequate number of inspectors in WA (see page 19, WA plumbing inspector numbers among nation’s lowest), there is a potential issue when it comes to ensuring compliance with the new measures. The Association therefore feels it is vital to remedy that situation before new regulation can be effectively implemented.

Responses to the RIS can be submitted until April 21. See www.abcb.gov.au for further information and to download a copy of the RIS.

Security of sub-contractor payment high on agenda

S

ecurity of payment has been a hot topic recently given the number of construction companies that have fallen into financial difficulties.

State legislation was put in place following issues last year regarding payment of contractors on large government projects, however the issue is also being reviewed at a Federal Government level with an aim to determine if unified national measures should be implemented. That final review and recommendations are not expected to be released until December this year.

The McGowan Government has pledged to ensure security of payments remains a high priority. As well as establishing project trust accounts for government contractors, Labor has proposed a potential demerit system for those that fail to pay.

Under the system, businesses that have been found not to pay subcontractors on three occasions would be disqualified from vying for government contracts.

The trust accounts would see a portion of the amount that is to be paid to a head contractor held in trust, ensuring subcontractors have some of their payments protected should a head contractor face insolvency.

However, the MPGA will also be lobbying Government to extend payment security to all commercial and residential construction.

As well as protecting contractors from non-payment, timeliness of payments is an issue for small business operators.

MPGA CEO Murray Thomas said while large government projects made headlines last year, there was also a significant number of unreported issues.

“The problem is that while big building and construction companies may be able to manage extended payment terms based on pre-determined milestones, smaller businesses often can’t,” he said.

“A plumber’s involvement in a building project is usually very stop-start. They might be required to carry out initial supply and drainage works before the slab goes down, then have little to do until the project is nearing completion.

“While builders work to milestones that suit their needs, plumbers should be paid on completion of each phase of their work and within terms that suit small business operators.”

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NEWS & VIEWS

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR DRAINAGE PLUMBING DIAGRAMS

The Plumbers Licensing and Plumbing Standards Regulations 2000 were amended in December.

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he amendments provide for the Plumbers Licensing Board (PLB) to administer drainage plumbing diagrams in WA, extending the arrangement that existed from 1Â July 2016 through which the PLB administered drainage plumbing diagrams on behalf of the Water Corporation.

Licensed plumbing contractors are now required to submit drainage plumbing diagrams with the relevant certificate of compliance when performing drainage plumbing work that involves the installation, alteration or extension of drainage plumbing.

This requirement is for all drainage plumbing work performed, regardless of the sewerage service provider operating in the area or if the drainage plumbing connects to an apparatus for the treatment of sewage, such as a septic tank.

As a “cut and seal� of a main drain requires some alteration to drainage plumbing, it is defined as major plumbing

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work and a certificate of compliance and drainage plumbing diagram must also be submitted when such work is performed.

A penalty of up to $5,000 applies if a drainage plumbing diagram is not submitted when required.

The definition of minor plumbing work as it applies to drainage plumbing has also been amended. Minor plumbing work now includes the maintenance, repair or replacement of existing drainage plumbing.

This means that any like-for-like replacement of drainage plumbing is now considered minor plumbing work, regardless of the length of pipework being replaced. Conversely, any alteration to drainage plumbing is now considered major work, regardless of the length of pipework being altered.

The change to the definition of minor plumbing work aligns with the need to submit a certificate of compliance where a drainage plumbing diagram would be required.

If you require a drainage plumbing diagram for a property connected to a Water Corporation main sewer, there is an online search service available at www. commerce.wa.gov.au/dpd.

For drainage plumbing diagrams in nonWater Corporation service areas, or where the drainage plumbing connects to a septic tank or similar apparatus, the PLB will only have copies of drainage plumbing diagrams for work completed after 14 December 2016.

If you require a diagram that would have been submitted prior to this time, please contact the relevant sewerage service provider or local government authority.

For further information on how this may affect you, including information on other legislation amendments relevant to drainage plumbing diagrams and guidelines for correctly drawing drainage plumbing diagrams, please visit www. commerce.wa.gov.au/dpd or phone the Building Commission on 1300 489 099.

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WA STATE ELECTION

LABOR PROMISES POINT TO GREATER OPPORTUNITY The pre-election list of promises by the Labor Party signal opportunity for the sector, writes CEO MURRAY THOMAS.

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or industry-led associations such as the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association, the change to a Labor Government might appear to be a doubleedged sword.

On the one hand, traditional Labor policy promotes a better deal for construction industry workers and gives voice to industry associations and unions.

The flipside has historically been that in its bid for “social democratisation”, Labor creates a less favourable environment for many business owners.

But new Premier Mark McGowan has promised to be “very, very friendly” to business in a bid to attract investment and rebuild the State’s economy.

He’s also indicated that he won’t let the unions dictate what’s in the best interests of the State, but former union officials play a central role in his cabinet. And there are people on all sides of the political fence that view it with cautious optimism.

Mr McGowan’s Government has entered the fray at a turning point for the traditional model of politics. They’ve stepped in to run the big business that is Western Australia at a time in the traditional economic cycle that indicates we should be on the upswing.

But like most changes in government, this one is inheriting someone else’s legacy and it’s no secret that it’s not at all pretty.

We’ve been warned it will take decades to reduce the State’s record level of debt.

Labor has some competing and diametrically opposed priorities to deal with. Its ability to address those priorities is being put to the test immediately as it strives to make an impact.

There’s certainly a tricky juggling act for Labor to cut State spending, halt the controversial Roe 8 development, reel in a blowout in health expenditure and put a blanket ban on fracking, while at the same time committing to new infrastructure, better health facilities and jobs growth.

It will take some skill to do so, but if the

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Government can manage to keep all the balls in the air, follow through on the key promises and manage the next upswing in the economic cycle, the MPGA is optimistic things will improve for the plumbing sector.

JOBS GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY Labor’s promise to do away with the current skilled migration occupation list may not directly impact plumbers (given we’re not on the list), but coupled with a pledge to ensure local companies get a bigger share of work on government projects, the outcome is sure to be positive.

We are certainly in favour of WA construction sector projects prioritising WA-based providers.

It’s not just about keeping WA dollars in WA, but also because skilled tradespeople in this State are the most appropriately qualified providers to deliver services that comply with local regulations.

It remains to be seen how the new Government will deal with security of contractor payments on large projects. The MPGA will continue to work with the new Government, as we did with the previous one, to ensure the plumbing sector has as much protection as possible when it comes to payment security.

Labor has also promised a freeze on TAFE fees. It’s certainly a step in the right direction to reboot training opportunities.

Signs are positive for further investment into industry-based vocational training and apprenticeships too.

Governments must focus on delivering sustainable, long-term education and training opportunities rather than reactionary measures to deal with short-term demand.

So it is refreshing to see focus in WA at a time when the national trend sees apprenticeship training in rapid decline.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS There are two areas of focus – firstly bringing current projects back under control and secondly, getting new ones up

and running.

One of the big challenges for the McGowan Government is to overcome the stand-offs over recent issues at the new Perth Children’s Hospital.

Through all the finger-pointing and deflection of blame, cost blowouts have mounted and it still seems the stakeholders are no closer to knowing exactly what went wrong, how to fix it or the completion timeframe for the already long-overdue project.

The MPGA will be urging the new State Government, amidst the fallout, to take action over the availability and use of non-compliant plumbing products.

As for Labor’s infrastructure promises – such as upgrades to Joondalup Health Campus and Osborne Park Hospital, construction of the State’s first “medi-hotel” at Fiona Stanley Hospital and 10 new schools for outlying suburbs – all will entail significant plumbing works and long-term opportunity to invest into the future of the industry.

And while the proposed expansion to train services may provide limited opportunity at first, opening additional transport corridors to the suburbs is likely to enable longer term residential housing projects.

REDUCTION OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND SENIOR POSITIONS Some might see it as an opportunity to trim the fat. Others might see a simple case of “robbing Peter to pay Paul” for funding of the promised expansion of WA Police services.

But if the outcome is what Mr McGowan has previously referred to as “a more efficient, less bureaucratic public sector” driven by closer scrutiny and more aggressive KPIs for senior public servants, our hope is for less red tape and an end to the inaction that has plagued various industry sectors in recent times.

The MPGA will be meeting all relevant Ministers and the Premier to push business growth, better training and job opportunities, and public wellbeing.

And for now, we’re optimistic that the change is good for our industry.

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MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

19

WA STATE ELECTION

Time to focus on training for young people

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n January, the Mandurah Mail ran an article on the newly completed $3.4m Mandurah Regional Trade Training Centre (MRTTC) that was sitting empty.

The centre had been purpose built to provide Certificate II courses in plumbing and painting. It was designed from the blueprint set by John Forrest Trade Training Centre in Morley, where MPA Skills have been delivering the same training since 2010.

However, due to the construction sector downturn, funding arrangements fell through.

Following publication of the article, MPA Skills met with Mandurah MLA and now State Government frontbencher

David Templeman, who had long been an advocate for the MRTTC. Wayne Wilson, MPA Skills Apprenticeship and Traineeship Coordinator, said the organisation would continue to push for urgent funding.

“We are hoping to secure funding this year, however the window of opportunity is closing quickly due to the length of time required to deliver the courses,” he said.

“Typically, this is delivered over three school terms to finish at the end of Term 3 and we are coming to the end of Term 1.

“Mr Templeman is very passionate about the MRTTC being operational but was limited in what he could do when he

was in Opposition. However, it is hoped newly appointed Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery will support the MRTTC in securing funding quickly to deliver training.”

Mr Thomas said with Premier Mark McGowan focused on jobs growth, MPA Skills was optimistic that training would be given due attention.

“Mr Templeman’s knowledge and support of the issues, coupled with the fact that the Labor Government have come to power on a platform of jobs growth, are good signs we might finally see some positive changes in regards to funding for school-based vocational training,” Mr Thomas said.

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WA STATE ELECTION

WA plumbing inspector numbers among nation’s lowest The MPGA lodged a report with the State Government in mid2016 highlighting the fact that WA had the second-lowest number of plumbing inspectors of any state or territory.

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nly the Northern Territory has fewer inspectors – understandable given its significantly smaller population.

The report specified that in seeking to increase inspector numbers, the MPGA was not looking for closer scrutiny of all plumbing contractors.

The industry is largely reliant on contractors to self-regulate by complying with all application and notification requirements. And for the most part, the industry functions effectively in that regard.

But in situations involving significant works – and particularly public works such as those at Elizabeth Quay – the Association supports mandatory inspections. There must also be an ability to respond immediately when complaints are received in regards to domestic and commercial plumbing works.

CEO Murray Thomas says recent issues such as the Elizabeth Quay water contamination problem and lead contamination at the new Perth Children’s Hospital could have been avoided with tighter scrutiny and enforcement of regulations.

“If we look at those two cases, which were attributed at least in part to inadequate plumbing works and the use of noncompliant products, we see situations where mandatory inspections could have saved a lot of time and money, not to mention better protecting the public from serious health issues,” Mr Thomas said.

“Our State legislation allows for random inspections of plumbing works and auditing of licensed plumbers to ensure compliance with regulations.

“But with just eight inspectors servicing the entire State, it’s largely impractical to do so and therefore does not serve as much of a deterrent to anyone wanting to take shortcuts or carry out work for which they are not adequately qualified.”

By comparison, in WA the gasfitting industry has 65 inspectors employed directly by suppliers and 13 State Government-

It seems utterly ridiculous that any government would even consider relaxing regulations… employed inspectors responsible for general supervision and auditing of the supplier inspectors.

It was once similar for plumbing. Until about 10 years ago, the Water Corporation was the State’s plumbing regulator, employing some 50 inspectors. But when the Building Commission took over, the self-regulation model was introduced.

The MPGA does not have a definitive position on the best way to overcome the shortage. One possible solution is to follow the Queensland model in which local councils employ plumbing inspectors to carry out regular inspection work and the State Government employs a small number of more senior investigators to regulate those inspectors.

At the time of lodging the report in August last year, there were 287 councilemployed inspectors in Queensland and eight investigators working for the State Building and Construction Commission.

Mr Thomas said the low number of inspectors may be one of the reasons the Building Commission had moved to relax regulations in WA, including reduced licensing requirements, which concerned the MPGA. “The quality and strict guidelines for plumbing have taken more than 100 years to get to the point they are today and that’s why in Australia we tend to take clean drinking water and effective wastewater and sewerage disposal for granted,” he said.

“It seems utterly ridiculous that any government would even consider relaxing regulations that are in place to protect public wellbeing.

“We urge the new State Government to listen to industry and take steps to implement long-term solutions that place public health first. Increasing the number of inspectors is a logical first step in the right direction.”

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Around the P Traps News and views from across the region Want to know what’s happening in other States, nationally and across the “ditch” in New Zealand? We take a quick journey “Around the P Traps” to find out.

Master Plumbers Tasmania

Boom expected to drive plumbing demand

Master Plumbers Australia

New chairman for national association

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obert Pearshouse, pictured, has been appointed Chairman of Master Plumbers Australia Ltd (MPA).

Robert is the Managing Director of a plumbing business in Tasmania and a Past President of the Master Plumbers Association of Tasmania, as well as a former councillor of the Institute of Plumbing Australia.

He brings significant and invaluable experience to the role and will consult on a wide range of policies and procedures that impact not only Tasmania’s plumbing industry but throughout Australia.

MPA represents Master Plumber Associations across the country including WA, SA,Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The Association serves as the collective national voice for the Australian plumbing industry, allowing the state-based associations to collaborate on national issues.

MPA represents plumbing contractors from sole operators to medium sized plumbing businesses and large contracting firms.

In recent years, MPA has grown in strength, working on the excellent cooperative relationships that exist between member organisations. This has led to the adoption of a unified MPA policy position in the areas of licensing, qualifications and regulation. ••

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A major building and construction boom is looming in Tasmania, with an estimated $1.2 billion in new works due over the next six to eight years.

The growth will have a positive impact on plumbing in the State, which is already experiencing a shortage of qualified plumbing professionals. As well as quality apprentices, Master Plumbers Tasmania (MPAT) says there will be opportunities for more experienced tradespeople to move into operational and managerial roles.

In anticipation of the growth, MPAT has partnered with Work and Training, Tasmanian Independent Builders Association and On Road Off Road Training, receiving State Government funding to deliver a pilot program titled Work Ready for the Building & Construction Industry.

The program will provide six weeks of intense technical and employability skills training and workplace experience to 16 young jobseekers to ensure they have the skills required to be ready for work. A number of MPAT member organisations will receive mentor training in preparation to provide work experience to the pilot group.

MPAT is also working with the Tasmanian Building & Construction Industry Training Board to develop a Workforce Development Plan for the plumbing industry. The plan will identify deficits and develop strategies required to strengthen the profession.

Master Plumbers Queensland

Builders hit roof over proposed plan

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proposed licensing reform in Queensland would require metal roof installers to hold a plumbing qualification, according to a recent article in Brisbane’s Courier Mail.

The proposal is part of Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni’s Queensland Building Plan.

The move, which has long been mooted by the plumbing industry because of ongoing issues with some roof installations, has drawn criticism from builders and roof installers who claim it could lead to excessive wait times and increased costs for homeowners.

But according to Master Plumbers Association Queensland executive director Penny Cornah, the lack of any qualification requirement for people carrying out roofing was a concern.

“There are standards for plumbers,

electricians and other trades but for roofers there aren’t and we can’t understand why,” Ms Cornah said.

“Plumbers are taught units of competency around roofing as part of their apprenticeship, so it is a good fit.”

Under the proposal, those wishing to carry out the work would need to have completed a plumbing apprenticeship.

It is one of a range of reforms outlined in the Queensland Building Plan and advocated by MPQA. Another key proposed reform includes the implementation of Project Building Accounts to accommodate security of payment for sub-contractors.

Other reforms deal with temperature control devices, restriction on the sale of some non-Watermark certified products, and a range of improvements to legislation including updating the Plumbing and Drainage Act. ••

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Master Plumbers Victoria

PICAC campus opens in Geelong

Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers New Zealand

Review of NZ standards and self-certification

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EO Greg Wallace says Master Plumbers NZ is highly involved in a Government review of New Zealand Standards, particularly AS/NZS 3500 (Plumbing and Drainage).

“Master Plumbers continues to be involved in a vast array of New Zealand Standards without any financial support from Government or other means, as we think it is an important part of the industry and essential to participate,” he said.

There is also discussion at NZ Government level around what a plumbing industry with some form of self-certification might look like. In New Zealand, gasfitters and electricians have used a self-certification model for several years.

“Although some of the plumbing industry would be nervous about moving to this approach, we believe it’s time to look at the situation and its pros and cons,” Mr Wallace said.

“In Auckland and Canterbury, there is currently a lack of available plumbing inspectors and selfcertification is happening by default —but without the cost savings.” ••

Industry training in Victoria received another boost with the opening of the State’s second Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC) campus in Geelong late last year.

The new facility joins PICAC’s first training centre in the central Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, with a third centre commencing construction in the city’s south-east this year.

The combination of training facilities and range of courses on offer will ensure the greater Melbourne area and parts of regional Victoria are well catered for when it comes to pre and post qualification training.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle joined key industry leaders at the official opening of the PICAC Geelong Centre.

“This is about putting people first and giving workers in the plumbing industry the specialist skills and training they need to help build our state’s future,” Mr Andrews said.

“We’re also supporting retrenched automotive workers and allowing them to retrain in one of Victoria’s key growth sectors.”

Master Plumbers CEO Ken Gardner said the Geelong centre would initially offer a range of post trade, preapprenticeship and licensing qualifications. The aim was to move from being a state-based training institution to a national one.

“Through PICAC and our partners, we have merged with the Services Training College in Brisbane,” Mr Gardner said.

“We will consolidate the plumbing trade into a group called Plumbing Industry Training, which will be responsible for delivering the apprenticeship and preapprenticeship training in all of our centres. It’s our aim to integrate all of these organisations.”

PICAC is an industry partnership supported by the Plumbing Trades Employees Union, Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association, National Fire Industry Association and the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association. ••

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

23

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PICTURES Gallo Images/Lefty Shivambu

Australian boost for Community Plumbing Challenge hosts South African-based Sticky Situations, host of the hugely successful 2016 Community Plumbing Challenge (CPC), has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Australian Federal Government.

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o-founded by South-African based Australian Jennifer van den Bussche, Sticky Situations hosted the 2016 CPC and caught the attention of the Australian High Commission in South Africa.

The grant will be used to fund the ongoing Water, Amenities and Sanitation Services Upgrade Program (WASSUP) in the Diepsloot community in Johannesburg.

The program is an initiative to help the community, which is home to an estimated 200,000 people. Most are poor South Africans or immigrants from neighbouring Zimbabwe.

Last year, four multi-disciplinary teams

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MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

from Australia, South Africa, India and the USA completed the week-long project to design and install a community toilet block in Diepsloot.

The grant was approved by the Direct Aid Program of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in South Africa. The Direct Aid Program supports non-profit organisations working in local communities on activities which support sustainable and equitable development, including education and skills, human rights, disability inclusiveness, and women’s social and economic empowerment.

Sticky Situations’ successful application outlined ambitious plans for a new workshop and training facility, renovation of a public toilet and washroom, plus repairs and maintenance for a further 25 of 643 communal toilet facilities in part of the sprawling Diepsloot area.

All activities will be underpinned by the ongoing development of formally accredited, on-the-job training opportunities for local apprentice plumbers and other tradespeople.

“Adequate communal sanitation is a constant challenge for Johannesburg communities,” Jennifer said.

Left, Residents of Diepsloot, South Arica are forced to share communal facilities.

Above, Team Australia and representatives of the Australian High Commission during the 2016 challenge.

Top, The week-long CPC saw teams contribute to public health initiatives in the Diepsloot community.

“Therefore, we continually work to find solutions and a great deal of time, energy and effort goes into applying for funding support across public and private sectors, as well as to international bodies, for our ongoing endeavours.

“In this case, I am extremely proud that my home country will now be contributing to this ongoing, holistic program that looks to improve sanitation conditions as well as work towards professional training for future careers.”

The Community Plumbing Challenge grew out of the Water Innovation Challenge, which took place in Singapore in 2014.

The initial challenge was a simulated event, involving teams from Australia and the USA, recreating real-world projects. However, no real communities benefited directly from the outcomes.

The WorldSkills Foundation, which was involved in that initial event, recommended changing the name to represent the real issues, involving more teams and moving the event to a real-world situation to benefit a community in need.

In 2015, the first Community Plumbing Challenge took place in India, followed by the Diepsloot challenge in 2016.

HEALTH & SAFETY

NON-COMPLIANT PRODUCTS BLAMED FOR GROWING LEGIONNAIRES’ THREAT Hot summer weather combined with inadequate inspections of hot water systems in Australian apartments could lead to widespread outbreaks of Legionnaires’ Disease, according to Master Plumbers Australia.

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he MPA says state and federal governments must urgently enforce plumbing regulations to ensure the highest standards of public health are maintained.

The news comes in the wake of revelations last December that the Victorian building regulator took nine months to respond to concerns over a case where a non-compliant system had potentially caused a risk of legionella bacteria.

Bill Watson, a Director of MPA in Queensland, said the national industry body wants governments to enforce regulators to conduct mandatory testing for Legionella in all new and existing buildings including apartments, schools and hospitals.

“The catalyst for the issue in Melbourne was a warm water system that did not carry the Australian Watermark, which is a requirement of plumbing fixtures under Australian law,” Mr Watson said.

“Over recent months around the country, we’ve seen cases of lead contamination and now the Legionnaires’ risk, both of which have been attributed to the use of noncompliant products.

“It is time for state and federal governments to take strong and swift action against anyone who carries out installations and repairs without appropriate certification.

“Plumbing regulation varies slightly from state to state, so some uniformity needs to be introduced to ensure the highest standards of public safety are maintained,” he said.

“Anyone connecting fixtures to mains water supplies or sewerage systems, or dealing with systems requiring heat regulation, must be appropriately licensed to carry out the work.

“As well as mandatory inspections, there should be nationally consistent and regulated maintenance programs put in place.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 112,321 residential apartments were approved in the 12 months between November 2015 and October 2016, almost double the 60,922 approved during the same period five years ago .

“As the Australian population continues to grow and we move towards higher density living, adequate resourcing is needed to ensure standards are enforced and maintained,” Mr Watson said.

Not such good vibrations POWER TOOLS ARE a necessary part of the job for many plumbers and gasfitters.

They can certainly make the job easier, but there is a downside that, in the worst cases, can lead to amputation of the fingers or whole hand.

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is commonly experienced by workers who use tools such as jackhammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, riveters and impact wrenches.

HAVS is a grouping of specific disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, ‘tennis elbow’ and painful ‘vibration white finger’. It is typically triggered by years of exposure to vibration and prompted by cold conditions.

Workers who are exposed to vibration on an ongoing basis and for more than 15 minutes each day are particularly at risk of succumbing to the condition.

Safe Work Australia says the impacts of HAVS can include disrupted circulation in the hand and forearm, and/or damage to nerves and tendons, muscles, bones and joints. Symptoms include tingling and numbness in the fingers, loss of strength, or pain in the hands and arms.

Damage caused by excessive exposure to vibration is irreversible, but HAVS is preventable with simple and cost effective measures.

Modern tools usually have a magnitude rating (m/s2) to enable users to determine the level of vibration. However, the rating applies to tools in as-new condition, and wear and tear or poor maintenance can lead to increased vibration levels.

Eliminating or reducing exposure is the most effective way of controlling exposure, while health surveillance is vital to detect early signs of damage. Experts say inaction can result in significant costs to both employers and employees.

While there are currently no mandatory controls regarding exposure levels in Australia, Safe Work Australia recommends following European standards recommending daily vibration exposure should remain below 2.5 m/s2 averaged over an eight-hour day and never more than 5 m/s2 over an eight-hour day.

Other ways to reduce exposure include wearing anti-vibration gloves adhering to ISO 10819 or the European standard EN 388 4241, using low-vibration tools and conducting proper maintenance.

Prolonged exposure to vibration can pose significant health risks.

IMAGE Courtesy Bigstock

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Many reasons make light work for runners The annual HBF Run for a Reason draws all sorts out on to the streets of Perth. And while having a reason to run or walk is not mandatory, it certainly helps the motivation, writes Simon Shepherdson.

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few years ago, as a lethargic office worker slipping rapidly beyond 40 and finding ever more regular excuses to eat, drink and make merry, I decided to give running a go.

I wasn’t just thinking about chasing the bus, but rather being able to clock up some serious kilometres. It was a big ask for a pudgy pen pusher, but I set to work with enthusiasm, combining gym time and road running.

Within a month I’d reached the point where I could run two kilometres without feeling I needed to vomit, faint or die. The next challenge was to increase the distance to something more meaningful.

I sought advice from various sources – online training plans, more seasoned runners, people at the gym. It seemed everything revolved around core strength, breathing and not giving up. The last was perhaps the most difficult, but thanks to some pushing by enthusiastic employees, I committed to take part in a 4km run.

Making that commitment was the boost I needed to crack the initial barriers and I completed the run in a vaguely respectable time. The psychology of participating in team situations or in the company of others

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is well documented and I concluded that my ability to run the entire 4km had been only vaguely due to ability and mostly due to not wanting to admit defeat each time I hit an uphill slope.

Then, of course, I had to one-up myself.

So feat number two was to prepare for the 12km leg in the HBF Run For A Reason.

Over the ensuing weeks and months, I gradually increased from 4km to 5km to 7km.

I started to need my early morning run,

finding that runner’s high that I’d always believed to be a myth. I found I was getting to work with a clear head and a lot of creative energy.

But again, I found I was hitting a distance wall that was hard to break. As much as I tried, I felt I was stagnating around the 8km mark. I needed motivation.

Then someone offered me some very good advice. A fellow worker told me that it was called the Run For A Reason for very good reason. “Get one,” he said.

Some years earlier, I’d lost my father to cancer. Through his years of battling the disease, he’d held organisations like the Cancer Council in very high regard.

He’d also told me about the heartbreak of seeing children in hospital undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and how he’d have loved to have been able to do something to help.

So Dad’s wish became my inspiration. It spurred me on in training and those elusive last kilometres came into reach. By the time I lined up with thousands in the CBD of others on a cool Sunday morning, I had no doubt of my ability to cross the finish line.

My 13-year-old son recently said he wanted to take part in this year’s HBF Run For A Reason. He too has a very good reason motivating him. So I have no doubt he’ll feel the rush of achievement that comes from crossing the finish line.

You don’t need to have a reason to join this year’s run on Sunday, 28 May. But if you’re looking for motivation to help crack any barriers that may stand in your way, I certainly found it helped.

If you’d like to register º or require more information on the HBF Run For A Reason, visit hbfrun.com.au.

Members benefit from new partnership

R

ecent media reports indicated that consumers were exploiting a littleknown rule to get cheaper private health insurance.

It’s thanks to a clause in the Private Health Insurance Act that allows funds to offer savings on premiums to people belonging to a contribution group.

The good news is that the MPGA is one such group and HBF is offering up to 12 per cent discount - the maximum allowable – on hospital and extras cover.

In addition, members can receive up 23 per cent off home, landlord, car, boat and caravan cover, up to 52 weeks of complimentary cover if on sick leave without pay and 26 complimentary cover for your spouse and dependents in the event of your death.

If you’d like to know more, contact HBF on 1300 132 549 or email corphealth@ hbf.com.au and quote your member number.

HEALTH & SAFETY

INDUSTRY VETERAN CALLS FOR CONSISTENT SAFETY APPROACH Bill Busby has seen a lot of serious safety incidents during his time in the plumbing industry.

T

he director of multi-award winning Pride Plumbing, and former president and long-time board member of the MPGA, says the industry needs to strengthen its safety protocols and adopt a consistent approach to managing and reporting safety incidents.

“Although I’m happy to say that we see fewer eye-watering safety issues than in days gone by, we unfortunately still have an unacceptable level of catastrophic, life changing injuries and deaths in the workplace,” he said.

“The troubling part is that these deaths and injuries could be avoided if our industry utilised systems to manage and report incidents efficiently and effectively.

“One of the biggest safety challenges at the moment is due to technology, with people paying more attention to their phones than the job at hand.”

Pride Plumbing was the first WA plumbing business to adopt a new initiative as part of a trial aimed at helping MPGA members improve safety management and reporting.

The initiative is thanks to a partnership between the MPGA and Perth-based safety consultancy USSA Global, providing MPGA members with access to a subsidised

safety management system to reduce the number of onsite hazards and improve working conditions.

The solution includes software, called SafeX, and consulting services purpose built for small businesses and trades. It provides businesses with a cost effective and efficient way to ensure they are personally compliant with current legislation.

“To be honest, I was cynical about SafeX before we got involved as we have tried numerous safety management systems in the past which have ultimately not provided the cover we needed,” Bill said.

“However SafeX has had a big impact. It allows us to treat safety like any other part of our core business, such as accounting or payroll, to steadily improve the reporting systems around safety. The consultants who helped us were also very thorough, helpful and knowledgeable.”

“As well as improving overall safety performance, SafeX has the capacity to reduce insurance premiums as a result of decreased incidents.”

USSA Global Managing Director and leading safety expert Anita Slight said every year the plumbing industry lost numerous man-hours to preventable workplace injuries.

“The plumbing sector is dominated by

small, independent companies which need to invest a significant proportion of their time and energy into health and safety plans to prevent injuries,” she said. “This is valuable time that could no doubt be better spent on other areas like sales and marketing.”

This trend, which impacted many other sectors, led Anita to develop a solution geared to small business.

“Being able to record the minor incidents and near misses is vital to ensure enough relevant data is collected to then determine what needs to change,” she said.

“So it’s important that users can easily add information as it happens, wherever they are.

“We have created a suite of very simple to use tools ideal for people either working onsite or in the office so they can record and manage incidents as they happen.

“Having data from a broad range of sources is vital to establish common patterns of behaviour and put preventative measures in place.

“That’s why safety is often managed well in big industries, where there are processes in place to make sure information is captured and addressed.

“But for small business we had to think differently about how to capture, access and analyse enough data to make informed decisions.”

SafeX allows data to be collated from multiple different sources – even across the entire industry sector – to establish patterns and implement risk management processes accordingly.

Master Plumbers CEO Murray Thomas said the MPGA was pleased to facilitate safety in WA’s plumbing industry by offering members subsidised access to SafeX. “Safety shouldn’t be complex, expensive or time consuming,” he said.

“With the provision of simple but effective tools and services, it’s possible to make real advances.

“Safety at work is not just a nice option.

It’s everyone’s right to get home at night unharmed, and when a fatality or serious injury occurs, it impacts individuals, families and whole communities.

“We all have an obligation to ensure we are doing everything in our power to keep our loved ones safe.”

To find out how your plumbing business can gain the benefits of SafeX, visit www.safex.com. au or call (08) 6166 9399.

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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W O R LD P

LUMBING DAY

The greatest innovation for global health Each year, World Plumbing Day is celebrated around the globe to remind us how important the profession is to public health and environmental sustainability. But few people really understand the significance of plumbing as a major contributor to improving lives and advancing human endeavours.

A

few years ago, the British Medical Journey conducted a survey of 11,000 readers to identify the world’s greatest medical innovation.

From a list of worthy contenders – ranging from antibiotics and vaccines to the contraceptive pill – it was advances in sanitary management that won the top accolade.

It’s great testament to the science of plumbing, which since the early 1800s has been credited with eradicating many fatal diseases and increasing average life expectancy.

Delivery of clean drinking water and safe removal of wastewater are things that billions of people worldwide now take for granted.

But it’s not something to be viewed lightly. While clean tap water is readily available in the developed world, it is estimated that globally, one in five deaths of children under five years of age is due to waterborne disease.

That’s because around a third of the world’s population still does not have easy access to /... continued over MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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LUMBING DAY

water for consumption and sanitation.

The United Nations has declared access to clean water a basic human right. And aid agencies such as World Vision invest significant time and resources into delivery of sanitation and water supply projects.

In fact, World Vision currently provides sustainable water supply to an average of one person every 30 seconds and has declared its intention to reduce that to one every 10 seconds by 2020.

If that rate can be achieved, the agency predicts the world’s water crisis to be solved by 2030. It’s a lofty goal, but with the help of the plumbing industry, it is one which can be achieved.

In countries such as Australia, the average person uses a staggering 100 litres of water each day for consumption and sanitation – and in most cases it is potable water. On top of that, Australians consume nearly two million litres of bottled water per day.

For the sort of consumption and sanitation levels being targeted by the United Nations and aid agencies, people require around 20 litres of water a day.

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LUMBING DAY

The plumbing industry has helped exceed that by five times in Australia and other developed countries.

While there’s still a long way to go, it’s worth celebrating our combined achievements and those still to come.

World Plumbing Day, initiated by the World Plumbing Council, takes place on March 11 every year to allow the plumbing industry to take stock of its achievements and, more importantly, to let the world know how important our industry is to public wellbeing.

This year, we once again took the opportunity to celebrate in style, with MPGA members and friends enjoying a day at Ascot Racecourse.

Guests enjoyed international food and beverages, comedy acts, games and a mechanical bull – not to mention great company and a full race card of sponsored events.

Congratulations to all who make the plumbing industry in Western Australia what it is today – and a belated Happy World Plumbing Day. MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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LUMBING DAY

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W O R LD P

LUMBING DAY

Thank you MPGA sincerely thanks our valued Alliance Partners for your support of the World Plumbing Day Race Day. Your contribution helps build a better industry.

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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PEOPLE

MEET YOUR EXEC Peter

Dawe

Passion drives plumber to give back to industry

P

ete Dawe has an obvious passion for plumbing.

He’s also a proud Mandurah local, having grown up there, completed his apprenticeship with his father’s business South Mandurah Plumbing, and set up his own business, Ocean Edge Plumbing, in the town.

The new MPGA executive committee member says he always knew plumbing was the career path he wanted to take. Having seen the pride his father took in his work, it was something that appealed to him.

“He was an excellent tradesman who did an outstanding job,” Pete said. “His customers loved him and trusted his work.

That was the kind of job I wanted.”

So at 16, having spent school holidays laboring in the business, Pete joined South Mandurah Plumbing as an apprentice.

During that time, he was named runnerup Apprentice of the Year in the MPGA’s annual awards.

Almost immediately after qualifying, at the tender age of 19, he launched Ocean Edge Plumbing (OEP).

Securing a client base was priority number one and it came quickly with OEP providing contract services to South Mandurah Plumbing and another company, Charter Plumbing. That gave Pete the opportunity to gain valuable experience across a vast range of fields including mining, industrial, commercial and maintenance.

“The variety of work I did gave me the opportunity to travel and broaden my experience,” says Pete. “I often worked in remote communities and this gave me a view of life that I would not have had working in the city.”

Remote community plumbing is a topic Pete feels strongly about. He says while the Building Commission’s recent licensing amendments to allow Environmental Health Workers to carry out some plumbing works in the communities might provide a stopgap measure, there are certainly options that should be considered for more sustainable and long-term solutions.

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“I believe if dedicated apprenticeship training was available to people living in those communities across all essential services, we’d see vast improvements to the current situation,” he said.

“With adequate training that allows young people to contribute to their communities – and potentially to nearby

“Associations like Master Plumbers are the backbone of the industry” communities – I think such a scheme would be a big success.”

While Pete worked across the State, he remained focused on building OEP and over the years, the business gained a reputation for being reliable and trustworthy. It has grown to seven staff and provides a range of residential and commercial work, as well as servicing some of the leading building companies in the Peel Region.

Pete admits that had he acted on some of the advice offered to him in his early days, the business could be twice its current size.

But at the same time, he values the experience he gained by working in the field and advises anyone starting out in

business to do the same.

“If I could offer any advice to people starting out in business, I’d say start off slowly, learn your trade as best you can, take pride in your work, establish values in your business, believe in and promote those values and be better than anyone else,” Pete said.

“You have to believe in what you’re doing. That will make you a better tradesman and a better businessman.”

Believing in what he did led to Pete being named WA Plumber of the Year in 2016, as well as OEP landing the accolade for Best Commercial Business with less than 10 employees.

Pete says being appointed to the MPGA Executive Committee will allow him to give back to the industry that has given him so much. He knows plumbing faces a range of challenges and hopes he can use his position to influence change.

“With the downturn in the economy, there’s a lot more undercutting when people compete for big projects,” he said.

“The problem is that a lot of the cut throat competition is coming from inexperienced or unqualified providers who not only deliver sub-standard work, but often can’t deliver at all, so it costs the client more in the end.

“That failure impacts the entire industry because we all get tarred with the same brush.”

Pete believes that as well as promoting high standards in plumbing, the MPGA is a vital resource to help owners run better businesses.

“Associations like Master Plumbers are the backbone of the industry,” he said.

“They are the go-to point for pushing change, correcting issues, ensuring standards and creating equality in the industry.

“If we get the backing of those in industry, plumbing will continue to improve, public perception will improve and the outcome will be better for everyone.”

PEOPLE

Des happy to roll with the times Change is the only constant in life - and in plumbing, as Des Lally found over more than 50 years working in the plumbing industry.

He talked to Simon Shepherdson about his experiences.

D

es Lally says plumbing used to be hard work.

The Perth plumber, who retired recently after more than 50 years in the industry, recalls a time when

heavy lifting was a mandatory part of the job.

“We had to work with 6.5-metre lengths of galvanised pipe up to 50mm in diameter, 1.2m earthenware drainage pipes and had to manually move concrete septic tanks and leach drains into place,” says Des. “There were no backhoes or bobcats, so we knew how to use a shovel.”

The heavy lifting started to subside in the 1970s with the adoption of the National Plumbing Code and the introduction of various plastics.

“The industry became lighter almost overnight,” recalls Des. The former owner of Lally Plumbers, which was set up by his father in 1955,

started his apprenticeship in the family business but later moved to complete his training with George Boucher & Co, where he developed experience in, and a liking for, commercial maintenance work.

Des’ preference for commercial maintenance became a focus for Lally Plumbers when he became a partner in the business in the 1970s, and he and wife Jenny subsequently took over running the company in 1980.

According to Des, the ongoing need for maintenance work by commercial operations provided a certain buffer against the inevitable peaks and troughs that hit the industry.

“Those commercial enterprises needed to keep running and plumbing maintenance is a vital part of that,” he said.

“We did experience some quiet times but we never let any staff go that we didn’t want to.”

Apart from the changes brought about with the introduction of the National Plumbing Code, Des says the biggest impacts were to do with the administrative aspects of running a business, such as the introduction of compulsory superannuation and the GST, as well as requirements around occupational health and safety.

Another change, and one that Des does not necessarily believe has been for the better, is the move to self-certification.

“Prior to self-certification, a plumbing inspector would typically attend a construction site, including residential dwellings, at least twice during the construction phase,” he says.

“They carried out a range of checks, including visual inspection of chased-in water pipes prior to them being cemented in, observing pressure testing, checking gradients in drainage and carrying out water drainage tests, and visually inspecting all

internal drains and branches with mirrors.

“It was also their responsibility to draw up an as-constructed drawing.

“If they found any ‘details’ that required further attention, the responsible plumber’s licence would not be renewed the following year unless these issues had been fixed and another inspection carried out.

“While self-certification may be efficient and cost effective, it probably hasn’t improved standards, even with the built-in deterrents.

However, I’m sure it’s here to stay.”

There have been other changes too, particularly from an environmental and legislative perspective.

Des points to backflow prevention becoming a significant part of the industry.

He has also seen changes in health and safety, including temperature controlled hot water systems, considerations for legionella prevention, and a significant focus on OH&S in the workplace.

When Des and Jenny took over Lally Plumbers, the business administrative processes were all manual. But that started to change when they purchased their first office computer in 1984, at a cost of $11,000.

One thing that didn’t change in the 30 years of running business was their desire to remain small and service clients in a way that gave them no reason to look elsewhere.

It seems to have been a successful strategy, as Des says some clients remained with the business for more than 40 years.

His advice to those starting out in business is simple.

“Focus on the job you’re doing rather than the next job,” Des says. “A lot of the time people get caught up thinking about the bigger picture but success comes from building trust and retaining customers by delivering the best outcomes you can.”

Des and Jenny retired from Lally Plumbers at the end of 2014, passing the baton to another family member, Des’ brother Russell, and long-term employee Aaron Bishop.

When asked if they miss the business, Des is quick to respond “not for a minute.”

Jenny admits there were a few times early on that she did miss it. But with children, grandchildren and time to enjoy life, they are happy Lally Plumbers is now in someone else’s hands.

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BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

Helping you do better business RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL plumbing business requires more than expertise on the tools.

While delivering a high standard of service to your clients is vital, there’s a whole range of other skills and considerations required to ensure your enterprise functions effectively.

That’s why we bring you Business Essentials. We’ve drawn on the knowledge and expertise of a range of specialists who work with business

owners in the construction and trade sectors on a daily basis.

If you have questions for any of the experts or suggestions for topics you’d

like to see covered, please forward them to newsroom@mpawa.asn.au or use the contact details where provided in the articles.

Is your tool insurance up to scratch?

M

any tradespeople believe that if they have general property insurance, their tools and equipment are covered.

But there are some discrepancies and variations that may impact your chances of a successful claim.

With tool theft on the increase, it’s important to check your policy to ensure you are appropriately covered, and to know what’s required if you do fall victim so your claim can be dealt with effectively.

Let’s consider your general property cover first (covering theft and accidental damage of mobile items). There are a few things to check: • Does the policy cover theft without forcible entry? Many policies require there to be a break-in to a locked vehicle or tool box, but increasingly, brazen thieves will grab items while workers may just have their backs turned. Some insurance policies will cover items stolen without forcible entry • Are employees’ tools covered under the policy? Businesses should be clear with their employees on who is responsible for insuring tools owned by the employee.

If you are a business owner wanting to provide cover to your employees,

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check the policy to ensure it extends accordingly. Or if you work for someone else, ask if your equipment is covered • Is there a value limit on insured items?

Many policies may require tools over a certain value to be individually specified It’s also worth checking the details of your public and products liability policies. A few areas to consider include: • Does the cover extend to contractors and sub-contractors?

• Are there any exclusions/restrictions based on the location of the work being performed (for example, below-ground work or limitations around welding) that may apply?

• If you are hosting an apprentice through a provider (such as MPA Skills), is your provider covered/named as an insured party on the policy?

Confirming your policy provides the level of cover required is the first step. But if you do have tools stolen, your insurer will almost certainly require proof of ownership.

And ensuring you maintain the appropriate records up front will assist in the event that you do need to lodge a claim.

The purchase receipt is the preferred option to prove ownership so try to make

a point of keeping all receipts together in a safe location (preferably not the glove box or back seat of your vehicle).

However, it’s easy to misplace these so some other options insurers may accept include: • Boxes/packaging or cases for the item • Instruction manuals • Dated photos of the item • Bank/credit card statement showing the purchase • Account statements from the outlet where the item was purchased While checking your policy is up to scratch may be somewhat onerous, taking the time to read the fine print or calling your insurer/agent to seek clarification is worth a little bit of effort now to save you potential headaches in the future.

If you wish to review your policies, EBM is happy to help and offers a range of options and benefits to MPGA members.

Craig Goodwin ANZIIF (Snr Assoc) CIP Executive Account Manager and Vickie Lenhard Dip Fin Serv (Broking) QPIB Executive Account Manager – BuildCover & Trades

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

By Rebecca Cutler – MPGA Senior Workplace Relations Advisor

F

rom this year, the Western Australian Building and Construction Industry Code of Conduct 2016 applies to new tendering processes for State projects with a value in excess of $10 million and will be rolled out to all other contracts over time.

The aim of the WA BCI Code is to regulate industrial relations practices for contractors covered by the WA BCI Code with the aim to stamp out “inappropriate behaviour” on construction sites, prevent anti-competitive and unfair behavior, and improve payment security for contractors.

Building contractors are required to pass on the requirement to comply with the Code to subcontractors through tender/ EOI and contract documentation.

YOUR OBLIGATIONS AS A SUBCONTRACTOR

It is the responsibility of the building contractor to comply with the WA BCI Code and to ensure any subcontractor they engage also complies.

Subcontractors are required to comply with the WA BCI Code from the time they respond to a tender/EOI

and will be required to comply with the Building Contractors Workplace Relations Management Plan (WRMP).

There is no requirement for subcontractors to get a new enterprise agreement in order to be compliant.

The WA BCI Code has been developed to ensure that WA government agencies, when expending public funds, contract with building contractors that conduct themselves in a reputable, fair, safe and responsible manner, both in dealings with the State and within the broader industry.

Former Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said: “The code includes specific measures to support small business including prohibiting anti-competitive behavior, such as price fixing and sham contracting, and the ability to sanction head contractors who had failed to make payments or return retention money within the specified time.

“It will also address unfair contracting terms where head contractors expect subcontractors to sign contracts which could disadvantage them.”

BCCMU AND THE WA BCI CODE The BCCMU stands for Building and Construction Compliance Monitoring Unit. If you are working on a WA BCI Code covered project, the BCCMU may require you to do the following: • Provide the BCCMU with access to your business premises and any other place where records, documents or information is kept • Assist the BCCMU to locate and access records • Allow the BCCMU to interview you, your employees or contractors • Allow the BCCMU to take copies of any record, document, information or other evidence • Respond to requests for information by the BCCMU Subcontractors must not obstruct the BCCMU. For further information, please visit the Building and Construction Compliance Monitoring Unit website at www.commerce. wa.gov.au/bccmu.

Skills for leading more efficient teams M

anagers in fast-paced technical environments, such as plumbing and gasfitting, find that people skills are often as important as technical skills to ensure the job is done right the first time.

The amount of time spent on technical skills and people skills changes as people progress through management.

For example, a plumber on the tools will spend about 80 per cent of their day doing the actual job, and 20 per cent communicating with work mates and supervisors.

A Team Leader spends 30-40 per cent of their time interacting with staff, management and customers, while a senior manager will spend most of their time managing people and rarely gets on the tools.

Both aspiring managers and senior executives need to develop these skills throughout their career: Share an understanding of the job to be done: Concentrate on clarity of roles and objectives, organising resources and information. Productivity and output quality are constantly in mind, and continuous improvement sought in both.

Understand the needs of individuals: Treating each team member as important and promoting a helpful, mutually supportive

atmosphere within the team increases the chance of the customers being treated as important too. Team members are also more likely to do a better job to meet or exceed customers’ expectations.

Inspiring the team: Generating a sense of enthusiasm and excitement by engaging and appealing to values the team holds dear is like supplying fuel to energise them to do great work.

Have an entrepreneurial spirit: Challenging the bounds of what is considered “the way we do things around here” is a key part of improving a business and moving into new territory, keeping ahead of competitors and technology. The entrepreneurial leader keeps their eyes on what is happening outside their area of expertise.

Mastering all these skills at the same time is not easy, but developing and honing each of these skills incrementally throughout your career will ensure successful development of your team and business.

Phil Oxenburgh is Director of Kestrel Strategy, a Leadership and Coaching practice based in WA utilising the Leaderskill 360® model. Phil has 20 years’ experience in national leadership positions across a range of industries from family owned businesses to global corporations.

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BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

SURVIVING REDUNDANCY

ReddiFund is a WA-based redundancy fund open to all employers operating in the building and construction industry to meet their obligations by making provision for their employees in the unfortunate event of redundancy. By Kieron Gubbins | Chief Executive Officer

F

or many people, redundancy comes as a shock.

The truth is that it’s a stressful time for both employers and employees, not to mention the families involved.

And while it’s nice to think it may never happen to you, it never hurts to have a few tools in your kitbag to deal with redundancy if the unthinkable happens.

So here are some tips to make the best of a difficult situation.

Don’t take it personally Even people with outstanding performance records and exceptional skills can fall victim to redundancy. As hurtful as it may be, try to remember that it typically comes as an economic decision by an employer, not a personal one. So if there are legitimate reasons, try to overcome feelings of selfdoubt, pity or anger and focus on moving on with your life and career.

You might have gained a number of additional skills in your last role, but have no proof on paper. Consider utilising some of your redundancy money to secure certifications reflecting what you can offer a new employer.

Seek support

Get your finances in order

The old adage that a trouble shared is a trouble halved rings true for those who have been made redundant. Discussing the situation with colleagues who may also have been made redundant can be a great way to help you and them to move on. Also talk to your trusted friends and family, or if you feel abnormally anxious or depressed, make use of professional external support services such as your GP or the MATES in Construction support service, which provides counselling for construction workers and their mates who are doing it tough.The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. See www. matesinconstruction.org.au or call 1300 642 111 for more. Note that members of ReddiFund are entitled to six free counselling sessions with MATES in Construction.

Work out your fixed costs and living expenses so you know the minimum wage you need to earn each week to meet your financial obligations.

Spring into action immediately It takes time not just to find and apply for

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a job, but for the interview and decision process to unfold. So don’t wait for any redundancy payout to run out before you draw up an action plan, update your resume and work out what job hunting methods are going to be most beneficial (such as online services, newspapers, recruiters or your own networks). Let people know you’re available for work.

Job leads can come from surprising places, including friends, family, past employers or former customers. Also consider using social media (such as LinkedIn or Facebook) to advertise your availability.

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

Use the opportunity to upskill

Be flexible In a reducing job market, consider temporary or contract roles. Temporary positions can often lead to something more and you’ll be earning money. While it can be a matter of pride to accept work that is beneath or outside your skill level, doing so should be considered as a viable stop-gap solution while you look for a more permanent or suitable role.

See yourself as a skill set, not a job role Make a list of all your skills, attributes, education and training. See yourself as someone with multiple skill sets, rather

than a particular type of job role, and use the opportunity to make a career change.

For example, many organisatiosn may seek qualified tradespeople for sales, account management or customer support roles.

Get your finger on the industry pulse Businesses expand and contract all the time and there will be both hiring and job shedding. Research what is happening in the industry through media, industry associations and your networks. Develop knowledge of organisations and projects that are starting up, expanding or contracting and don’t be afraid to make direct approaches to them, even if no roles are advertised.

Rehearse and prepare Consider job hunting to be your job and devote time each day to tailoring your resume, application letters and other job hunting tools. It can be infuriating when you put in maximum effort and a recruiter or employer doesn’t get back to you. But know that it is commonplace, remain positive and focus on being the best candidate for the job. That means writing a new application for each role rather than rehashing old ones, ensuring you have the right referees for the particular role, and researching the companies you might join and the people who may interview you.

Check your baggage With a slow employment market, competition for jobs is strong and the number of applications for every advertised role is high. Be honest about your redundancy - you’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about - and never take your left-over anger or criticism about former employers to job interviews.

Get MORE with HBF Master Plumbers & Gasfitters Association of WA members and staff can now enjoy up to 12% off Hospital and Extras cover with HBF In addition to saving up to 12% off Hospital and Extras cover, your corporate benefits include: • Up to a 23% discount on home, landlord, boat and caravan cover.* • Up to 52 weeks complimentary cover if you are on sick leave without pay. Does not apply to overseas visitor health cover. Members must have been on a corporate plan for 12 months.

• Up to 26 months complimentary cover for your spouse & dependants in the event of your death. Does not apply to overseas visitor health cover.

Enjoy exclusive discounts and health services through HBF Momentum member benefits.

Free flu vaccinations†

Free fitness sessions

Plus free health checks for eligible members^

15% off purchases at Friendlies pharmacies

Discounted swimming and gym memberships

and much more

call 1300 132 549 | email corphealth@hbf.com.au

*Discount level will vary according to number of policies held. General insurance issued by CGU Insurance Limited (CGU) ABN 27 004 478 371 AFSL 238291. HBF Health Limited ABN 11 126 884 786 AR No. 406073 is an authorised representative of and also acts under a binder from CGU. This is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement available from HBF on 133 423 or from hbf.com.au when deciding whether to buy or hold these products. †For members on eligible products, up to annual maximums. Service eligibility applies. ^For members on eligible products at selected Friendlies pharmacies up to annual maximums.

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

CAN SOFTWARE REALLY BENEFIT MY BUSINESS?

THE ROLE OF SOFTWARE IN BUSINESS With today’s economic conditions and tight competition, it is critical for businesses to gain every possible efficiency in their processes.

Part of creating those efficiencies includes identifying the right tools.

Automation of repeatable processes, faster access to information and the ability to produce professional and more accurate quotations are some of the areas in which software can help.

But there are more ways software can assist, which depend on the stage of the business life cycle, size of the business and its ability to invest in systems.

It’s likely your business has been introduced to software, whether that’s Excel or an accounting package. But software can take many more forms and have a much more significant impact.

EXCEL AUTOMATION Have a pre-existing quote workbook in Excel? Chances are it can be enhanced by adding macros or code behind it to automate the common tasks you’re performing.

Excel can also retrieve data from an external source, such as a supplier catalogue.

If there are numerous steps you always manually follow, chances are these can be programmed into Excel to either reduce or eliminate altogether the manual steps, thus saving you a significant amount of time.

Excel automation is often the cheapest and quickest way for a business to gain value from software consultancy.

CUSTOM DATABASES Databases are the next step in the evolution

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from Excel. Like Excel, databases store information in rows and columns, but the power of a database is in its ability to capture complex relationships and perform queries to retrieve data.

Rather than having information repeated in a number of places, it can be stored in a single location and referenced.

Databases have many Excel-like features but take these to the next level.

WHERE TO START Companies of all sizes can and should utilise software to empower their businesses and extend efficiencies for tasks. And the good news is that it’s never too late to start.

The size of your company and the processes you already have in place will determine the value to be gained and best approach to implementing software solutions.

If you already have an existing quotation system in Excel which is more or less coping with demand, it is most likely possible to refine a few elements in your current workbook to gain some immediate benefits for a low investment.

If you’re finding it difficult to keep track of current quotes or spending a significant amount of time in maintaining price lists or manually updating quote letters, it might be time to investigate how a more evolved software system can help.

This process usually starts with stepping through any unique processes your business follows and identifying the steps currently causing pain. There are some basic questions to ask: • Is the same information being entered multiple times?

• Are there areas in your business where the team has difficulty getting up-to-date information?

• Are you stuck on tasks that could be automated?

There is plenty of extremely powerful software available – and with the right implementation, businesses will realise both significant time savings and cost reductions.

At ASC Software, we’ve built systems which utilise a central price list to ensure all quote prices are current, generate consistent quote letters and handle the generation of claims or invoices, then push them across to an accounting package of choice.

We’ve worked with a variety of businesses including plumbers, electricians, as well as those in mining, finance, distribution, manufacturing and sales.

For a number of years, we focused on building custom systems for clients. Time and time again, businesses approached us after analysing ready-made packages and not finding anything to fit their needs. Many people reported that the available systems were far too “clunky”, inflexible or expensive.

So we set about building a more fit-for purpose job management solution, Ascora.

WHAT IS ASCORA? Ascora is real-time Job Management software designed for tradies. It runs across web and smart devices - including iPad, iPhone and Android to cover all operational aspects of your business.

It helps manage your jobs, workforce and projects.

What would it be worth if you could produce a quotation in half the time it currently takes? How about receiving payments directly on your iPad immediately after a job is completed? What if your PC could automatically send out reminders on overdue invoices to clients or send SMS reminders to clients about an upcoming site visit or booked job? What if when you left your last job for the day all required paperwork was already completed?

This frees you up to be able to focus on the other areas of your business, get through more jobs in the day, make more profit by working more efficiently - and ultimately being able to spend more time at the end of the day with family and friends.

Sign-up for a free trial at www.ascora.com.au and see how Ascora can take your business to the next level.

Want to find out more? Contact Courtney or the ASC Software / Ascora Team on (08) 6311 5555, email courtney@ascora.com.au, or visit www.ascora.com.au

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BUSINESS ESSENTIALS PICTURE Danella Bevis

Greg McAtamney knows what it takes to manage cashflow.

Picture: Danella Bevis

LESSONS FROM A SHEEP SHEARER What can plumbers learn from a sheep shearer? How to keep ahead of cashflow, for one.

E

very year a million sheep are shorn across Australia.

Greg McAtamney contracts hundreds of shearers every season to shear 550,000 of those sheep. It’s a booming seasonal business - his team numbers double in peak times, when he pays $80,000 in wages.

But as for money from clients, he won’t see that for some time - potentially even after his staff ’s contracts have run out.

Sound familiar? It’s an issue that plagues many business owners including plumbers.

Often during times of growth or on big projects, there may be a long wait to get paid.

“Cashflow can be a struggle, but I really want to pay my staff weekly and do whatever I can to make sure they’re happy,” McAtamney says. “We feed them and buy them shearing gear – that all requires big amounts of money at certain times of the year.”

Whether you’re a sheep shearing contractor or a plumber, one thing that’s probably not included in your apprenticeship is a crash course on finances.

However, it’s a crucial part of your progression as a tradesperson and for many, as a business owner. This is true whether you’re a sole trader or you’ve got a few apprentices under your wing.You need to know what to charge, how to save and how to manage your incomings and outgoings.

That’s why we’ve put together these simple tips to help you and your business thrive.

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A BUDGET IS YOUR BEST MATE If you don’t already have one, a business budget should be as essential as a work vehicle. It’s the only way to know if you’re getting paid (or not), who you owe money to, how much staff entitlements might be and any large annual costs you need to prepare for your tax bill.You can find a range of handy lists, templates and tools at sites such as www.business.gov.au.

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP If your homeowner has a leaky tap, they may try to fix it themselves, but if they get blocked pipes, they’ll call you straight away.

The same goes for finances. If you have a little bit of knowledge you might be able to do a straightforward tax return but running a business, making sure you’re putting enough in super and working out what

“Cashflow can be a struggle, but I really want to pay my staff weekly and do whatever I can to make sure they’re happy”

exactly you can claim at tax time will all benefit from an accountant’s touch.

Choose an accountant you think you like and can trust to do the right thing there are some that specialise in working with trade-based professions.

PAY AND BE PAID ON TIME If you lend your mate $10 to buy a beer, you’d forgive him for waiting a week or two to repay the favour.

The business world is just the same - and while you might be out of pocket that won’t stop the expenses coming in.

So where do you turn to manage the gap between paying and being paid?

As his business grew, McAtamney realised he would need to consider financing options during these busy periods. He spoke to his accountant about his options.

The first that came to mind was taking out a business loan through a bank - but he didn’t want to put up his home.

That’s why he reached out to alternative lender, Kikka, for a line of credit to help manage the bumps. He even ran the idea past his accountant who crunched the numbers to decide it was the best option for his business.

David Brennan is the CEO and founder of leading online small business lender Kikka.

See www.kikka.com.au.

BUSINESS ESSENTIALS

Fringe Benefits Tax – business expense or missed opportunity?

RIGHT BUSINESS STRUCTURE CREATES STRONG FOUNDATION

W

T

ith the end of the 2017 FBT year here, it is time for all businesses with employees to determine if they have an obligation to pay FBT. Based on my experience dealing with FBT over more than 20 years, I’ve seen that many businesses either do not understand FBT or see it as a business expense to be minimised or eliminated.

The common responses I get from clients when talking about FBT are that they pay too much FBT, are looking for ways to reduce their bill or don’t provide benefits because they don’t want to pay FBT. These comments are usually the result of a poor understanding of the various FBT concessions and exemptions and how FBT interacts with other taxes.

If FBT is simply a business expense, then can it be minimised or eliminated?

The short answer is yes. When looked at in isolation, there is no reason why this cannot be the case. But what are the consequences?

• Will it actually reduce overall business costs?

• Will it impact on business operations?

• Will it affect your employees?

Before any decision is made to look at ways of reducing your FBT expense, factors to be considered include the nature of the benefits being provided, the operational requirements of the business, employee expectations and entitlements, and the impact on salary on-costs, such as payroll tax and the Superannuation Guarantee (SGC).

When considering these factors, it is important to understand there are two broad categories of benefits: Business benefits – these arise as a normal incidence of business and include operational vehicles and entertainment Remuneration benefits – these relate specifically to a particular employee’s terms of employment and can include company provided non-operational vehicles and allowances Let’s look at some of the common types of benefits to see what the options and possible implications are.

Those with question marks indicate potential outcomes only and are subject to individual circumstances.

Operational vehicles – can’t really do without them • Cash out – pay an allowance, taxable to employee who must claim an offsetting tax deduction  FBT  Payroll Tax • Change FBT valuation method – FBT opportunity  FBT?  Payroll Tax? • Use exempt vehicles – dual cab utes – FBT opportunity  FBT ?  Payroll Tax? Company provided non-operational vehicles • Cash out – pay an allowance, taxable to employee who must claim an offsetting deduction for any business use  FBT  Payroll Tax  SGC? • Change FBT valuation method – FBT opportunity  FBT?  Payroll Tax? • Include value as part of total salary and allow novated leases  FBT – paid by employee  Payroll Tax – lower salary Entertainment – can’t really do without it?

• Reduce overall entertainment spend  FBT  Payroll Tax • Cash out – pay an allowance; taxable to employee and no offsetting deduction can be claimed  FBT  Payroll Tax  net entertainment spend  SGC? • Change FBT valuation method – FBT opportunity  FBT?  Payroll Tax? When considered in isolation, FBT is a business expense to be minimised or eliminated. However, when considered as part of the bigger tax system, FBT provides opportunities that could reduce overall business costs. Paying FBT should not be considered a bad thing – at least in the first instance – as the alternatives could end up costing more.

For more information on FBT and other business tax queries, contact Shawcross Consulting on 0414 801 824.

For more information on FBT and other business tax queries, contact David Shawcross.

he process for starting a business is like building a house. Without a strong foundation, the house may not offer the security required.

Likewise, a business needs to be set up with a structure that accommodates growth opportunities and succession planning while limiting risk to assets of the individuals involved.

But when setting up a business, owners often fail to budget for advisory costs which often results in them putting pressure on advisors to offer cheaper/vanilla structures with a one-size-fits-all approach.

Others will settle on the structure early and fail to review it as their business changes.

While there is nothing wrong with coming up with the initial structuring recommendations early, it is critical to test the structure for implications.

An increasingly common approach is to let the structuring process guide you towards the final outcome.

But this does not mean the businesses should invest in obtaining a structure that would be faultless for all circumstances.

Generally, you will need to prioritise the objectives which are most important and significant to the business. But be aware of other possible implications and costs.

• Things to consider • Type of business and growth potential • Funding strategy and cost of capital • Industry requirements • Ownership structure • Succession planning • Asset protection • Profit (or loss) sharing and drawings or salaries • Annual taxation implications • Exit strategy and capital gains tax Restructuring The factors to consider when restructuring a business are no different but you also need to understand the implications of exiting the current structure and manage the existing business risks such as suppliers, customers, employees and banks.

The concessions introduced for small business restructure from 1 July 2016 present an ideal opportunity to review your current business structure and determine any necessary changes.

For more information, contact Malav Oza at PKF Lawler on 9426 0666.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE TRAINED

BY THE BEST?!

MPA Skills is the largest provider of specialist apprentice training for the Western Australian Plumbing Industry

TRAINING CAMPUSES NORTH & SOUTH OF THE RIVER Outstanding practical training facilities at Bayswater, Maylands and Jandakot.

Report Card for each apprentice & employer at each training stage.

Industry based and Industry focused.

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Contact MPA Skills 08 9471 6600 or visit www.mpaskills.com.au

Training OVER 60% of WA’s Plumbing Apprentices

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Viega delivers for Curtin University hydraulics installation

S

cience laboratories take careful planning with power, gas, chemical and water delivery systems and no margin for error.

Such was the case when it came to constructing the new $32 million world-class Centre for Crop and Disease Management at Curtin University.

The centre, which officially opened in December, conducts research and development to reduce the impact of grain diseases and provide solutions to critical factors impacting farm business resilience.

It also integrates molecular sciences with field-based agronomy to help farmers to understand and apply new technologies.

Doric Builders was appointed to build the new facility and appointed Selected Plumbing to carry out complex hydraulics work.

Copper pipework had to be installed for the hot water system, cold potable water and non-potable water systems. There was also a natural gas piping riser system to serve hot water boilers and provide gas to the various laboratories throughout the building.

Pipe sizes varied from 15 millimeters to 80 millimeters and were installed across

three floors of the building.

“The job was not only large in scale, but presented several challenges,” said Selected Plumbing Director Des Smith.

“That’s why we decided Viega’s Propress System was a natural choice when it came to installing copper pipework.”

Des said the building’s design meant

copper tube was always the preferred method of installation.

“While we are aware of cheaper alternative copper pressing systems, our decision to use Viega Propress was based on quality and past success we had enjoyed when using the Viega press-fitting system on other high profile projects,” he said.

“Although the cost of the fittings exceeded the price of brazed fittings, the quality of Viega and the backing of its 25-year warranty and local support gave us the confidence that this was the way forward for this project. Also, prior to starting the project, all personnel involved in the installation were trained by Viega.”

Space available for pipework installations was restricted in some areas.

If the brazing method was used, it would have created challenges not only from a work health and safety perspective, but resulted in excessive installation times that could have threatened the overall progress of the project and resulted in extra costs and penalties.

Selected Plumbing considered that Viega’s system would also reduce the need for hot works permits.They also needed to be confident that their products would meet the high standards set out by both the university and the engineers,Wood and Grieve.

Des said there were further benefits to using Viega on the Curtin University project.

“Contamination, which is initially present within a brazed system, has been reduced by using the clean, heat-free system” he said.

“It has helped us maintain the much needed high quality of water required for this project.”

Viega Propress’ Smart Connect-Feature guaranteed that any fittings which had not been pressed would leak at pressures as low as 2.2 Kpa, providing an easy way to test the installation and check that all required work had been completed.

“It reassured us that, upon pressure testing the installation at various stages, all fittings had to be mechanically connected or else they would have leaked,” Des said.

“We have used Viega Propress before on other projects, and yet again it has proven to be a reliable and safe product that has helped deliver the project to the standards our customers expect from us.”

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Hot water Pronto R

heem Australia has entered the instantaneous mechanical gas water heater segment with the launch of its Pronto models.

The Rheem Pronto systems use the same mounting point locations and connections as most common mechanical water heaters, allowing quick and easy installations.

Available in 12L/minute or 16L/minute capacities, as well as natural gas and propane models, the systems’ compact size means they can be installed in tight spaces. There is also a single lever to switch between summer and winter operation. The heater can be set to 45°C, 50°C or 60°C, depending on the end user’s requirements (but a tempering valve must be installed if regulations require).

The Rheem Pronto 12 has a 6-star energy rating, while Rheem Pronto 16 is rated 5.9 stars (natural gas) and 5.8 stars (propane). In addition, the water heaters feature an inbuilt hydroelectric generator, meaning no electrical connection is required.

The Pronto systems also feature electronic overheat protection, an over pressure relief valve on the outlet to protect the heat exchanger, as well as an inlet water strainer. The unique flue terminal design ensures Rheem Pronto performs reliably - even in windy conditions.

For more information, call 132 552, visit rheem.com.au, or contact your local Rheem dealer.

Shake off the shakes

T

he health dangers of vibration from power tools and other vibration machinery can be significant.

See Not such good vibrations on page 25 for more information.

ProChoice has created a glove to help protect workers from circulation, nerve and tissue damage that can result from long-term exposure to vibration.

The ProSense ONE Plus Anti-Vibration work glove has an anti-vibration foam padded palm and can be used when handling power tools for a range of tasks and functions.

The back of hand TPR padding protects the user’s hands from knocks and scrapes, while the micro foam nitrile palm provides enhanced grip.

Other product features include a seamless liner for comfort and durability, and a reinforced thumb for added protection. The glove has been designed in accordance with Glove Safety Standard EN 388 4241.

For more information about Pro-Sense ONE Plus – Anti Vibration Gloves see www.prochoice.com.au.

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Call us on (08) 9481 0259 ReddiFund is a WA based redundancy fund open to all employers within the building and construction industry to provide for their obligations under the award for their employees in the event of redundancy.

Great benefits are available by joining our Mutual Benefit Fund which provides the following indemnity coverage for employees:

• • • • •

Loss of wages should death or permanent disability occur in travel between home and work (Journey Cover).

Expenses for ambulance or emergency transport when sick or injured anywhere in Australia (Ambulance Cover).

Funeral expenses arising from your death (Death Cover).

Childcare benefits provided upon the death of the member or their partner (Childcare Cover).

Leisure Travel Cover (Travel Cover).

Get more with ReddiFund and HBF Corporate Health Plan •

Up to 12% discount on health insurance cover

•

Up to 23% discount on home, car and boat insurance cover

ReddiFund is the major sponsor of MATES in Construction

CCA

Level 1, Unit 2, 44 Parliament Place, West Perth, WA 6005 • Email: info@reddifund.com.au © ReddiFund 2013, ABN 98 009 404 273

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Flexibility in RIDGID wet-dry vacuum range

R

idge Tool Australia has released a range of industrial wet/dry vacuums ideal for applications in plumbing environments.

The RIDGID Wet Dry Vac range includes 6, 12 and 16 gallon (22, 45 and 60L) models, each providing powerful performance, rugged long-lasting construction, on-board accessory storage and innovative designs that provide

versatility for use in a broad range of applications.

The Ridge Tool Company is a world leading manufacturer of professional quality pipe and tube working tools serving the plumbing, mechanical, construction, HVAC, location, electrical and facility maintenance industries.

For enquiries see www.ridgid.com.au or phone 1800 743 443.

Gold for AXOR Citterio Select kitchen tap

AXOR’S CITTERIO SELECT kitchen tap received gold at the 2017 German Design Award, held in Frankfurt in February.

The innovative design, jointly developed with long-standing design partner Antonio Citterio, was one of just 45 products and projects from a field of 4,058 that were recognised with the Gold Award.

According to the jury: “The AXOR Citterio Select kitchen tap is a successful example of the perfect interplay between form, function and material. Thanks to outstanding ergonomic features, a pleasing feel, useful functions and intuitive controls, the tap is suitable for use by all ages. An exceptionally elegant product, which is formally and functionally impressive at an extremely high level.”

New mixer collection for aged care market ENWARE HAS CREATED a range of showering and handwashing mixers for the health and aged care market.

The Leva range has a modern design that is easy to use, maintain and clean. The mixers are suitable for most basin types with the addition of a suitable spout, available separately from Enware.

The sequential ceramic disc cartridge moves from “off” to “full cold” to “mixed” to “full warm” in a single anti-clockwise rotation without needing to lift, making it easy to control for users with arthritic or mobility conditions.

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As the tap does not draw any hot or warm water until the handle is moved to the mixed position, energy can be saved and the risk of legionella and other waterborne disease is reduced.

Installation is simple and, unlike other single lever mixers, some adjustability is offered with up to 25mm of depth variability. Spare parts are available and both products come with a five year warranty.

For more information contact Enware on 1300 ENWARE or email info@enware.com.au

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Death and serious injury toll rising from preventable falls

F

alls are the most common cause of death and account for half the hospitalisations from workplace incidents in the Australian construction sector.

According to analysis by LINQ Height Safety Equipment, 21 Australian workers suffer serious injuries from falls at work every day. It is an alarming statistic and one that former carpenter David Crawford knows too well.

In 1991, David became a quadriplegic when the roof he was working on gave way.

He is now an advocate for height safety and implores workers not to leave their harnesses in the back of their vehicles.

“Your harness is not going to help you unless you’re actually wearing it,” David said.

“I constantly see guys standing on roofs without harnesses. I see plumbers erecting gutters. I see tradesmen hanging over the edges. They have no fall protection, no harnesses, nothing.”

While a harness definitely improves the chance of survival, it must be appropriately designed and fitted, according to LINQ’s Chief Technical Officer, Stephen Sugden.

Stephen says many workers wearing harnesses are found unconscious after a fall due to head collisions at the moment of impact.

“Many harnesses have a floating rear dee setup with a piece of plastic holding the dee in place, so that at the moment of impact there is a risk the dee will break through the plastic holder and smash the back of the worker’s head,” Stephen said.

He cited LINQ research which led to

the design of harnesses with a closed loop system, which will not allow the rear dee to move on impact.

Stephen also stressed the importance of the harness fitting correctly and having a central front attachment point to limit sideways forces which can lead to rib injuries and even punctured lungs.

Even if people survive a fall uninjured, there is still danger due to a tourniquet

effect from ongoing suspension in a harness, where pressure is put on the femoral artery that can limit blood flow to vital organs.

Stephen said LINQ’s Suspension Trauma Strap enabled the removal of all pressure on the femoral artery and has been proven to alleviate the dangers of suspension trauma.

For more information and to find local stockists, see www.linqhs.com.

Rheem’s of information in new handbook Rheem has launched a new pocket-sized guide for all its domestic and selected heavy duty water heater models.

“Our comprehensive guide helps plumbers find the information they need very quickly,” said John Wilkins, Rheem Australia product marketing manager.

Designed for plumbers to use on site, the waterresistant handbook provides technical assistance and support for Rheem hot water unit installations.

“It provides all the key information from product features, dimensions and specifications to the type of installation,” John said.

“Every category is covered, including electric storage, gas storage, continuous flow/instantaneous, solar and heat pump plus popular accessories and options.”

The handbook includes detailed installation checklists and safety guidelines for the various different types of hot water systems, in addition to information on anodes.

To get your free Rheem Plumbers’ Handbook, SMS “Rheem” to 0447 444 004.

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LIFESTYLE - TRAVEL

No cure for infectious Broome Looking for a short escape? GLOBETROTTER TRAVEL provides some inside tips on making the most of a quick Broome getaway.

T

here is something about Broome that infects people.

It is one of those magical places that leads first-time visitors to say “I’ll be back” and return visitors to return again and again.

Broome is near enough by direct flight from Perth to offer a quick getaway, but far enough away to make it seem like an entirely different world. And that’s typically what visitors are looking for, particularly mid-year when West Australians flock north away from the cold and wet.

There are no traffic lights in Broome, which signifies the kind of place it is. Laid back and casual.

Of course, one of the joys of any holiday is making your own discoveries, but if your time is limited, it pays to know what to do and where to go before you arrive.

Otherwise you may find you waste half your holiday trying to figure those things out.

There are plenty of options for accommodation in Broome, but for firsttimers – and return visitors for that matter – the iconic Cable Beach Club Resort is hard to beat.

The resort’s 26 acres ensure guests have immediate access to some of those “oh so Broome” experiences – watching the sun go down with a cocktail in hand at the

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resort’s Sunset Bar and Grill, seeing camel trains saunter along the beach, or dipping your toes in the ocean. It’s enough to make even the most active soul slip into donothing mode very quickly.

But if you still feel the urge – and there’s plenty worth making the effort for – there’s an easy way to get your bearings. There are warrior horse statues all over the resort and every one of them faces reception. So if you follow the horses’ heads, it’s easy to get to the tour booking desk and the twice-daily complimentary shuttle into town.

Broome’s town centre may be relatively small but there’s plenty to see and do. Start with a stroll through Chinatown to discover the multicultural history of the town. With a significant Chinese and Japanese population at the height of Broome’s pearling days, the Chinatown area was once vibrant

and colourful – in a red-light kind of way with brothels, opium dens and mah-jong palaces dotted amongst the commercial and residential establishments.

It’s all quite above-board and family friendly today and well worth a visit.

If you’re in town at 3pm on a Wednesday or Saturday and feeling a bit parched, then head brewer from the renowned Matso’s Brewery hosts small group tours and tastings. Each tour is limited to six people so booking in advance is strongly advised.

As is a bit of extra time at the bar.

A little further afield, you can tour the Willie Creek Pearl Farm or hug a baby crocodile at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park.

The famous Horizontal Falls are spectacular by boat or seaplane. And there’s plenty on offer for the more active travellers too, from fishing and sea kayaking to 4WD adventures taking in some of the natural wonders of the area.

Then of course there’s the camel trains along Cable Beach – perfect for another sunset before heading back to Cable Beach Club Resort.

Which brings us to dinner. There are various options to satisfy your appetite with the resort. If Japanese is your thing, it’s very hard to go past Zensai, which was voted Australia’s Best Asian Restaurant in 2016. There’s also Rambutan, serving Malay cuisine by the pool, Club Restaurant which offers a range of local delicacies and Italian dishes, or the grill part of the Sunset Bar & Grill for casual food with a view.

Check out the Broome Visitor Information Centre at www.visitbroome. com.au for a lot more ideas.

But a word of warning…if this is your first time to Broome, you may well get hooked.

LIFESTYLE - TRAVEL

Globetrotter – Broome special deal

Globetrotter Travel is pleased to offer MPGA members a special deal for Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome.

Book 3 nights at the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa in 2017 through Globetrotter and you will receive: • $50 Food and Beverage voucher per room to spend at the resort • Complimentary bottle of wine on arrival Just mention MPGA2017 when booking Please call Globetrotter on 1800 999 733 and ask to speak to your Personal Travel Manager.

Also ask about Globetrotter’s Qantas Club, travel insurance or Virgin Australia domestic airfare deals.

feed your wanderlust Contact us for all your personal travel needs – quote MPGA2017 to receive your exclusive deals.

P +61 8 9442 0100 TF 1800 999 733 | 35 Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009

globetrotterlife.com.au

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

53

LIFESTYLE - TAKE 5

Take five, pull out a pen and try your hand at the Master Plumber Puzzle Page.

Solutions can be found on page 58.

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU

Novice

Š Lovatts Puzzles

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ACROSS

DOWN

1. Crowing (over) 5. Levels 9. Poppycock 10. Llama relative 12. Excusing 13. Backcomb (hair) 14. Rank, ... admiral 16. Gunman 19. Deficiency 21. Soviet Union (1,1,1,1) 24. Scratch out 25. Peach variety 27. Weather map line 28. Powerless 29. Salutes 30. Unmerited

1. Sacred Indian river 2. Weight measures 3. Tether (3,2) 4. Not as nice 6. TV charity appeals 7. From the menu (1,2,5) 8. Hobbyists 11. Encourages, ... on 15. Full of high spirits 17. Tendering 18. Sleeveless overdress 20. Universal ages 21. Insanitary 22. Homing bird 23. Discontinued 26. First Greek letter

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3.3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

Hard

Einstein

Safety Excellence Package

LIFESTYLE HUMOUR

What the…?

At home with a p

lumber

Redoing the ba on the cheap throom

EXPECTATION VS REALITY

taking hot wa ter to new heightservice s 56

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

Blue line for gas... ... and red line ex po to full sun for weekssed

SPOT ANY ISSUES HERE?

FLEXI-CONNECTIONS?

RCALL A PLUMBUESH! IT WON’T FL IT DEFIES GRAVITY

G C OMIN S O O N!

REWARDS

|

TRAINING

|

DESIGN

The new online platform for everything REHAU launches soon!

To find out more, register your interest at myREHAU.com.au Scan the QR CODEor visit the website to find out more!

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

57

More benefits for MPGA members

A

s a member of the MPGA, you receive a significant number of benefits. These range from free access to legislation and regulatory documentation, to discounts on professional services, to special deals to make life more enjoyable.

You’ll find some specific benefits including discounted insurance rates, taxation services and travel deals included in the pages of this magazine.

But the Association is continuing to arrange a wide variety of member benefits and will soon launch a web page where you’ll be able to find all the details and links to benefit providers.

In the meantime, if you have any queries or want to know more about the benefits of becoming a member, please call Membership Services on (08) 9471 6661 or email mail@mpawa.asn.au.

REACH A TARGETED AUDIENCE WITH MASTER PLUMBER Do you need to gain relevance with a highly captive audience of decision makers and key influencers in the plumbing and gasfitting sector?

Master Plumber, coupled with the MPGA’s range of print, digital and display options, provides multichannel opportunities to reach the people that matter.

Get in touch today to discuss your needs and how MPGA can help.

Email advertising@mpawa.asn.au or call (08) 9471 6661 to find out more.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS From p54

58

MASTER PLUMBER | AUTUMN 2017

FLOWGEN flow

control

solutions

DELIVERING ALL THE BACKFLOW ANSWERS WE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH A PRACTICAL & AFFORDABLE BACKFLOW SOLUTION FOR EVERY APPLICATION • Backflow test kit calibration • Reduced pressure zone • Double check • Dual check • Single check • Detector assemblies • Watermark butterfly valve • Watermark resilient seated • Complete assemblies with isolation valves & strainers • AS/NZS 2845.1

EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR - W. A

Ph: 1800 FLOWGEN

East Victoria Park, Perth

enquiry@flowgen.com.au

VALVCHEQ

GA

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