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Industry News
CHANGES TO STATE GOVERNMENT PRE-QUALIFICATION QUESTIONS
On 1 July the Queensland State Government changed the process and some questions under their pre-qualification for contracting (PQC) process. PQC is required by contractors who want to work on State Government projects.
Based on how the PQC form is filled in, a contractor may qualify to contract for the government up to a certain value.
The form now includes several questions about initiatives to improve mental health and preventing suicide. These questions are designed to help the government agencies identify, and work with, suppliers who have a focus on the long-term mental health of their workforce.
This article will deal specifically with the following questions.
Have you delivered projects with site accreditation by a recognised mental health and suicide prevention program such as MATES in Construction in the past?
If a “Yes” answer is entered, then the form provides an option to attach a MATES in Construction builder’s report or another accreditation. The form further asks: Do you commit to achieve site accreditation on all Queensland
Government projects in the future?
MATES in Construction is an industry-based mental health and suicide prevention program available free of charge to MPAQ members. A field officer will work specifically with your business to help implement the MATES program.
MATES in Construction provides the following levels of training to you and your staff: • MATES Awareness Training (MAT) – A 15 minute toolbox delivered to small sites or companies with less than 15 workers where it is not practicable to run the General Awareness Training. • General Awareness Training (GAT) – A 45 minute session about suicide delivered to all workers and employers on sites with more than 10 workers. • MAT and GAT is focusing on basic awareness about the risk of suicide in our industry and how to notice when a workmate is having a hard time. • Connector Training – A four hour course delivered on sites (to a minimum of 10 workers) or in mixed sessions from various sites delivered off-site. • We encourage all businesses to have at least one connector per 20 employees. Connectors are trained to start conversations about suicide and to connect people to help and support. • ASIST Training – A 16-hour course in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training delivered off site.
Where practicable workers should have access to an ASIST worker.
MATES also operates a 24-7 support line and help individual workers through case management.
To become an accredited project or company you must ensure that: • all workers are trained in either MAT or GAT as applicable; • training is topped up when required as new employees start; • a minimum of 1 in 20 workers are trained as connectors; and • there is reasonable access to an ASIST worker.
A builder’s report is an overview of the business’s past engagement with MATES in Construction. Please ensure you speak with a MATES in Construction field officer about the report to ensure all your data is recorded.
The form also asks: Are you a signatory to the Australian Building and
Construction Industry Blueprint for Better Mental Health and Suicide
Prevention? If “Yes” is answered to this question you will be asked to attach a certificate of being part of the blueprint.
The blueprint provides a number of ideas for how to create a mentally healthier workplace for you and your staff. What you do will depend on your business—so different businesses will do different activities.
Partners in the blueprint are required to do a self-audit of activities and will be provided with suggestions of activities based on the self-audit.
MATES in Construction has a consultant available to assist business in engaging with the blueprint.
If you want further information about how to run the MATES in Construction program or how to join the blueprint, call MATES in Construction on 1300 642 111 and speak to a field officer.
Article written by MATES in Construction
SMART FORM SPEEDS UP PQC APPLICATION PROCESS
The prequalification (PQC) contractor and consultant application form has been converted into a smart form to make prequalifying and applying for Queensland Government building work a faster, simpler, and more user-friendly experience for new and existing registrants.
There is a smart form for contractors and a smart form for consultants.
With the addition of drop-down boxes, auto-population, and ability to attach documents such as management system certificates and referee reports, there is no need to scan, then email or post the printed application form. The electronic format enables automatic submission.
The smart form also saves time by ensuring that all mandatory information is provided by an applicant prior to submitting it.
The same form can be used by existing registrants to update their details, such as recently completed projects, so that they are eligible for more, higher value Queensland Government building work.
With the smart form, the PQC team is aiming to assess all new applications in four weeks or less.
A reduction in application questions and improvements to the time taken on compliance checks with regulators and referral agencies is also being investigated to further reduce assessment to two weeks.
The smart form includes specific mental health and suicide prevention questions that were developed with MATES in Construction and the Queensland Mental Health Commission. These questions will help Queensland Government agencies identify, and work with, suppliers who have a focus on the long-term mental health of their workforce.
The Department of Housing and Public Works is continuing to sponsor MATES for a further 12 months to help reduce the level of suicide amongst Australian construction workers.
For more information, email pqcregistrar@hpw.qld.gov.au or call the PQC team on 1800 072 621.
RESOURCES SAFETY & HEALTH QUEENSLAND
The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate has now become part of a new independent statutory body, Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ), which became operational on 1 July 2020 after the Resources Safety and Health Queensland Act 2020 (RSHQ Act) was passed by Parliament in March 2020.
RSHQ’s vision of zero serious harm will be achieved through engagement, regulation, education, and assisting industry to meet its obligations to protect and promote the safety and health of people from the risks associated with petroleum and gas, as well as other industry sectors regulated by RSHQ.
The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate will continue to collaborate and support the industry to achieve this vision.
For more information, visit www.rshq.qld.gov.au.
Watts happening at AVG? Expect exciting times ahead as Australian Valve Group Pty Limited (AVG), has recently been acquired by Watts Water Technologies Pty Limited (Watts). Expect new products, expect complete ranges, expect solutions for all your plumbing needs. AVG has been designing and developing a range of heating control valves in Australia for over 18 years. With a nation-wide distribution network throughout Australia, AVG has achieved strong growth and market acceptance with innovative, patented products such as the Quickie Kit, TRI-SET Pressure Limiting Valves and MAXI stop. Watts Water Technologies, Inc., through its family of companies, is a global manufacturer headquartered in the USA that provides one of the broadest plumbing, heating, and water quality product lines in the world. Its subsidiaries and brands offer innovative plumbing, heating, and water quality solutions for commercial, residential and industrial applications.
The company commented that, “Acquiring AVG will allow us to expand our product breadth and provide greater channel access to the strategically important Australian market. We are excited to team with AVG to continue to supply our customers with superior products and solutions”. Already active in the Australian market, Watts was founded 140 years ago in the USA and employs thousands of people across the globe. AVG WA AVG QLD Unit 2, 9-11 Noble St, Unit 2/21, Avatonbell Dr, The union is a natural fit for both parties. Both businesses align around the importance of Kewdale WA 6105 Luscombe QLD 4207
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investing in design and innovation, and Watts are keen to support AVG’s growth strategy in F: +61 8 9353 2689 F: +61 7 3807 9250 the Asia Pacific with their strong balance sheet and suite of new products in the local market. www.avg.net.au www.avg.net.au
The next chapter is very exciting and our major focus will be continued support of our customers and supplying the same exceptional products and customer service that proceed our reputation.
For more information contact AVG on 1800 284 287 or visit www.avg.net.au.
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LICENCE REQUIRED FOR MECHANICAL SERVICES WORK
Contractors who perform mechanical services work of any value must now have the relevant licence.
If you are contracting with mechanical services trades, you can check their licence using Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)’s Online Licence Search.
The Queensland Government established the new licensing framework for mechanical services work on 1 January 2020 to address the significant health and safety risk posed by incorrectly installed or maintained mechanical services systems such as heating, air-conditioning, and medical gas systems. Dangerous bacteria can grow and spread through improperly installed or maintained heating and cooling systems in facilities such as aged care, hospitals, and shopping centres. Improperly installed medical gas systems can be fatal.
For this reason, licensing for mechanical services trades has been changed to reflect the important and specialised skills involved in this work. The new framework is being implemented in stages.
Installation of air-conditioning systems in houses and townhouses and single-head split systems are exempt from licensing requirements if the work is valued at $3,300 or less.
If you’re thinking of applying for the Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence, recent changes to the eligibility criteria may make it easier to use your skills and experience to qualify for a licence during the transitional period: • Additional qualifications will be accepted. • If your qualifications differ from those prescribed in the Technical Qualifications document, the QBCC encourages you to submit your application, requesting the qualification be considered as equivalent. The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis. • The alternative qualification pathway will be extended to 31 December 2020. • If you are unable to demonstrate competence for the complete scope of work for the new licence class, the QBCC may be able to grant you a licence with restrictions on the scope of work you are lawfully allowed to perform.
It is important to note that you cannot contract for mechanical services work until your licence is granted.
While the proposed amendments are designed to assist a smoother transition for the industry, there are important elements of the mechanical services licensing framework that remain unchanged: • Employees who may perform mechanical services work do not need to be licensed until 1 January 2022 if the work is performed for their appropriately licensed employer. • Apprentices performing mechanical services work must be supervised but do not require a licence. Persons who complete their apprenticeship after 1 January 2020 will be required to obtain a licence to perform mechanical services work.
As an outcome of the new licensing framework, Queenslanders can be confident that those who carry out mechanical services work have the required skills.
Learn more about mechanical services licensing at www.qbcc.qld.gov.au. Apply for a mechanical services licence via myQBCC.
Article supplied by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC)
ALTERNATIVE QUALIFICATION PATHWAYS –MECHANICAL SERVICES PLUMBING
6 MONTHS RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Option 1:
QBCC Plumbing & Drainage Licence
NOT OCCUPATIONAL
Option 2:
Plumbing Apprenticeship
Option 3:
PD Act Water Plumber – Water & Sanitary
ONLY OCCUPATIONAL
The diagram above demonstrates the proposed additional alternative pathway options available for a Mechanical Services – Plumbing licence. Importantly, a plumbing apprenticeship can now be used along with six months’ relevant experience in mechanical services – plumbing work. For those applying for a Mechanical Services – Plumbing contractor, nominee supervisor or site supervisor licence, the relevant experience must be gained under a QBCC plumbing and drainage contractor, nominee supervisor or site supervisor licence.
IS YOUR ORGANISATION READY FOR THE NEW BLUE CARD LAWS?
New blue card system laws took effect on Monday 31 August 2020.
Organisations engaging people (volunteers or paid employees) in child-related work must know about the changes that are now in effect.
In the past, paid employees have been allowed to start working with children while their blue card application was being processed. The new laws mean that now paid workers must have a blue card (not a pending application) before they can work with children.
If your organisation employs blue card holders, this means that you will be prohibited from employing a person in child-related work unless: • the person holds a valid blue card; and • you have linked the person’s blue card to your organisation.
