Aussie Painting Contractor August 2015

Lead Poisoning and Violent Crime The extraordinary links we can no longer ignore

WorldSkills Brazil GO the Skillaroos!

Should we be worried about the

Chinese Free Trade Agreement?

The Great Door Frame Debate!

How do you paint them?

Taking care with Epoxies Preventing sensitization

www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

From the Editor Hi all, Going back to work after school holidays, in winter, can be the pits!

The recent “Arctic Vortex” left many of us feeling the cold! It’s understandable if you’re finding it hard to return to your best after a break with the family. If this is you, don’t miss Leo Babauta’s article on getting out of that funk.

This month we take a gander at what is coming out of the Chinese Australia Free Trade Agreement. It’s always a little unnerving when we hear about what goes into these agreements, only after they are already signed. Take a look at what the changes could mean for various trades and the further possible implications. Coupled with growing Chinese investment, could we be seeing a lot more offshore funded projects, built with foreign labour, reducing available jobs and driving wages down? You will have seen some of the union’s ads in response to these changes. What are your thoughts?

EDITOR Nigel Gorman EXECUTIVE EDITOR Caroline Miall CONTRIBUTORS • Ben the Painter • Caroline Miall • Jack Josephsen

Worldskills holds its international competition held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in just 12 days. We wish Sharlene Kidd, representing Australia in Painting, all the best to bring home the Gold! We have the full rundown inside.

• Jim Baker

We urge you read the rather startling, closer look at the profound impact lead paint may well have had on our poorest people globally; and the role it has played in their over-representation in the criminal justice system. Studies are revealing some incredibly disturbing statistics on the links between lead poisoning and crime.

• Leo Babauta

I would like to extend a special thanks to Jim Baker for sharing his very personal ongoing health story. He has bravely opened up to us about his journey since prostate cancer diagnosis. This is the most common cancer among Australian men, killing thousands each year when not detected early. It’s not easy to discuss, and we applaud him for tackling it head on and sharing the challenges.

Enjoy the read this month,

Nigel Gorman

nigel@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

07 3555 8010

• Justin Barlow

• Monroe Porter • Nigel Gorman • Robert Bauman • Sonia Venn

GRAPHIC DESIGNER J. Anne Delgado

Contents Page 06

The Door Frame Debate

Page 09

6 Things to Know About How to Get Out of Funk Town

Page 13

Clean Brushes

Page 14

Changes coming with ChAFTA

Page 17

Facebooking Our Industry

Page 18

How to JUMPSTART Your Business

Page 22

Waste Paint Collection Program

Page 26

Capital territory scores poorly on Workplace Health & Safety

Page 29

Proud owner of a Green Card

Page 30

International Competition in Brazil

Page 35

No Water... No Worries!

Page 36

My PC

Page 40

Epoxy Sensitisation

Page 44

Lead - a Criminal Element

Page 46

Industry Idiots

Page 47

Important Contacts

Opinions and viewpoints expressed in the Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine do not necessarily represent those of the editor, staff or publisher or any Aussie Painters Network’s staff or related parties. The publisher, Aussie Painters Network and Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine personnel are not liable for any mistake, misprint or omission. Information contained in the Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine is intended to inform and illustrate and should not be taken as financial, legal or accounting advice. You should seek professional advice before making business related decisions. We are not liable for any losses you may incur directly or indirectly as a result of reading Aussie Painting Contractor Magazine. Reproduction of any material or contents of the magazine without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Just-In Hi Good people, On the Job training! What exactly does it look like, and who plays the most influential role on site, on a daily basis? On the job training is provided by our employers, supervisors, other tradespeople, experienced brush hands, and even other apprentices. In other words all of us play an important role in on the job training. The most influential people training our apprentices on-site is anyone who takes the time to teach them and encourage them to work safely, using best practice and to industry standards.

The future of our industry’s standards and how we professionally approach running profitable and successful painting and decorating businesses in a safe working environment, relies on how we can collectively provide effective on the job training to our apprentices.

The value of on the job training shouldn’t be underestimated. Sharing our knowledge and skills is an investment in our own businesses, and in the future of the industry.

The employee who hasn’t been vested with the tips and tricks, and golden rules of the job by those of us who have been there, are likely to be the ones who don’t always use a drop sheet; don’t habitually have all the basic tools and equipment immediately at hand, religiously; is constantly wasting valuable time seeking their tools in an untidy jobsite. This type of work practice will not see your business build a strong rapport with your clients and lessens your chances of repeated work. As an industry we need to reinforce good trade practice for all of our apprentices.

When I was an apprentice 20 years ago my on the job training came from fellow (old school) tradesmen; David, Mick, Clive, Gary, Paul, Mal, Jeffrey and my employer Ken Love from Armidale N.S.W... all of these work colleagues were mentors during my on the job training.

The most important skills they ever taught me as an apprentice was to do the simple things well and consistently; work hard, do a solid 8hrs work every day, carry my basic tools all the time to maximise productivity, sand between coats, dust all surfaces prior to any brush or roller application, strain paint, whilst maintaining good housekeeping.

Justin Barlow 07 3555 8010 / 0433 724 794 justin@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

The Door Frame Debate Since Man has been on this planet, there have always been questions. Is the earth flat? Do we orbit the Sun or is it the other way around? What came first, the chicken or the egg? What stops the stars from falling?

Why is the sky blue? Is it possible to understand how women really think? (I may get into trouble for that one!)

It’s taken thousands of years for educated people to answer questions like these and it may take just as long to answer many others. But the age old question that has baffled so many people and seems to be no answer for is, ‘If there were two different colours on either side of a door and frame (for instance black on one side and white on the other), what colour would you paint the hinge part of the door frame? The colour that leads into the room or the colour on the outside!

I posted this question on three different Facebook pages and also contacted painters I know overseas in England, Russia, UAE, Sweden, Canada, USA, Fiji, New Zealand and Tasmania (sorry, just had to add that).

NT. ACT. TAS. SA. WA.

OPTION A 0

1 3 2 5

6 | Aussie Painters Network

OPTION B 2 4 1 7 10

There was a lot of controversy about the subject as everyone had different opinions (even trade teachers) saying, ‘My way is the right way’; myself included. The results amazed me as I really thought there was only one way it should be painted.

Over the last few days we collected 207 answers and divided them into separate states of Australia. This also surprised me as there was quite a difference between each.

So to relieve you from the suspense, as I know this has been stressful for those who followed the banter on Facebook……… Here are the results, with ‘Option A’ painting the hinge in the inside colour, and ‘Option B’ painting the hinge in the outside colour.

Jim Baker www.mytools4business.com

VIC. QLD. NSW. O/Seas TOTAL

OPTION A OPTION B 10 27 46

17 24 42 2 4 93 114

from $45.00 2015 August Issue | 7

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Contact Us Phone: 1300 494 188 Email: info@aussieappstore.com.au

www.aussieappstore.com.au 8 | Aussie Painters Network

6 Things to Know About

How to Get Out of

Funk Town Sometimes you just aren’t motivated, maybe you’re feeling depressed (as opposed to full-blown clinical depression), maybe you just don’t have the energy to focus on work.

We’ve all been there from time to time, and the good news is, we’ve all climbed out of this funk to some degree.

I’ve found there are two main factors to finding yourself in Funk Town: 1. You have low energy, from a lack of sleep, overwork, an illness, or overdoing (or indeed, under-doing) the exercise (you know who you are).

2. You get into a negative thinking spiral — one self-doubt leads to another, one bad thought about your life leads to another, until you no longer believe in yourself.

These two factors work together — usually when I’m jet lagged, or just went through a family crisis, or am severely sleep-deprived, I start down the negative thinking spiral.

Here’s the first thing to know about how you’re thinking during this slump: don’t believe any of your thoughts.

That’s because your mind, when it gets tired and negative, enters a

childlike state — not the “let your mind be childlike and playful” kinda childlike, but more like, “Gimme what I want or I’m gonna throw a tantrum” kinda cranky, selfish, petulant child. This is not your best self, but a self that is suffering and just wants to be comfortable. That’s completely understandable.

Second thing to know about this slump: You shouldn’t listen to the urges and thoughts of the childlike tantrum-throwing mind when you’re in Funk Town … but do listen to the needs. Your childlike self wants to rest, doesn’t want to do too much work, is tired and maybe needs some comforting.

Comfort yourself when you’re suffering. Not with food but with love. Give yourself rest when you’re tired. Make fixing your sleep a top priority. Go to bed earlier, turn off all screens, let yourself unwind, meditate while in bed, make sure there’s no TV or other lights on, and get some great sleep.

Weirdly, it also helps to get active.

Take care of sleep, and don’t overdo your activity, but if you’ve been working from home or stuck in an office a lot, it’s often better to get your body moving — go for a walk, play a sport, do something active with friends.

Third thing to know: When you’re in Funk Town, don’t believe what your mind thinks about yourself and your work. It will say, “I don’t want to do that!” or “I can’t do that” or “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t care about that anymore.” None of that is believable, simply because the mind that’s saying these things is in a state of panic and fear and extreme discomfort. That’s not a believable mind.

Instead, notice these thoughts, then tell yourself, “I’m just suffering right now. I’ll figure this out when I’m in a calmer state of mind.”

Once you’re in a calmer state of mind, feeling better, then take assessment of your work. You might find you still love it, or if you don’t, you might calmly find another path that’s even better.

The fourth thing to know: It helps a lot to talk to someone else, who has an outsider’s perspective. Talk to a friend, a spouse, a parent, a coworker, anyone. I can’t stress this enough — don’t be too proud to reach out for help.

2015 August Issue | 9

Fifth thing: Once you’ve taken care of your rest and your health, you should do some work. Not a ton, but some. Put in some diligent effort, get a little done. Just enough to feel good that you did something.

It also really helps to start clearing your plate a little, if you’re overloaded. Start saying No to work instead of Yes all the time, as a friend of mine did recently when he was in Funk Town, and you’ll feel some relief.

Finally a sixth thing to know: It’s OK to be in Funk Town now and then. We all do it, so you’re not alone at all.

It’s human to go through ups and downs, to not always be on a high of amazing psychitude. We sometimes doubt ourselves, sometimes get really tired, sometimes suffer. Don’t worry about being in Funk Town.

You’ll get out of it, and because of your experience in Funk Town, you’ll be stronger and wiser and ready to take on the next challenge with renewed gratitude.

Leo Babauta, a successful ‘simplicity’ blogger & author from California, is the creator of top 25 Blog, Zen Habits, chronicling his insights from acting significant changes in his personal and working life.

10 | Aussie Painters Network

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2015 August Issue | 11

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Clean Brushes We love it when our readers want to contribute their experiences, photos, tips and tricks of the trade. Brush cleaning and maintenance can be one of the most fiddly, annoying and costly parts of a job. This month, Ben the Painter tell us his thoughts on what works for him.

Thought I would share how I clean my brushes. I wrap my brushes in plastic at the end of the day, and can use them that way for two weeks or more; but I was finding that stubborn paint would build up around the ferrule. The Ferrule of a brush is the ring or cap, typically a metal one, which strengthens the end of a handle, and prevents it from splitting or wearing. It’s also where the paint really embeds itself in the brush, lingering and hardening the bristles.

So, though some might find it unprofessional, I tape up the ferrule. I started taping up the metal as a test see if it helped, and three years later I’m still doing it. I found that when you pull the tape it breaks the tougher bridge of paint that would form were the bristles meet the ferrule, making it harder to wash and wire brush Now, I can pull the tape off and hose my brushes, minimising the need for wire brushing. Soak them for a night or two, and your brushes are good as new.

Tips from Ben the Painter 2015 August Issue | 13

Changes coming with

ChAFTA How will the Chinese Free Trade Agreement affect the construction industry?

Recent Government changes relating to the Chinese Australia Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) have caused grave concerns for many in the building industry. The Electrical Trades Union is imploring the government to reverse the decision to abandon formal skills assessments for 457 visa holders for electricians from China.

The Fire Protection Association has expressed grave concerns for the possibilities for an increase in electrical fires with any potential for the ‘dumbing down’ of the electrical trade.

In a letter to Ministers confirming the acceptance of the changes, it was proposed that rather than testing applicants in Australia, assessment could be accessed in China, attributing them with an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR).

To date, the trades involved are Electrician, Cabinetmaker, Carpenter, Joiner, Diesel Motor Mechanic, and Auto Electrician. Further occupations are set be added to the list after two years.

Painting would no doubt be next on the list in a couple of years. It’s a sad fact that China’s workplace health and safety record is poor. The world’s second largest economy’s record is woeful, with around 70,000 deaths in industry each year.

In 2012, a chicken factory burnt down, possibly an electrical fault. Of the disaster, it was reported at the time; It wasn’t that the plant was decrepit; the building was four years old. Rather, bosses appear to have been habitually flouting safety protocols. One survivor of the blaze told the South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong newspaper, that it was usual for the poultry farm to lock most exits during operation so that workers would not wander the plant during working hours. (The Economist http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2013/06/chinas-workplaces )

14 | Aussie Painters Network

For public health and work place safety, could the discarding of skills assessment by Australian government agencies be creating a whole lot of avoidable risks?

The Trade Minister Andrew Robb says that this simply brings us into line with US and Europe. If this is so, perhaps further consultation and investigation as to what it would mean for Australia would reveal the problems that have occurred for them, if this is their standard for Employer sponsored work visas.

Under the title of Business and Skilled Worker Mobility, the agreement states it “will support increased trade and investment between the two countries by reducing barriers to labour mobility and improving temporary entry access within the context of each country’s existing immigration and employment frameworks and safeguards.”

One also wonders how increasing this access to the employment in Australia could impact on construction sector jobs.

Another possibly related issue that has been becoming increasingly menacing, is the importation of substandard building materials from China.

Things like faulty electrical cabling, glass, aluminium, steel & insulation; and It is flooding into Australia as there is little enforcing of standards and regulation.

Some even arriving with fraudulent documentation.

(See ABC report http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-24/imported-construction-materials-put-lives-at-risk-specialists/6571398)

The non-conforming material is often not detected until it comes to the finished building inspection, and, sadly, sometimes not until the offending materials wreak havoc.

Perfect examples are Infinity electrical cabling, currently being recalled before their plastic casing deteriorates and starts a fire. Affecting around 40,000 homes with a major fire risk, the overall fall out could be devastating. Or the cheaply imported aluminium cladding from Melbourne’s fire-damaged Lacrosse tower, that saw 15 floors go up in flames. Will an increased Chinese labour force in Australian construction industry lead to more companies succumbing to cheaper imports of more and varied materials that wouldn’t stand up to Australian testing?

We want to know what you think. Have your say on our FACEBOOK PAGE, or send us an email.

Caroline Miall caroline@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au 2015 August Issue | 15

Do you like working outside? Wouldn’t it be good to be out in an office or not on the same site 48 weeks of the year?!

With today’s apprenticeships you can even do your theory without going into a classroom situation by enrolling in the E-Learning course so you do all your theory part of an apprenticeship in front of a computer.

The videos show how the new method of online learning for the theory component of Painting and Decorating Trade can give employers more flexibility when it comes to training.

E-learning Management System 16 | Aussie Painters Network

Introduction to Protective Coatings

Facebooking Our Industry Whether it’s a sad indictment on our society, or just the way it is, for better or worse, we’re all a bit glued to our devices in one form or another, aren’t we? Well, most of us anyway. Between talking on our phones and facebook, as well as just about everything else, it’s not surprising.

The social cyber-sphere is also fast becoming a place for Painters to check in and connect professionally, to swap ideas, debate concepts, or just have a gripe or a laugh (there’s some comedy gold in these pages!). In case you’re all over social media, but haven’t visited these yet, here’s a rundown.

Aussie Painters Network

https://www.facebook.com/AussiePaintersNetwork Yes, that’s us! Not only can you can connect with us via our free App, website and eMag, we have two facebook groups- an open page for anyone in or outside of the industry to access, and one that you can ask to join so painters can discuss the nitty gritty. We share the most up to date news, tips and trade talk.

The Painters Institute

https://www.facebook.com/painters.edu.au?fref=ts The Painters Institute is for all professional painters, apprentices, contractors, trainers, and their professional development.

a medium for discussion, minus the influence of marketing and bias, and without fear of recriminations or repercussions for opinions. It’s a space for painters to discuss any problems they are having and generally ask advice from other likeminded Painters.

Green Painters

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GreenPainters/1502 44961715144?fref=ts The sustainability initiative for the painting industry. Representing environmentally conscious painters and decorators

Blogging Painters

https://www.facebook.com/bloggingpainters?fref=ts Online Resource for the Painting Industry.

Likeminded Painters Australia

https://www.facebook.com/groups/850039631750089 /?fref=ts This Facebook page has been setup to allow professional Painters in Australia to discuss the issues of the day in a forum of strictly painters.

It has been designed to to provide

Paint Talk

https://www.facebook.com/painttalk Professional painting contractors discussing business and trade knowledge with other painters.

2015 August Issue | 17

How to JUMPSTART

Your Business The beginning of a new financial year can be like a new beginning for a business, literally breathing new life into it. It’s the time when you want to confirm or reset the direction your business is heading in, and to make plans for the coming year. It’s the time you stop doing things that didn’t work for you in the previous year. It’s the perfect time to jumpstart your business!

Where to begin?

The first thing you want to do is set new goals for your business, or reconfirm existing goals. It might be that you want to grow your turnover by a certain percentage by a certain time, so you need to look at how you could achieve this. Ask yourself if you would need additional staff resources or stock, create a new product or service line to open up new markets. Alternatively you may want to consolidate or decrease your overheads, streamline financial administration procedures or any other improvements that can result in efficiencies and reduce your costs.

To implement your goals, no matter what they are, you’ll need to come up with a plan that sets out how you’ll achieve this. Your plan should identify the financial resources to achieve your goals, what kind of marketing activities you’ll need to get on with to win new clients, and of course an operational plan that sets out the steps to achieve your business goals.

Kicking it over It’s a bit like the chicken and the egg: what came first?

I’m still not sure about that… So it is with the various elements of your new financial year’s business plan, but you’ve got to start somewhere. You can always start by creating a budget and cashflow forecast for the next 12 months.

If you had a budget last year, you’ll be in the great position. You can also evaluate your previous budget performance and make some solid and informed

18 | Aussie Painters Network

decisions for your future forecasts. You’ll know your current costs and overheads, and your balance sheet will tell you where the areas of attention are that you need to focus on to shift the business in the desired direction. Remember to look at your gross and net profit margins and see if there are opportunities to increase your profits for your business products or services.

Look at this year’s tax bill and talk to your accountant about options to minimise your tax obligations for next year. There are some fantastic budget measures announced by the government in this year’s Small Business package that could help you save on tax… money you could use to invest in your business.

Stepping up a gear If you think that marketing is not important for small businesses, think again. A Marketing plan is like an energy drink and will provide you with bursts of momentum during the year to attract new clients or encourage repeat business.

Much is being said in the business world about marketing and chances are you’re not really comfortable with developing new strategies all by yourself. Like with all things, if you need expert advice your best course of action is to engage an expert. However, there is a lot you can do at low cost or no cost by introducing simple changes or strategies that can have a big impact.

Getting to cruise mode

and set out your regular and recurring activities in sales and business administration. Set out the steps that you need to take in order to achieve your goals, and set a time frame for your activities. Make sure you include any marketing activities and schedule them so that they are achievable.

The biggest mistake you can make in life and business is failing to plan, and all it takes is the first step in the right direction to create momentum. Take a hold of this time of new beginnings and make 2015-16 a better year than last. Taking action will always produce results!

Please Note: The comments in this article are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances.

Setting cruise mode in your car means you don’t have to watch your speed, how hard you are pressing down on the accelerator pedal with your foot, and you can move in your driver’s seat a bit more to feel extra comfortable.

A D Hamilton & Associates

That’s exactly what an Operational Plan can do for you in your day-to-day business. So DO take some time out

Copyright © 2015 Robert Bauman.

www.adhamilton.com.au

• • • • • • • for more details, visit our website!

www.paintershrpolicies.com

2015 August Issue | 19

20 | Aussie Painters Network

Taubmans Certified brings trustworthy painters and home renovators together August 2015 (Sydney, Australia) – Leading Australian paint brand, Taubmans provides an innovative solution that helps Australians who are planning a home renovation project to connect with trustworthy painters in their local area. The industry-first, interactive online service, Taubmans Certified operates in NSW, ACT, QLD and VIC, with WA and NT to follow soon.

A badge of quality and professionalism, membership of the Taubmans Certified program recognises painters as qualified professionals, certifies workmanship and ensures they are fully licensed (per state requirements) and insured.

Housed online at www.Taubmans.com.au/certified qualified painters have their own profile with photos and information which consumers can review. Included in the profiles are business details, areas serviced, business history and examples of past work. Consumers can rate their experiences of painters and read reviews by others to find the best painter for their job.

As well as ensuring that consumers can find a painter they trust to give them the best result, Taubmans Certified is designed to reward the top Taubmans painters with a raft of unique benefits.

consumers through newspaper and radio advertising, letterbox drops, and digital marketing, driving visibility and lead generation for members.

A comprehensive support kit also helps members to showcase their program accreditation and credibility with vehicle signage, on-the-job signage and polo shirts. To make quoting even easier, the kit also includes an online quoting tool, fan decks, product portfolios and easy reference guides.

Trevor Lowder, Head of Marketing at Taubmans for the Trade segment says, “Taubmans Certified helps to separate top painters from their competition by increasing visibility and driving leads, ultimately supporting them to build and support their business.

“As a member, Taubmans Certified painters are recognised as not just a painter - they’re a professional with a proven track record of quality workmanship, industry knowledge and job reliability.”

To find out more about becoming a Taubmans Certified painter, visit www.Taubmans.com.au/certified

The program is open to residential painters nationwide, and unlike other industry programs is free to join. To qualify painters must use seventy percent Taubmans products, and of these seventy percent must be ultra premium products.

To help connect painters to potential customers, Taubmans Certified provides a wide range of marketing support to its members. The program is promoted to

2015 August Issue | 21

Australian Paint Manufacturers to Seek ACCC Authorisation for the First National

Waste Paint Collection Program The Australian paint manufacturing industry has lodged an application with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to authorise the funding of a national waste paint collection program.

Founding members of the program are DuluxGroup Limited, Henry Haymes Pty Ltd, PPG Industries Australia Pty Ltd, Resene Paints (Australia) Ltd and Valspar Paint (Australia) Pty Ltd, who represent approximately 90% of architectural and decorative paint manufactured in Australia.

The industry seeks to apply a waste paint fee of $0.15 (plus GST) per litre to architectural and decorative paint in containers greater than 1 litre up to 20 litres.

This will fund the expansion of the current collection programs run by State and Territory Governments to a single nationally-coordinated Scheme, which is anticipated to reach 85% of the Australian population within five years’ time.

It will also enable, the inclusion of waste paint from the trade sector, generally excluded from domestic household chemical collections (subject to State Governments amending waste regulations to enable the collection of trade waste paint).

22 | Aussie Painters Network

“The fee is a relatively small cost compared to the environmental and safety benefits that can be achieved by the industry’s initiative for the community” said Richard Phillips, Executive Director of the Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation.

“The Scheme will make a substantial investment in improving consumer awareness and behaviour change, along with research for better end-of-life uses for waste paint” he said.

The industry’s application with the ACCC will undergo a six month assessment period, including public consultation with interested parties.

Authorisation is sought to June 2021.

Pending a favourable outcome from the regulator, the Scheme is expected to commence in May 2016.

Media Contact Richard Phillips Executive Director, Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation Phone: 02 9876 1411 Email: richard.phillips@apmf.asn.au

About the Paint Industry Australian paint manufacturers’ produces approximately $2.7 billion worth of surface coating products, with directly employment of some 7,500 people. Architectural

and decorator paint accounts for around 70% of the market. The industry has closely managed the potential for environmental impacts of paint, addressing the removal of lead in paint and developing low or zero volatile organic compound paint. The paint stewardship initiative tackles the high volume of liquid waste paint going into landfill and provides a safe and convenient disposal path for stockpiles in domestic and commercial premises.

About the Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation The APMF represents paint and ink manufacturing companies operating across Australia. Its activities include: creating industry guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of member employees and consumers; educating the community on its members’ products; technologies and environmental issues; reviewing legislation and tracking global trends that may impact the industry; and collecting and providing market data and information to members and other industry stakeholders.

info@apmf.asn.au

Looking for improvements in your business? “How To Become AReally Successful Painter� can really help you.

A copy of my book is available online jimbaker@notjustapainter.com.au

Watch Business Management for Painters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OczJfZH8M4I

2015 August Issue | 23

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2015 August Issue | 23

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24 | Aussie Painters Network

2015 August Issue | 25

Capital territory scores poorly on

Workplace Health & Safety 26 | Aussie Painters Network

Recent reports released from Safe Work Australia show that the Australian Capital Territory has a rate of serious injury that is significantly greater than the other states and territories. The organisations Unions ACT has jumped on the report to criticize Master Builders Association for pursuing a campaign against swearing onsite, asserting it is trivial in comparison to these disturbing statistics.

The SWA Report from May 2015, states that: In 2012–13p the Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest incidence rate of serious claims with 29.0 claims per 1000 workers while Victoria had the lowest with 12.9.

Secretary of UnionsACT, Alex White, is reported in the Canberra Times as saying the high rates were partially attributed to the large number of smaller scale contractors operating in the ACT. “Some of these smaller contractors simply don’t treat safety the same way larger national or global contractors with a better safety record do.” http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/actconstruction-sites-most-dangerous-in-australia-safework-australia-report-20150708-gi7p46.html Following a 2013, the Getting Home Safely Report on ACT deaths in construction produced 28 recommendations. Much has been done, but it appears there is still more work to achieve in this area for our capital territory.

See the full report here: http://www.unionsact.org. au/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/construction-industry-profile-2015.pdf On the topic of health and safety, National Safe Work Month is coming around again in October. 2015’s theme is to be Be safe. Be healthy. Because…. ‘Make this theme meaningful to you and your organisation by adding your own reasons for being safe and healthy at work. There are many reasons why it is important – start thinking about yours.’

You’ll soon find all the information you need on getting your workplace involved, at http://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/sites/swa/media-events/safety-month/pages/swam

2015 August Issue | 27

Trace MY Business Written and Developed by Jim Baker

Trace My Business will keep a record of ALL your clients.

It collects the basic information like their contact details, job description and client notes but the beauty of this program is that it also tracks

• Where the referral came from • The quote success and failure rates • Suburb comparisons • The different advertising campaigns (what works and what doesn’t)

• First projects vs repeat business • New vs existing revenue and projects • Yearly and overall client revenue • Growth analysis • Projects, who referred them, and the referrals they subsequently provided

This is a brand new online product and like my other programmes, it is accessible on any computer or smart phone just by using your email address and password.

I am offering this to you on a 90 day ‘Trial Before You Commit’ price of $1.00. After the trial period and you like the product, the cost on a monthly subscription will only be $16.90.

So for the low cost of $16.90 a month, you will be able to access all your clients and where they found you, monitor what advertising campaigns are working and what are not, but best of all, have these records available to a new purchaser when you want to sell your business.

www.mytools4business.com/tracemybusiness 28 | Aussie Painters Network

Proud owner of a

Green Card

A colleague of mine asked, ‘do you have a Green Card?’ ‘What’s that?’ I said.

He rolled his eyes heavenwards and told me to book into the course.

(Now known officially as National White Card), Work Safely in the Construction Industry [CPCCOHS1001A], provides participants with information about preventing workplace injury and illness, injury management and workers compensation in the construction industry. This training is now required for all persons involved in construction work or work on constructions sites.

For many years I was a brush-hand so when I decided to jump the fence and start my own business I was, as usual, totally unprepared and learning on my feet. So I booked in and went along.

I was the only single white female there that day. The room was filled with people whose companies sent them. They all looked very professional and during the early conversations before we started I discovered they were a mixed batch of painters, engineers, and designers. Just when I was feeling a little bit small I sat next to a man who asked me what I did, I said ‘I’m just a painter’. He laughed and said ‘hardly JUST a painter if you took the initiative to show up here’. I felt a little less

small and decided he was right, that I must find a better title than just-a-painter.

I have been blessed with great hand to eye co-ordination and a finely tuned sense of balance, even so I learnt a great deal that day. Not so much in terms of my own safety but in terms of the potential for disaster around others. I learned about onsite etiquette, though I didn’t twig to what a toolbox talk was for 20 years! I just put on my painting shoes and turned up on site.

Being welsh I have a fine sense of the ridiculous but even so I found it hard to suppress laughter at the photos of the more unusual ladder positions and other feats of gravity resistance some people adopt during their working day, and the antics some of those less concerned for their own survival.

I have reached the respectable age of …never you mind, I and I am still pretty much in one piece and like to think I have only done minimal intellectual damage to others along the way! I have decided Deputy Minister for Colour Change would be a better title for me now. Oh, and by the way, it’s a White Card now?! Get it right!

Sonia Venn

soniavenn53@hotmail.com 2015 August Issue | 29

IN FINAL PREPARATION FOR

International Competition

in BRAZIL

With less than two weeks to go, the 25 talented young trades and skills people comprising WorldSkills Australia’s 2015 Skillaroos team are hard at work training in their respective skills in preparation for the 43rd WorldSkills Competition.

The WorldSkills Competition is the biggest vocational education and skills showcase in the world. The scale and significance of this year’s competition is considerable. Held in Brazil, it is the first WorldSkills Competition to be hosted in South America and will mark the first time São Paulo’s Anhembi Park will be used to host a single event – utilising 213,000m² of competition space – roughly 10 times the playing area of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Approximately 1,200 competitors representing over 60 countries will compete in the hopes of being named World Champion in their respective skills. Australia’s Skillaroos team will compete in 23 skill categories.

17,000 industry professionals will work at the competition, and the pressure will be on as over 200,000 visitors are expected to attend the event to watch the competitors in action including an estimated total of 120,000 students.

Unsurprisingly, the output of resources will be impressive. Amongst the many types of materials required,

30 | Aussie Painters Network

the competitors will use 21 kilometres of duct tape, 92 kilometres of cabling and consume 40,000 KVA of electricity. WorldSkills officials anticipate that 63 tonnes of food will be used to serve 90,000 meals.

The Skillaroos have been busy over the last month with multiple training sessions, where they have been practicing several different competition projects to refine their skills. In addition to the time they have dedicated at home and work, several of the Skillaroos have traveled overseas for additional development opportunities.

On 4 August, the Skillaroos will attend an official Farewell Function at TAFE NSW Sydney Institute, Ultimo College. They will have the honour of meeting Senator Simon Birmingham and Minister John Barilaro, who will speak at the event and present each of the Skillaroos with their own Australian flag. The Skillaroos will also receive words of wisdom from Paralympic swimmer Sam Bramham.

The team will fly to Brazil the following morning and participate in a number of pre-competition activities including meeting officials from the Australian Embassy in Brazil and visiting school children as part of WorldSkills’ “One School One Country” programme before the competition commences on 11 August.

WorldSkills Australia CEO, Mark Callaghan is confident the team will perform well in Brazil. “These amazing young Australians have dedicated an extraordinary amount of time over the past year to their training and development,” says Callaghan.

“Like any international athlete, they have a huge support network behind them. The finish line is in sight, and despite the myriad of emotions they will feel, they need to trust in their training and the mentoring they have received from their training teams. We are very proud of their efforts and look forward to celebrating their success at the competition – success that should be celebrated by all Australians.”

See more at: http://www.worldskills.org.au/australias-besttrades-and-skills-superstars-in-final-preparation-for-international-competition-in-brazil/#sthash.Jkya3M75.dpuf

How would you describe yourself in five terms or less?

Happy, leader, trustworthy, enthusiastic and an eye for detail.

How did you first get involved in your industry?

I first got involved in painting and decorating in 2011.

A friend suggested painting when I didn’t know what I wanted as a career. I tried a pre-apprenticeship course at MPA Skills, which I completed over 3 months full time. During this time, I developed a passion for painting and continued on to starting an apprenticeship.

Would you recommend your trade to others?

I would definitely recommend painting and decorating to others because it’s so rewarding in so many different ways. It keeps you physically and mentally fit. Being a painter has career opportunities such as working overseas and having your own business.

How has WorldSkills Australia assisted you both personally and professionally?

I’ve matured a lot, and I feel a lot calmer in stressful situations. I feel that I can supervise workers at work with more confidence. Professionally, it has assisted me by opening up more work opportunities such as little wallpapering jobs and lots more work through my boss and through friends and family.

SHARLENE KIDD Painting & Decorating Competition Year: 2015 Region: Perth North Employer: GV Painting Training Institute: MPA Skills, Maylands Campus Qualification: Certificate III in Painting & Decorating National Results: Gold Medal

Skillaroo Sharlene Kidd is a creative professional with an amazing eye for detail and passion for her trade.

Would you recommend others to participate in a WorldSkills Australia competition? What advice would you give them?

I would recommend others to participle in WorldSkills Australia competitions. The advice I would give is train hard until you can do it in your sleep. Listen to your mentors and, most importantly, enjoy the experience!

It’s a once in a life time opportunity – go hard, have fun and try not to stress.

How do you feel about representing Australia in São Paulo, Brazil?

It is the biggest honour in my life to represent my country in a trade that I love. I won’t be able to wipe the smile off my face because not everyone gets the opportunity to represent their country.

For more from Sharlene, see the video at https://youtu.be/nCpQ8KnFF98 Meet all the Skillaroos at: http://www.worldskills.org.au/ COMPETITION.PHP/PAST-TEAMS/2015/SKILLAROO/?CY=2015

2015 August Issue | 31

Construction Management Sins

Through the years, I have watched contracting and construction change.

No greater change has taken place than the move from general contracting to construction managing.

In the old days, general contractors employed carpenters. Many GC’s even poured their own concrete.

Today many, if not mostly, CM personnel have little hands on craft experience. Their tools of the trade are computers and emails, not hammers and saws. This might be compared to a fine restaurant where management knows little about cooking or a vineyard without a winemaker. Construction management is here to stay as fast track construction and the CM process fits today’s building owner’s style of constructing where time means money.

However, lack of craft knowledge tied into instant communication can create chaos. Can you imagine

32 | Aussie Painters Network

Michelangelo’s response to an email from the Pope telling him that he is behind schedule or a text that the scaffold needed to be moved? Yes, most of today’s structures are not the Sistine Chapel but they all involve craftsmanship. Yes, craftsmanship has been sped up with faster drying paints, prefabbed products, easier applied materials, etc. etc. but by its very nature, craftsmanship takes time. It also requires sequencing. Just because you can instantly communicate with me by cell, text or email, does not mean that I can instantly perform a craft task. CM’s can demand more people on the job but you still can’t paint the wall until the drywall is up or put the roof on until the building structure is in place. So how can subs win in today’s construction environment?

1. Quit complaining and accept this new construction norm.

Since your new construction customer is not going to change, you must change how you manage your business and put new practices in place.

2. Visit job sites prior to starting work to ensure the work area is ready. Don’t take the CM’s word for it. Frequently, such schedule/ performance demands are done from paperwork and prints, rather than an actual visual inspection of the job. Gather information and see when the job will actually be ready and document what you need. When possible, wait as long as long as you can and have the maximum work area ready. Then attack the job to perform work as quickly and efficiently as possible. Yes, you will take some heat but if you perform big when you do perform, no one will care.

3. Understand that a good offense beats a bad defense. You must tell the construction manager what you need to stay on schedule. Use technology and planning to stay ahead of things. Take photos of work areas where you plan to be next week and clearly layout what you need to be finished or done so you can be on schedule. Don’t be rude or offensive, merely document the facts. Numerous apps are available where you can take a photo of an area, write on it what you need and email the photo. This is truly a case where a picture is worth a thousand words. Sell the CM superintendent that you are going to make he or she look good as long as you get open work area availability. Merely state the facts and as a professional layout a clear path of work. Be reasonable and realistic. In the construction manager’s on site personnel’s defense, many are buried in a sea of paper and don’t know what is needed until you tell them. Be an information allie.

Consider going digital. If you are going to stay in this fast track world, you need to do the research and be able to have jobsite digital access to prints and other information. It is hard to build something if you don’t know what you are going to build.

4. You need a better foreman. No longer can you survive with a guy who’s merely a good tradesperson Your people must be able to plan ahead and see what is needed. If they do not have that ability, project management will have to do it for them.

Wait and assume all is ok and you will die a slow death by slowed production.

5. Planning is a visualization of your goals. Each and every week plan one week in advance for the following things. a. Craftspeople: Do you have the people available to do the job or can you let a couple go to another job until this one picks up? b. Tools and equipment: Do you have the tools, lifts or other equipment that you may need? c. Material: Do you have the material needed or can you verify it is on order and will be available? d. Work area: Is the work area available? Do other crafts need to finish work before you can perform your scope of work?

In summary, everything changes. If you are not growing, you are dying. New construction is not the same business it was 25 years ago. To make matters worse, gross margins are lower and schedules tighter. The only way you can survive is to be more efficient and do a better job of preplanning.

Monroe Porter is president of PROOF Management a firm that teaches seminars and runs networking groups for painting contractors. Several Aussie painting contractors travel to the US each year to participate in his programs.

www.proofman.com

2015 August Issue | 33

www.consolidatedi .com.au Phone: +61 7 3292 1100 | Fax: +61 7 3292 1110 Email: contactus@consolidatedi.com.au I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for referring me to Consolidated Insurance Pty Ltd. I spoke to Scott about our Business Insurance and with little time, Scott emailed me back a comprehensive package for our Business and we saved over $1,000.00. Thanks again Aussie Painters Network for the great referral and all your ongoing help.

Sonya Baker www.bakerbrosmasterpainters.com.au

No Water... No Worries!

Are you looking to branch out in your painting business?

Here’s an idea that’s really taken off in the US, which could find a lucrative market in Australia, especially during times of drought when everything in the garden, especially your lawn, looks brown and dead.

The ingenious application of lawn paint has really taken off in California and other parts of the US, where drought is similarly problematic to Australia. Water departments have encouraged the total removal of lawn, to replace with rockeries and other water conserving features.

But as we know here, people do love their lawns. Now, for around a couple of hundred dollars, they can have it sprayed with a naturally derived, biodegradable, nontoxic paint, similar to those used on sporting fields, to restore their lawns to their healthy green colour. The paint job will penetrate the grass and last up to six months in some circumstances, especially in winter when there is less growth and little need to mow.

I can really see this being popular for resorts, hotels and wedding venues, golf courses and display villages, or to brighten up the garden for a special event. Perfect for selling your home, or just for the house proud out there. There’s no doubt that a lush looking green grass makes for a better presented property.

Caroline Miall caroline@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au 2015 August Issue | 35

My PC

The time had come to ditch my old PC (personal computer) when I realised that posting a letter was faster than sending an email. So now (with the help of my tech-savvy son) I have purchased a computer that is faster than a speeding bullet and has more RAMS than the South Island of New Zealand. Once NBN is connected to my office in the next few weeks….. Watch out world.

Anyway this article is not going to be about computers.

The beginning was just a ploy to get you interested in reading the rest. For those who know me and have been reading my articles over the past two years, my PC is to do with Prostate Cancer.

The reason I have brought this matter up again is I want to make you aware of it as it’s happening all around us.

In the recent month alone a client that I was about to do some more work for asked me if I could postpone the job as her father had just passed away from advanced prostate cancer. The following weekend I read an article in the Sunday paper (June 23rd) that Australian INXS rock star, Kirk Pengilly was about to leave on a holiday with his wife (champion surfer Layne Beachley), when he was told by his doctor that he had very aggressive prostate cancer. He is 57 years old. Luckily though the cancer was contained in the prostate and now he is recovering well from the treatment.

I was diagnosed with the disease in August 2013, (see articles Dec. 2013 pg. 18-20 and Sept. 2014 pg. 23-24).

As I mentioned in the earlier article, one in eleven are diagnosed with prostate cancer. As my doctor said to me then ‘It’s the best cancer a man could get,’ if caught early as it can be deadly in an advanced state. Early detection means that the cancer is contained in the prostate itself and can be treated successfully. Once the cancer escapes though, it is very hard to treat and can spread to other parts of the body.

As my PSA count was low at the first reading and the biopsy result was not at a dangerous level, my Urologist and I agreed to keep ‘active surveillance’ on it by having

36 | Aussie Painters Network

regular PSA tests. The reason for this is to be able to enjoy some ‘quality of life’ (as long as safely possible), as there are unpleasant symptoms that go with any of the treatments. After two years though, my PSA has steadily increased so I have ‘bitten the bullet’ and have made the decision to have treatment in late August.

Now many of you guys will not know and will not like to hear this, but I want to educate and tell you what the symptoms are and what is installed for me or anybody else in fact, after treatment. I can freely share this with you without any embarrassment as we (men) should all understand and beware of prostate cancer and not be afraid to talk to people about it.

No matter what treatment you have, unfortunately side-effects come with it. The two main ones are: 1. Urinary Incontinence. This refers to accidental leaking of urine, which often happens during physical activity. Pelvic Floor Muscles play an important role in bladder and bowel control. By doing pelvic floor exercises, you can strengthen these muscles and improve bladder and bowel control. The recovery rate differs in each person but in the meantime, ‘nappies’ will have to be worn until you can regain control. This doesn’t really bother me as I did wear them (not that I remember) for a few years after I was born. The only difference now is that I can change my own.

2. Impotency. Well I’m afraid the ‘flag’ is going to be flying at ‘half-mast’ for a while but what I have read and been told, the younger the age, the quicker the recovery. So hopefully it won’t be too long but in a lot of cases, this could take up to two years.

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2015 August Issue | 37

38 | Aussie Painters Network

I have accepted these symptoms and prepared to live with them, but this is not just about me or my feelings though. There is also your partner to consider because it affects them too. I am very fortunate to have a very concerned and understanding wife who is fully supportive. We have discussed it in length and made the decision together.

If you’re having trouble facing the fact of Prostate cancer or it’s symptoms, there are many ‘Help Lines’ to call with highly trained professionals willing to listen and give advice; or another alternative is to take a trip to the Children’s Critical Disease Ward in any hospital and see what those kids are going through. They are the strong one’s that really don’t deserve this in their early lives. So please, do yourself and your family a favour and get a health check ASAP because early detection is the best remedy.

DO NOT WAIT until pre-warning symptoms (like frequent urination) as they may not come. Even after two years of my first diagnoses I still do not have any symptoms. I shudder to think what stage my cancer would be in, in another two years’ time if I hadn’t had that check-up! Maybe too late for a complete cure!

Jim Baker www.mytools4business.com

2015 August Issue | 39

EPOXY

Sensitisation Have you ever had, or heard of someone, get a skin rash when working with epoxies?

Well, that skin rash could well have been a form of epoxy sensitisation. In simple terms, epoxy sensitisation describes the process in which your body becomes more and more sensitive to epoxy products and/or the chemicals used in them. Perhaps the most common sign of epoxy sensitisation occurs on the skin via rashes or dermatitis, however irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs can also occur.

The funny thing about sensitisation in general is that everyone reacts differently. Some become sensitised to certain chemicals very quickly, while others can experience high-level exposure their entire life and never feel a thing! Another quirky fact is sensitisation typically isn’t localised, i.e. the symptoms don’t always line up with the cause. I’ve heard of contractors being hospitalised, unable to see out of either eye, yet they didn’t get product anywhere near their face.

Epoxy sensitisation – what I’ve learnt Obviously the thought of an itchy skin rash or swollen eyes isn’t very pleasant at all and if you want a long, successful career in epoxy application, you must protect yourself. Here are a few key tips I’ve learnt about avoiding epoxy sensitisation – 1. Treat every chemical as though it will cause sensitisation and avoid skin contact. Wear long sleeve shirts and pants. If you get product on you then remove the item of clothing and wash the affected area with soap and water. If you wear short sleeve shirts then use barrier cream on your arms and hands.

2. Start wearing gloves. Many contractors shy away from using disposable latex gloves because they can be hard to change when hands become sweaty. An effective way around this is to put on a thin pair of cotton gloves underneath the latex gloves as the

40 | Aussie Painters Network

cotton absorbs the sweat and makes it easy to change.

Double gloving is also an easy way to keep clean – if the top gloves get dirty, just rip them off and keep going. While on the topic of latex gloves, buy powder-free gloves as users can actually develop sensitisation to the powder/sweat combination produced while they work.

3. Work as cleanly as possible and wipe dirty items on rags, not shirts or pants.

4. Some chemicals will cause sensitisation quicker than others. Generally it’s not the epoxy resin (Part A) that causes the problem but the curing agent (Part B). Some curing agents are more reactive than others and can cause sensitisation quickly if not handled carefully.

5. There are certain parts of your body that are more sensitive than others when it comes to skin contact.

The underside of your forearms is a common point of exposure and often the first area to show up in a rash.

It goes without saying that you must wash your hands before eating or going to the toilet as these regions are very sensitive!

6. Wear a mask. This should be a given for solventborne users to avoid breathing in harmful solvents, however even solventless epoxies give off a small amount of vapour that can build up in confined spaces and cause problems.

7. The final tip I want to give is the one that you must take away from this post if nothing else. Whatever you do, do not use a solvent to remove epoxy from your skin! The solvent breaks down the epoxy and makes it much easier to remove, but it also makes it much easier to penetrate through the skin and enter the body. This fact should be kept in mind for solvent-borne epoxies – these products already have solvents in them, which makes skin contact even more dangerous in this context.

4 /1311 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea, Queensland, Australia 4106 1800 355 344 info@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

2015 August Issue | 41

42 | Aussie Painters Network

Once sensitised to epoxies...

Ok, so you get that epoxy sensitisation isn’t a good thing and you know how it can be avoided. What happens if all that fails and you become sensitised; or you’re reading this and are already sensitised? If you are sensitised to epoxies then it generally goes one of two ways – • You might be lucky and only develop sensitivity to a particular raw material within the epoxy – something that isn’t found in every product. In this case you can find a suitable alternative that did the same job and continue working (as long as you worked clean).

• You might be unlucky and become sensitised to the epoxy resin, which is a much bigger problem because it could mean every product is off limits. This situation is the real tragedy of epoxy sensitisation because it can ultimately strip a contractor of their livelihood. Their body is telling them it can’t cope with the chemical exposure and unfortunately the only option at this point is to seek another profession.

Avoid epoxy sensitisation from the start!

As I said before, if you want to work in the epoxy industry over a long period then you need to develop the right habits from day one: work clean, protect your body, clean up without solvents and read Material Safety Data Sheets to understand what the potential dangers are. If you ignore any or all of these things, epoxy sensitisation could make your life misery and even spell the end of your career.

Jack Josephsen 0408 877 256

Developed by Jim Baker 2013

For $35.90

it’s money well spent!

‘My Costing Guide’ is a fully automated program where all you have to do is add or change the variables and the total price will appear in an instant. It is simple to use and can be personalised to your own business.

www.mytools4business.com/mycostingguide 2015 August Issue | 43

“The rise and fall of violent crime during the second half of the 20th century and first years of the 21st were caused, it proposed, not by changes in policing or imprisonment, single parenthood, recession, crack cocaine or the legalisation of abortion, but mainly by … lead.” George Monbiot,

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/ jan/07/violent-crime-lead-poisoning-british-export

A family photo of Freddie Gray from a court filing for a lawsuit in 2008 against a former landlord. Gray and his two sisters were found to have damaging lead levels in their blood.

(Family Photo from court filings)

Economists hypothesize that regulation of leaded gasoline and lead paint in the 1970s caused crime rates to drop in the U.S. about 20 years later.CPSC = Consumer Product Safety Commission. SOURCES: Rick Nevin, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics. Source: American Chemical Society http://cen.acs.org/articles/92/i5/Crimes-Lead.html

44 | Aussie Painters Network

Lead a Criminal Element Extraordinary findings are coming out of research into the global lead paint poisoning epidemic. Shocking is the only way to explain the correlations with the statistics of the Criminal Justice System in the United States, that seem to have no other explanation but that of lead paint.

We shouldn’t really be surprised that this potent neurotoxin which has been the ingredient of the ubiquitous petrol and paint we all used, has had such a profound impact; and yet until now we’ve largely missed the link!

Who was Freddie Gray?

Lead poisoning during infancy, even at very low levels, harms the brain’s development of the regulate behaviour and mood. It is associated with attention deficit disorder, impulsiveness, aggression and, even, psychopathy.

In Freddie Gray’s home state alone there could have been thousands more in the same situation.

Freddie Gray was, like many others over represented in the criminal justice system in the US, a young black man who who’d had repeated run-ins with the police, had always had trouble at school, and generally an inability to focus and achieve. Does this happen as a result of poverty, racism, gang culture?

April 19 of this year, Gray died as a result of a shocking spinal injury, after he had run from the police, for reasons unknown, so was arrested. He wasn’t restrained in the police vehicle and was seriously injured by the time they had reached the station. He died from his injuries a week later, sending his home town into chaos and rioting.

Freddie was just one example of an individual who found himself in the system because of a disadvantaged youth; though what disadvantaged him was poisoning.

Back in 2008, a lead-paint lawsuit was filed against those that owned Gray’s home, on behalf of him and his two sisters. In his poorly kept home there was paint flaking off the walls and windowsills in his bedroom and throughout the house, from his infancy. Freddie and his sisters were exposed to more than enough lead to ruin their learning ability and their lives’ potential.

Whilst the circumstances of his death are nothing short of a senseless tragedy, Freddie Gray’s story has highlighted a phenomenon that is beyond shocking.

As more and more statistics are investigated, study after study would seem to support the proposition that lead has been majorly responsible for great peaks in crime. Despite studies spanning various times and different circumstances, the pattern appeared to be the same: violent crime peaks around 20 years after lead pollution peaks.

If lead paint poisoning can be responsible for violent crime, then surely it must pose an extraordinary implications for the way that crime and punishment is administered?

The story sadly highlights more complexity in the links between socio economic and environmental problems.

Whilst lead paint use didn’t discriminate, exposure due to the rate at which is maintained and replaced when necessary, differs greatly just for starters.

It makes me want to delve further, to ask questions about our own housing commission homes, indigenous communities, and homeless shelters, for example.

Have they also been the origins of lives gone wrong, just like in the poorest parts of Baltimore where Freddie Gray grew up? In the midst of many other issues, could the neglect of an underlying problem of catastrophic proportions, be compounding difficulties for those already seriously disadvantaged?

For more on this, read Mother Jones extraordinary article, that directly claims causational links between crime and lead. America’s Real Criminal Element: Lead. http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/01/lead-crime-link-gasoline)

Caroline Miall caroline@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au

2015 August Issue | 45

The Industry

Idiots

46 | Aussie Painters Network

Important Contacts Aussie Painters Network www.aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au Ph. 0430 399 800 National Institute for Painting and Decorating www.painters.edu.au Ph. 1300 319 790 Australian Tax Office www.ato.gov.au Ph. 13 72 26 / Ph. 13 28 65 Award Rates www.fairwork.gov.au Ph. 13 13 94 Fair Work Building & Construction www.fwbc.gov.au Ph. 1800 003 338 Mates In Construction www.matesinconstruction.com.au

Ph. 1300 642 111

Beyondblue www.beyondblue.org.au

Ph. 1300 224 636

Workplace Health and Safety Contacts Comcare WorkSafe ACT Workplace Health and Safety QLD Victorian WorkCover Authority WorkCover NSW SafeWork SA WorkSafe WA NT WorkSafe WorkSafe Tasmania

www.comcare.gov.au www.worksafe.act.gov.au www.worksafe.qld.gov.au www.vwa.vic.gov.au www.workcover.nsw.gov.au www.safework.sa.gov.au www.commerce.wa.gov.au/WorkSafe/ www.worksafe.nt.gov.au www.worksafe.tas.gov.au

1300 366 979 02 6207 3000 1300 362 128 1800 136 089 13 10 50 1300 365 255 1300 307 877 1800 019 115 1300 366 322

www.actcancer.org www.cancercouncil.com.au www.cancercouncilnt.com.au www.cancerqld.org.au www.cancersa.org.au www.cancervic.org.au www.cancerwa.asn.au

(02) 6257 9999 (02) 9334 1900 (08) 8927 4888 (07) 3634 5100 (08) 8291 4111 (03) 9635 5000 (08) 9212 4333

Cancer Council Australia ACT NSW NT QLD SA VIC WA

2015 August Issue | 47

OUR MEMBERSHIP Standard Membership • Five postcode listings in our online directory • Work, Health and Safety Plan • Risk Assessment and Safe Work Method Statements • Incident Investigation Forms and Incident Investigation Form Register • Instant access to our pricing and estimating guides • Quotation guide to assist you when quoting • Personal service and phone advice • Web Listing for prospective customers to find you easily • Free targeted online marketing & advertising • Back-links to assist you in SEO rankings • Assistance with Debt Collection and Discounted Terms of Trade • Discounts on Courses • Painter Help section if you are looking for work or looking for painters to help