The Issue of Non-Compliant Imported Rebar Cages and Steel Reinforcing The issue of non-conforming building products, whether manufactured locally or imported, is an important and complex challenge of national significance. Non-conforming building products impact Australia’s welding, construction, manufacturing and retail sectors—just to name a few. Perhaps most concerning of all, these products can cause a raft of health and safety, economic, legal and social consequences. With over 140,000 tonnes of steel reinforcement supplied to the Australian market each year from unknown origins, non-conforming materials present a huge risk to the performance of reinforced concrete, which is used in construction on a large-scale, such as in bridges, dams, piers, high-rise buildings and stadiums. Industry experts believe that a program of education, awareness, training and certification is required. All welding should be undertaken by a JAS-ANZ accredited third party Processor in order to guarantee experienced operators, the use of conforming materials, and weld quality assurance. This due diligence can be relied upon in an unforeseen structural performance issue. Welding should also be carried out by a person qualified in the procedures required by AS/NZS 1554.3 Structural steel welding - Welding of reinforcing steel - Section 4.12.2.
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Australian Australian Welding Welding
