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Industry News
MPAQ IS HIRING A TECHNICAL OFFICER/TRAINER
The Technical Officer/Trainer role provides expert technical advice and training to members of Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) and the plumbing industry. This is a fulltime position.
As an experienced licensed plumber, drainer and gasfitter who is an enthusiastic, organised, and proactive individual, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to: • Provide technical advice, representation, and support to members • Provide interpretation and explanation of relevant plumbing legislation, Australian Standards, etc. • Produce technical materials, equipment, resources, etc. • Liaise with industry and other technical personnel • Provide support in performing site inspections and the preparation of written reports as required • Assist and develop written articles for various forms of publications • Assist in the development and delivery of industry relevant training materials
To read the full job criteria or to apply, scan the QR code or visit www.mpaq.com.au/ workplacerelations/employment/ jobvacancies
POSTPONING THE REPEAL OF HEAD CONTRACTOR LICENSING EXEMPTION
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission Act 1991 (Act) provides that a person must not carry out building work unless they hold an appropriate contractor licence.
However, an exemption under schedule 1A, section 8 of the Act allows an unlicensed person to enter into building contracts and arrange for building work to occur, provided the work is not residential construction work or domestic building work and is carried out by an appropriately licensed contractor.
Section 125A of the Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) and Other Legislation Amendment (BIFOLA) Act repeals this licensing exemption for head contractors. The provision was included in the BIFOLA Act as a result of a recommendation made by the former Transport and Public Works Parliamentary Committee, following feedback about the misuse of the licensing exemption.
The repeal was due to take effect on 24 July 2021.
What Are the Changes?
BIFOLA (Postponement) Regulation 2021 was made on 8 July 2021. As a result of the regulation, section 125A will not commence until late July 2022.
The Department of Energy and Public Works (DEPW) is working closely with building and construction industry stakeholders in relation to the implementation of this provision.
For specific information about individual licences and existing licensees visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au or call QBCC on 139 333.
Source: Building and Plumbing Newsflash 587
CHANGES ANNOUNCED: LEAD IN PLUMBING
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has given consideration to whether the permissible lead content in plumbing products in contact with drinking water should be reduced. A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was released for public comment with submissions taken into consideration by the ABCB.
A Decision RIS, which provides input to the decision-making process, was considered by the ABCB at a meeting in June. At this meeting, it was agreed to limit the lead content of plumbing products in contact with drinking water to 0.25%.
A three-year transition period will be implemented for the recertification of copper alloy plumbing products in contact with drinking water through the WaterMark Certification Scheme. This transition period will commence on the adoption of NCC 2022 on 1 September 2022.
This transition period, taken in conjunction with early advice to industry from the date of the decision, effectively provides a four and half year window for change to be implemented.
An implementation plan is being developed by the ABCB Office in consultation with impacted stakeholders.
Prioritisation of consequential amendments is being applied to applicable plumbing product specifications and the WaterMark Certification Scheme, which are necessary to ensure compatibility with the changes to the NCC.
ABCB will be releasing further details and MPAQ will keep all members up to date.
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NEW MOBILE PHONE AND SEATBELT CAMERAS ROLLOUT
Roadside cameras that detect drivers illegally using mobile phones and not wearing a seatbelt started appearing on Queensland roads in July.
Transport and Main Roads Minister the Hon. Mark Bailey MP, said the fixed and portable cameras would operate on urban and regional roads.
“Our message has been direct and simple: just put your phone away,” Mr Bailey said.
“In 2020, 23 people lost their lives and 1,475 were hospitalised because of distracted driving,” Mr Bailey said.
“43 people died and 187 were hospitalised because they were not wearing a seatbelt.
“These deaths and injuries could have been prevented.”
Mr Bailey said drivers doing the wrong thing need to change their dangerous behaviour before penalties were issued.
“Until 31 October, those caught by the cameras will not be fined,” he said. “Instead, they will receive a warning letter advising them that they’ve been caught, but from 1 November all bets are off.
“Drivers caught on camera will receive a $1,033 fine and four demerit points for mobile phone offences and a $413 fine and three demerit points for each vehicle occupant detected not wearing a seatbelt.”
Mr Bailey said the cameras were an important tool to make Queensland roads safer for all.
“Already in 2021, more than 150 people have lost their lives on Queensland’s roads,” he said. “If you are driving a vehicle, leave your phone alone. If you don’t, your selfish actions endanger not only your own safety, but others you share the road with.
“Seatbelts became compulsory almost 50 years ago because belting up saves lives, so we will look at options to increase penalties for not wearing a seatbelt so it aligns with distracted driving.
“Every dollar collected through these fines is invested back into making Queensland’s roads safer.”
Further information about the new cameras, fines, road rules, and exemptions can be found at qld.gov.au/RoadCameras.
PILOT PROGRAM PROVES POPULAR
Keeping workers’ trade skills up-to-date is critical for business. Being on top of relevant legislative changes, trends, and standards is as important as updating practical skills.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is running a voluntary pilot program for continuing professional development to fill this need. The Compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CCPD) program aims to help increase the knowledge and understanding of safety standards and financial reporting in the building and construction industry across the state.
Currently, there are no mandatory compulsory continuing education requirements for building and construction industry licence holders in Queensland.
The CCPD pilot program is a chance for those taking part to refresh their knowledge on the legislative obligations of QBCC licence holders and influence future programs, as participants’ feedback will be used to shape future offerings. Those participants who attend and successfully complete all the assessments will also gain CCPD points, which may be retrospectively credited towards potential future professional development programs.
The CCPD pilot program course delivery started in April this year and runs until October with two different courses to improve QBCC licensees’ understanding of some of their legislative responsibilities. Demand was high for the free courses, with all places filled within days of registrations opening.
The two subjects currently being trialled are:
Minimum Financial Requirements (MFR) and Annual Financial Reporting Obligations
The course provides a concise overview of MFR, critical concepts, and easyto-understand guidance on how to meet MFR and annual reporting obligations. The course is targeted to licensees in MFR categories of Self-certifying 1, Self-certifying 2, and Categories 1, 2, and 3 only.
Participants will be provided with a concise understanding of their obligations under sections 48 and 54A of the QBCC Act, how to notify the QBCC of safety incidents, and is suitable for all licensees.
For more information and to keep informed go to the QBCC Continuing Professional Development Pilot Project at www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/ continuing-compulsory-professional-development-pilot-project.
NEW SCAFFOLDING RULES PROTECT BUILDING WORKERS
New rules around scaffolding commenced on 1 July 2021 to protect the lives of Queensland construction workers.
Industrial Relations Minister the Hon. Grace Grace MP said a revised code of practice would make working on scaffolds much safer.
“Construction activity has increased substantially in recent years and so has the potentially high-risk activity of using scaffolds,” she said.
“More than 60 workers every year are seriously injured using scaffolding, with their worker’s compensation claims requiring five or more days off work.
“The code brings a raft of features to substantially boost safety for workers.
“In particular, reducing the step height between scaffolds and working platforms addresses a significant risk of falls.” The key changes include: • new entry and exit requirements for scaffolds to allow emergency stretcher retrievals; • a requirement for engineers, rather than scaffolders, to design and sign off on scaffolds; • a smaller step height between scaffold stairs and work platforms; • more detailed requirements around managing the risk of debris, falling objects, and hazardous substances; and • regular testing of scaffold welds.
It’s been close to 10 years since the current work health and safety laws commenced, and in that time nearly 6,000 notices have been issued for non-compliant scaffolding. These notices have led to fines totalling around $150,000.
More information about the Scaffolding Code of Practice can be found at www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/laws-and-compliance/ codes-of-practice/scaffolding-code-of-practice.
