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Bridge on the River Derwent

By
Katrina Jende
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The new Bridgewater Bridge is a Tasmanian first. It’s the largest transport infrastructure project in the state’s history, and will significantly strengthen Tasmania’s National Highway.

Once complete, the $786 million bridge will span the Derwent River with around 22,000 vehicles expected to cross the 1km-long bridge each day.

The fixed structure bridge will provide 16.2 metre high clearance over the navigation channel, and feature four traffic lanes and a shared bicycle and pedestrian path.

With the Australian and Tasmanian Governments committed to having the new bridge open to traffic by the end of 2024 and completed in mid 2025, it’s a major project on an ambitious time line. But some of Tasmania’s leading construction and supply companies are drawing on their longstanding relationships and local know-how to help meet the challenge.

LaTrobe-based BridgePro Engineering is assisting construction contractor McConnell Dowell, and it’s a project that BridgePro founder and managing director Aaron Brimfield says serves up some interesting challenges.

“It’s the largest project of its kind ever in Tasmania, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us,” he says. “We’re working on a reasonably compressed timeline, and the bridge needs 90-metre-long piles which will be some of the longest in the world. The project also requires the construction of a temporary bridge to enable the movement of materials and equipment—such as large cranes and construction equipment—across the River Derwent, and BridgePro is hard at work helping to construct it.

“Twelve barges have been brought in to form the southern section of the bridge, which will be linked to a steel bridge that will sit on 72 piles,” Brimfield explains. “So just constructing the temporary bridge is a relatively large project in itself.”

But that’s only the beginning. The construction process for the main bridge began in 2022 with land reclamation on the southern side of the river, and the construction of a temporary working platform on the northern side. An onsite precast facility was built to produce the more than 1000 concrete bridge segments that will be required. Major earthworks were also required on the southern foreshore, and BridgePro is working on the form reinforcement for the bridge’s huge 42 piers.

“Each pier is 150 cubic metres, and they all require double reinforcing cages for extra strength because the bridge is so long,” says Brimfield. “We’re fabricating the cages, but they’re too large to be produced on a cage-making machine.”

So BridgePro is adding around 30 new local workers to its team.

“We’re proud to be doing a lot of the prefabrication work in our facility in LaTrobe that’s more than 200km north of the bridge site. So the project is really spreading economic benefits across Tasmania.”

Tasmanian born, bred and built BridgePro’s expanding team isn’t the only beneficiary of the project. It will support around 1000 direct and indirect jobs and create more than 250 new jobs. Tasmania-based suppliers, such as Rapid Supply and BuildTech Supplies, are also being engaged wherever possible to keep the project’s wider economic impact focused on Tasmanian businesses.

CSS member Rapid Supply is a proudly Tasmanian owned and operated specialised construction supply company. Jamie Kunta, civil & construction technical representative at Rapid Supply, says the company is supplying a broad range of products to the project, including fasteners, rigging, lifting, grouts, epoxies and personal protection equipment.

“We’ve had a long relationship with BridgePro and they have been a big support to us over many years,” he explains. “Due to that relationship, we’re able to work very closely with them and keep items they need in stock on the island, so they are available immediately. We’ve also had opportunities to supply McConnell Dowell with other materials for the project, which is part of the flow-on effect a project of this size has had for us and other Tasmanian businesses.”

BuildTech Supplies is another one of those businesses. It is also a proud Tasmanian company and a CSS member and has had a longstanding relationship with BridgePro.

“We’re supplying a range of product lines, supported by our technical knowledge to assist all the contractors on site. Furthermore, we have a representative onsite daily working through issues with engineers and making sure they get the right advice and products,” says Greg Ellingworth, Technical Sales Representative at BuildTech Supplies.

“This project is a very, very big deal for Build Tech, but it’s not just us. There are a number of Tasmanian companies on the ground helping with this project. It’s all about teamwork and using the relationships and trust we have with each other to add value and get results. We are 100 per cent invested in our clients. We know that if they succeed, we succeed, and the project succeeds.”

On Track

By
Katrina Jende
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0

The man they call ‘Frosty” laughs when asked if he will be the first member of the ‘700 Club’ … but it’s only because has only just joined the ‘600 Club’.

In late April, Mark Winterbottom joined the elite group of drivers who have had more than 600 starts in supercar racing. It’s an extraordinary feat that started back in 2003. His first race in Australia’s premier motorsport category was as a co-drive at the Sandown 500 endurance race. The following year he made his debut in the ‘main game’ as a full-time driver. It’s where he has been ever since.

“To be in sport so competitive and cutthroat for so long is a real achievement. To be competitive for so long is pretty cool actually.

“Craig Lowndes is on a 670-something and Garth Taylor is on 640-something so I have a few more milestones to chase compared to those tallies, but I think I’ll enjoy this one before I start chasing them too hard.

“Technically, yes, it is achievable – if I am still competitive. In this sport, age is just a number. Results are the facts. If I keep getting results, then I stay employed! I want to stay in the game, but the truth is the day you stop getting results you’re out. So my results will determine if I get to chase more milestones.”

Winterbottom says he sometimes struggles to believe it has been 20 years, because so many memories are still very clear. He remembers being so desperate to get into the sport, and then, when that box was ticked, realising he needed to learn how to stay in the game.

“Staying in is hard. There are so many factors, and it is forever changing so you need to be very versatile. Things change every year—tyres, cars, rivals, formats, teammates, engineers, personnel—so you learn to work smarter, rather than harder.

“You understand more what you need to do to keep your body fit and healthy. With the car, you understand what your strengths are and what you need to work on and what you need from the team. You probably do the same lap times as you did 20 years ago; you just achieve it differently.”

For 2023, the challenge has been understanding a completely new car.

Team 18 built two Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s to the new Gen 3 technical regulations, the DEWALT-backed #18 for Winterbottom, and an identical car (with rolling sponsorship) for his teammate, Scott Pye. The car has had mixed reviews from different drivers, but Winterbottom is a fan.

“I think it’s a great car to drive. The only thing that has been an issue, this early into its development, is that racing wise it’s a bit fragile. A small contact in the past would mean a minimal repair whereas a small contact now can mean a major repair. Previously we could do a quick patch-up; now if you have that contact, you might not finish the race.

“But it’s a teething issue—the same with every new model, with every change. I’m hoping once they sort that out, it’s going to be a great car. Everyone in the organisation is working together on sorting out the issues.”

He likes the look and the sound of the car, but he admits they are hard to handle and very physical to drive, which makes it hard to achieve a lap time. That doesn’t faze him.

“They are harder to drive because there’s less aerodynamics. They move around a lot more, don’t have as much grip, they’re a bit lighter and they have a lot more torque. They’re very punchy off the corner so they move around on the way in and throttle-slide on the way out.

“Basically, extracting the speed out of these is a lot tougher, which means it’s more about the driver’s talent and skills. A good car is still going to win but a car that’s not quite there could be dragged up further by a good driver than the previous car.

“Previously, if the car was perfect, you were fast; now if the car is not quite 100 per cent perfect, you can still extract a good lap time out of it.

“Sport is always about pushing your limits and we’ve seen guys crashing these cars who haven’t crashed a car in the last five years, trying to extract a good lap time out of it. It’s tough for the driver but it’s good for the sport and the fans.”

Winterbottom is also enjoying being reunited with DEWALT. The company’s name was on his car when he was racing with Tickford back in 2008, as a minor sponsor. Now it has returned with full naming rights, and he is delighted.

“In our game, you want to use brands that you can align with, that you have credibility with. Some of the fast-food brands have wanted to get involved but I’ve never been interested. I won’t feed it to my kids so I wouldn’t want to promote it. There’s nothing worse than a fake endorsement.”

He laughs when told he sounds ‘right on message’, and says it is no hardship because he is a longtime user. If his fans aren’t using DEWALT tools, he says, they should be!

“I like doing DIY stuff, so I have quite a few in the garage. I actually had them long before I got the signage on the car. I think people have their brands that they like to use, and DEWALT really has always been my brand of choice. The ones I use I have had for a long time, so that’s a very good sign.”

Learning by Design

By
Katrina Jende
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0

Rachael Turner left behind a music career to chase her dream in the building game. Even now, she says, she doesn’t always know what she’s doing.

By John Burfitt

There is a consistent theme that has guided licensed master builder Rachael Turner, winner of HIA’s 2022 Professional Business Woman of the Year, from the day she flipped her first property almost a decade ago until now.

Turner, the mastermind behind Front Porch Properties, admits, “When I started out, I really had no idea what I was doing, and I was learning on the go. To this day, as a business owner, I often still feel like I am figuring it out, but I just push through, use my intuition and that seems to have steered me pretty well.”

It’s a candid confession from the woman who left behind a successful career as a classical musician to pursue her dream of working in home design and construction. But as Turner also admits, this lack of know-how is what has mainly motivated her to achieve all she has done.

At last count, Turner, 39, had completed over 60 projects across Brisbane; some have been flips, others have been houses she has built from scratch, with a number more on this year’s schedule. She has also won over a dozen awards for doing so.

“I remember early on making this clear decision that no matter what it took, I was going to take one small actionable step every day, until I had my builder’s license which I finally achieved in 2017,” she says. “I had to work hard to get my license and to get my TAFE qualification, but it was all those small steps that got me there.”

It also took a team that she purposely surrounded herself with, knowing that the stronger the talent she had working with her, the more she would learn.

“When I recently won the businesswomen award, the first thing that went through my mind was I won because of my staff as they’re the ones that have really propelled and stabilised the business. It would be a mess if I was doing all this by myself.”

A talented musician and accomplished classical pianist from an early age, Turner entered the Queensland Conservatorium at age 17 and studied for her Bachelor of Music in piano. After graduating, she opened her own music school which she operated for 10 years.

While her music career was a success, she had another dream. “Ever since I was a little girl, I always wondered how houses come up out of the ground,” she recalls. “I had no background in construction, but I decided I would do whatever it takes to become a builder. I just knew this was for me.”

It was her environment in her hometown Brisbane, particularly the wealth of traditional Queenslander homes, that offered the initial inspiration for the work Turner wanted to explore.

With a love of American-inspired styles, particularly Hamptons, Cape Cod and Craftsman designs, Turner found those styles adapted gracefully to Queenslander homes. It proved to be a winning combination on the first house she completed as a renovation flip.

“That first one ended up in a magazine and after that, people started contacting me,” she says. “In Brisbane, we’ve also got the luxury of old Queenslanders to work with, and that is a beautiful starting point with their charming rooflines and wraparound verandahs. But it is having skilled and talented people to bring it to life that makes all the difference.

“What thrills me about renovating is the challenge, turning something ugly or worn out into something lovely.”

The success Turner found with those early projects also showed her the value of carving out a niche in the crowded renovation and construction market.

“I decided it was better to find a niche and become a specialist in this design aesthetic, and that is why people hire us because they know we’re good at it,” she says.

“The mistake I see with some other builders is they try to offer too much of everything without being specific. I think there’s real value in being known for doing one thing really well.”

With the upheavals in the building game in recent years, as Turner has watched some fellow builders go out of business, she says her vision for 2023 is to remain clearly in her niche but to diversify. As a result, Front Porch Properties recently started a door business, designing and manufacturing American country-style doors. She has also launched an online course about managing bathroom renovations.

“This is about broadening my options and looking for gaps in the market so that we’re not solely relying on construction work, because we all know it is a lot harder for builders to make money right now,” she says. “It’s about being smart with your business.”

And as for the greatest misconception about flipping property? “That you are guaranteed to make money every time. It was a lot easier five years ago, so these days, you have to know how to manage the project well.”

Even so, Turner admits she has never once regretted making the move into the building game. “If you’re working eight hours a day, then it should be spent doing something you really love. And that way, you never need to worry about being motivated because you’re naturally driven.”

Staying Power

By
Katrina Jende
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0

Cement Australia may be in the business of binding, but when comes to progress, it is determined to prove it is a construction services supplier that is anything but stuck.

By Tracey Porter

 There are few Australian businesses whose company history can be traced back nearly 150 years. There are fewer still who have structured their operations to all but guarantee they will still be around for another century and a half.

Cement Australia is one such anomaly.

Formed from a merger of Queensland Cement and Australian Cement Holdings—as well as an assortment of other acquisitions which have taken place along the way—the business boasts a rich history dating back to 1890.

From its humble beginnings using vertical kilns and horse-drawn carts, the company today has several milling and storage terminals as well as two fully integrated cement manufacturing facilities.

Employing hundreds of people in regional communities across Australia, it manufactures at plants everywhere from Gladstone in central Queensland to Railton in northern Tasmania. It is from these sites that Cement Australia produces the majority of its product, the line-up of which includes general-purpose cement and general blended cement including customised blends for special applications.

In addition, it also supplies concrete grade fly-ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag.

Cement Australia’s packaged products & marketing manager Marc Furlong has been in his current role for six months but has worked for Cement Australia for nearly two decades. Furlong says while cement is an ingredient in concrete, most people mistakenly believe they are the same thing.

As well as producing cement products for the building, construction, civil infrastructure and mining sectors, the company—a fifty-fifty joint venture owned by Holcim and Heidelberg Materials—also produces quicklime for the manufacturing, mining and agricultural sectors.

Furlong believes the business has been so well supported among its core clientele of market-leading building and engineering contractors, retail building suppliers and large Australian mines, because while Cement Australia’s production processes have changed over the years, the fundamentals of the business haven’t.

“At our core, we are a cement manufacturer. However, the cement manufacturing process has changed over the years and become much more efficient; the types of kilns and mills used today are almost unrecognisable from those used in the 1800s. The widespread use of pozzolanic materials such as fly-ash in the 1990s was another significant change in the industry and over the years these types of supplementary materials have become increasingly more important.”

Taking very seriously today’s corporate imperative to operate sustainably, Cement Australia has made a concerted effort in recent years to focus on eco-efficient production and on controlling the impacts of its activities on the environment.

Furlong says as the world’s most widely used construction material, concrete has a significant carbon footprint.

As the necessary binding ingredient for concrete, cement manufacturing is associated with inevitable CO2 emissions, due to the physical and chemical processes.

To get around this, while also doing its bit to contribute towards the cement and concrete industry’s ambition for net zero carbon concrete by 2050, Cement Australia has implemented an environmental management system that is externally certified.

Furlong says through its alternative fuels and raw materials management strategies, it has committed to replacing first-use materials, wherever practical.

In addition, it manages specific waste streams from the power generation and steel industries, taking these materials and turning them into supplementary cementitious materials for use in a broad range of applications such as producing high-performance and/or low-carbon concrete.

“We understand the need to ensure and maintain a safe, healthy and productive workplace for our people and a social license to operate—this is at the core of our sustainability strategy,” he says.

Another string to Cement Australia’s bow when it comes to its green credentials is the introduction of its Geocycle arm, which launched in 1999. This offshoot of the business provides waste management services to the generators and consolidators of waste and transforms that material into alternative fuels and raw materials that are used in the cement kilns. In 2001 alone, the company blended and converted more than 21,000kL of industrial waste that would have otherwise gone to landfill. In the same year, it produced 26,400kL of alternative fuel replacement, replacing at least 28,800 tonnes of coal and saving around 14,400 tonnes of CO2 from going into the atmosphere.

More recently Cement Australia has introduced a new line it calls GreenCem, which Furlong says is a suite of products that have been in development for several years.

Essentially a range of non-toxic additives that can be used in cement-based products to reduce Portland cement content, the range has been engineered by Cement Australia to enable very high levels (up to 80 per cent) of cement replacement with fly-ash and/or slag “without significantly compromising concrete performance”, he says.

Furlong believes both GreenCem and Geocycle will play a significant role in ensuring Cement Australia continues to produce sustainable, high-quality products now and in the future.

“We are looking at ways we can improve the sustainability of packaging. Some in our industry have in recent years moved to plastic packaging. We made a very conscious decision to retain paper sacks and in the coming years, we will continue to reduce non-degradable and non-recyclable packaging.

“We have recently announced a couple of initiatives that have the potential to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions at our Gladstone plant. We recently added our first fully electric truck to our fleet, the first of its type in Australia. In coming years that capability is likely to expand.

Continuing to improve our sustainability is a key focus in both the short and long term.”

Making a Difference

By
Katrina Jende
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0

Quality, not quantity, is the mantra of commercial builder Simbuilt, who specialise in prestige fit-outs and refurbishments in and around Melbourne.

By Lynne Teston

Creating a beautiful architecturally designed building in the challenging post-COVID era might cause many builders sleepless nights, but for the team at Simbuilt that’s what they love about their work.

Simbuilt founder and director Simon Buultjens says that he is often blown away by some of the projects the company works on.

“One of the focuses of Simbuilt is that we try and get projects that are unique,” he says. “They’re not your typical volume type projects; they’re a little more progressive in their design or a little bit more abstract. We get a lot of excitement out of doing projects that are that little bit different.”

Simbuilt has been around for about 10 years now and specialises in fit-outs, refurbishment and new builds, often working with heritage buildings. The company has a small, but tight, team of just 25 people. A commercial builder based in Melbourne, many of their projects are for universities, schools and healthcare providers.

“We specialise in a lot of university work, but we also do a lot of school projects for the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA), the state government and similar clients,” says Buultjens.

THE POST-COVID ERA

The last few years have been a difficult time for builders, especially those based in Victoria, and while the state might be leaving COVID behind now, the effects of the pandemic are still being felt. “In this market with material shortages and labour shortages, it can be really challenging at the moment,” says Buultjens. “However, trying to work as a team, bringing your suppliers and your subcontractors together, and delivering a great product is probably the greatest kick that we get out of a project and also having a happy client at the end of it. I’m blown away by some of the projects that we deliver.”

The labour shortages have particularly hit the heritage element of their work, he says. “Those trades have got their own issues. If you need people to install slate on slate roofs, for example, they used to come out from Europe quite regularly, but Europe’s got its own shortages. So, they’re staying home now.”

Naturally, working on high-profile public-facing projects brings pressure, he says, but that’s part of the fun.

“It is quite tricky—you’ve got to really consider the reputation of the client that you’re working for,” he says. “You’ve got to work in among students, teaching staff, or the public, which can be quite tricky to incorporate into the build program. Communication is vital.

Understanding what their expectations are and trying to meet them can be difficult.

“There’s so many complexities and layers in the construction industry. It’s interesting, and that’s probably why we love it.”

COLLABORATING WITH ARCHITECTS

Working on large public buildings means that the Simbuilt team usually works with architects as part of the project.

“We’re fortunate enough to get exposed to quite a raft of different architects,” says Buultjens. “And I think, again, that’s probably one of the benefits of doing the university work. The design is so exciting and leading edge. We’ve worked with some fantastic architects across a lot of projects.”

Working with architects is all about developing professional relationships that last well beyond each project.

“We look beyond that one project that we do with an architect, and hope that the job and the service that we provide leads into other work,” he says. “It’s not just about that particular project, it’s about trying to create a long-term relationship. It’s not all about the clients for us; it’s the whole stakeholder group.”

HOW AWARDS HELP

Simbuilt has won awards through the Master Builders Association in recent years, which has helped to raise their profile.

“We’ve been Master Builders members for quite a while—they offer absolutely amazing service in the construction industry,” explains Buultjens. Simbuilt has won a national Business Excellence Award for small scale builders three years in a row.

“I think we were really pleased because we felt we had a great offering, particularly given the size of our company. Off the back of that we got some really great exposure, not just through Master Builders, but the industry generally.

“Our clients love it, and our subcontractors get a sense of confidence that they’re working with a builder that’s reputable and has really good systems and processes. In this market, that’s really important.”

However, when it all comes down to it, success for Buultjens and his team is more about sharing the same values, something he believes gives the company longevity in the industry.

“As a business it’s important to have partners that align with our values, whether it’s our clients or our supplier base. I think that’s really key for what we are about,” he says.

 

Dried and Tested

By
Katrina Jende
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0

When it comes to waterproofing, it’s essential to use the correct solution with the right products and a compliant design.

By Frank Leggett

 There’s no one solution for waterproofing as each job has its own preparation, application and specific product. Whether it’s a job that’s below ground, above ground, internal or external with negative or positive pressure, it’s important to use the correct technique and technology for the appropriate situation.

“The old adage, fail to prepare, prepare to fail is absolutely spot on,” says Colin Picton, product segment specialist for Waterproofing & Sealants at Fosroc. Delivering construction solutions for building and infrastructure projects across the globe, Fosroc offers a huge range of waterproofing solutions from sheet systems to liquid applied membranes. “Preparation and application are crucial. Our liquid systems are seamless, conformable, flexible, fast and relatively simple to apply. But they still need the correct prep and application.”

DRAINAGE

Drainage is an important element of any waterproofing design. While a successful outcome depends on the structural design, the substrate and how many layers of waterproofing is being applied, drainage is vital to the success of a system.

“If you can move the water away, you’re taking the pressure off the system and allowing the waterproofing to do its job,” says Picton.

It is essential that waterproofing is done right the first time. If the system fails, coming back and correcting the issue is costly and difficult.

“It’s well known that 80 per cent of maintenance costs on major projects is spent on water ingress,” says Picton. “It’s an inherent risk and compliance in terms of Australian standards is taken very seriously.”

EXTERNAL ABOVE GROUND

Balcony and external living spaces are classified as external above ground areas and require a particular type of waterproofing. This can be membrane style material and it’s important to ensure it has the correct properties such as elongation and moisture vapour transmission rates.

“Waterproofing these types of structures is covered by AS4654,” says Picton. “Part one covers materials and part two covers the design of the structure and the application. It lists the correct preparation, where waterproofing should start and stop, how far up an up-stand or parapet it should go, and how many coats are required, along with other key factors.”

Successful waterproofing largely depends on the quality of the materials. Fosroc materials are certified by the CSIRO and BRANZ.

“In the past, other suppliers have claimed their material complied with code AS4654 but that’s based on their own internal testing,” says Picton. “If they don’t have official certification, compliance will be an issue. Waterproofing is such a critical element, it’s imperative that compliance certificates are made available.”

PROJECTS

Waterproofing on large projects involves dealing with a wide range of complex and unique challenges. Tunnels, and particularly tunnels that traverse underneath Sydney harbour, need waterproofing of an extremely high quality.

“The variances can be large depending on the performance requirements of the specification,” says Matt Sipek, market manager of Waterproofing & Roofing at Sika Australia. Sika is a chemicals company specialising in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting. They are involved with many large construction and development projects.

“Many tunnel projects are government-funded and a warranty is typically for 25 years, but we have to prove durability of 125 years. When you’re waterproofing a tunnel, you have to get it right the first time.”

When building the harbour tunnels, the engineering challenge of going through the hard rock is considerable.

The tunnel then has the whole weight of the water contained in Sydney Harbour pushing down. Water always takes the path of least resistance so if it can find a way in, it will.

HARBOUR TUNNELS

Sika was used to waterproof the first Sydney Harbour tunnel which opened to traffic more than 30 years ago. It’s also involved with the new Sydney Metro train services through the CBD, as well as the Metro West.

“We’ve recently completed the main station box at Sydney Central Metro at Platform 16,” says Sipek. “This was probably the toughest waterproofing project in the country.”

The project was a top-down build. Normally, a large hole is dug, the station box is built in the hole and then the area is back filled. For this build, the roof was created first then excavation went down about 30 metres through Sydney sandstone. Sandstone is very porous, allowing water to run everywhere.

Waterproofing in this situation is extremely challenging. When creating a waterproofing system in a tunnel, it’s always a sheet membrane, generally polyvinyl fluoride or thermoplastic polyurethane. These sheets are hot welded together with specialised equipment. “The fantastic thing about these membranes is that when they’re hot welded, the weld becomes stronger than the parent material,” says Sipek.

In a tunnel or station box, there is often a metre of concrete in front of the waterproofing membrane. Additionally, there’s always a primary, secondary and tertiary back-up.

“We would typically recommend a combination of swellable water stops and an injection hose,” says Sipek. “The injection hoses are placed at crucial joints and gives us the ability to inject an acrylic resin after the concrete structure has been poured. We’ve found this system works very well.”

No matter what the size of the project, the secret to successful waterproofing is preparation, application with the correct product, and ensuring the appropriate codes are met.

Dangerous Business

By
Katrina Jende
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0

There are various ways to reduce the risks of common workplace accidents. Here are seven ways to mitigate these potential hazards.

By Kerryn Ramsey

While there’s a risk that workplace hazards may become dangerous, costly and even life-threatening, there are various ways to mitigate the risks.

“Just stop and think about what you’re about to do,” says Naomi Kemp, chair of the Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS). “You need to ask yourself, ‘How do I prevent it from going wrong?’ and act accordingly.”

The AIHS is dedicated to enabling safe, healthy people in productive workplaces and communities. It advocates for contemporary government policy as well as internal company policy.

Here are the seven most common workplace hazards and what you can do to reduce the risk of serious accident.

 

  1. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

Hazardous chemicals can have an immediate effect, such as burns or poisoning, or a long-term impact on health such as cancer and damage to lungs. They can also be corrosive, flammable and cause great environmental damage if spilled.

“The best way to mitigate risk is to fully understand the PPE and emergency requirements of the specific chemical,” says Kemp. “You must know how to protect yourself whether it’s a liquid, gas or dust. Each chemical has a different set of protocols.” All the relevant information is contained in the safety data sheet (SDS), included when the chemical is purchased.

  1. FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT SAFETY PROCEDURES

Safety procedures are reasonable instructions put in place to protect workers and others. Of course, for these procedures to work efficiently, they need to be implemented. Whether it’s wearing PPE, using guarding or obeying exclusion zones, the responsibility is on the worker to follow the instructions.

Signage is also a procedural control for specific hazards and jobs. It can be information about operating a forklift in an area or wearing specific PPE.

“The responsibility is on the worker to comply with instructions given, and failure to do so is a legal risk,” says Kemp. “Simply put, most safety procedures enable legal compliance.”

  1. FORKLIFT RELATED HAZARDS

Operating a forklift or any type of moving vehicle such as a crane or excavator, is referred to as mobile plant operation. You need to be licensed to operate the equipment and a high-risk licence is often required. This is heavy equipment that can do major damage if operated incorrectly.

“In construction, manufacturing, agriculture and warehousing, the highest number of fatalities and serious injuries relate to people and pedestrians interacting with a mobile plant,” says Kemp. “While licensing to operate these machines is essential, competency also needs to be taken into account.”

Competency comes from experience and includes a knowledge of the plant’s capability and limitations.

  1. ELECTRICAL CORDS

Despite the increased use of batterypowered tools, electrical cords and extension leads are an integral part of worksites. The danger here is that anything related to electricity can be potentially fatal.

“Each cord should have a visual inspection before use to ensure it’s not frayed or damaged,” says Kemp. “It should also be plugged into a residual current device (RCD). If something does happen, the RCD isolates the power and limits the impact of the shock.”

Placement of the cords needs to be considered so they are not a tripping hazard and are well away from any water.

  1. CLUTTER

Unnecessary clutter can block exits—a tragedy waiting to happen in an emergency—as well as obstruct sight lines and create tripping hazards. It can have a negative impact on efficiency, production and safety.

“Clutter needs to be dealt with proactively,” says Kemp. “It’s a matter of cleaning up as you go. A lot of this material is combustible which adds a whole other level of danger. Segregating waste and moving it from the site in a timely manner is the best and most efficient way to reduce risk.”

  1. WORKING AT HEIGHTS

Working at heights is an inherently dangerous activity and all safety procedures must be followed. “Harnesses only work if you fall,” says Kemp. “When working at heights, you want a solution that will prevent you from falling.”

The solution might be a scissor lift in which you stay inside. If you’re working on a roof, anchor points and lanyards should limit you from getting closer than two metres to the building edge.

“If a job requires work at the edge of the building, a higher order of control is required with edge protection and a harness capable of effective fall arrest,” says Kemp.

  1. HAZARDOUS MANUAL TASKS

Hazardous manual tasks are jobs that require lifting or moving heavy items or putting your body in uncomfortable positions. The way you lift, the repetition, and the size and weight of the object should be carefully considered. While this type of work can have an immediate impact, there’s also a long-term effect.

You probably won’t notice the stress on your body if under the age of 25 but aches, pains and complications can arise by the time you’re 40.

“To save yourself from future injury, reduce the forces on your body and try to avoid awkward or sustained postures,” says Kemp. “The rate of musculoskeletal disorders in the building and construction industry is very high.”

Use the tools at your disposal—forklifts, cranes, trolleys—to move heavier items around. Ultimately, this will be more efficient and save you from long-term injury.

 

Canteen Cares

By
Katrina Jende
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Canteen is the only organisation in Australia that supports young people aged 12-25 who are impacted by cancer—be it their own cancer diagnosis, that of a family member or the death of a loved one.

Canteen supports young people while they cope with the physical, psychological and social challenges that cancer brings. Our 24/7 free and tailored support services include:

  • Counselling services (online, phone and face-to-face)
  • Programs and services
  • Education and leadership programs
  • Hospital-based treatment
  • Information and resources

Every year in Australia, more than 23,000 young people are impacted by cancer.

Canteen exists to provide practical and emotional support to help young people:

  • explore their feelings about cancer
  • connect with other young people and
  • if they’ve been diagnosed themselves, we provide youth-specific treatment teams

Because of your kindness and generosity, Canteen can continue supporting young people and their families impacted by cancer. Every cent that we raise helps! We felt the need to share Nate’s story to help our network understand the impact of our partners additional funding.

Nate’s story

Nate was diagnosed with a brain tumour at age 10 with a Grade II astrocytoma, in simpler terms, a brain tumour.

It was a shock for him and his family. Nate desperately wanted life to feel normal, but he was in treatment for years, and he felt too sick and exhausted to keep up with school or sport. He had seven surgeries in a month, followed by two years of chemotherapy. Ten years after his diagnosis, he is still undergoing treatment and living with the impact of his cancer.

“I was in and out of hospital. I felt my mental health deteriorate and I was a very closed off person”.

 Canteen support services helped Nate find joy and positivity when he was at his lowest point.

Thankfully he found Canteen and the peer support programs we offer. He first attended a cancer survivor support group.

“We spent an hour or two talking and sharing our cancer experiences, which brought me hope for the future ahead,” he says. “Canteen helped reignite my confidence and I finally feel like myself again.”

Power of peers

Our programs are created with and for young people living with cancer, so they can talk to others with a similar experience and develop strategies to cope. Recreation days give them an escape from cancer. Canteen programs offer vital opportunities for young people to share their experiences.

Social events help young people make friends and support each other.

“Canteen gave me the courage to live my life just like anyone else my age. “

Our life-changing services support the mental health of young people like Nate, so they have the strength to get through their diagnosis and treatment.

If you think that Canteen’s services would help you or someone you know, visit canteen.org.au for information.

ICCONS – Serious Connections

By
Katrina Jende
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With established operations in Australia (seven branches), New Zealand, and Thailand, together with a development base in Europe, ICCONS is thriving in a post COVID world that is perpetually changing. ICCONS has recently completed development of a new head office facility which will house its new R&D, quality control and testing division.

Within this new building a tool repair centre has been established to service and repair ICCONS equipment, focusing on quick and efficient turn around times for all its customers.

The key driver of ICCONS business today is understanding what the construction industry needs and complying with the latest Australian standards. It all starts with product development where ICCONS enjoys strong relationships with its global manufacturing partners throughout the world, developing products that offer solutions and addresses the latest design and construction challenges facing the industry. Education is key and that’s what ICCONS prides itself on, the fact that they have a highly technical sales and engineering team to drive these key messages back to the end user, a SERVICE which ICCONS people pride themselves on, especially in this day and age, where the market is evolving consistently.

Areas of focus but not limited to are:

  • Seismic anchoring solutions
  • 100-year design life fastening systems
  • Fire rated fastening design.
  • Cracked concrete performance.
  • AS5216:2021 design software

Product solutions is only part of the ICCONS philosophy. The ICCONS SERVICE model also includes training support from a dedicated head office training facility, on site load testing, with the newly landed PT60 digital load tester which connects directly to the ICCONS app via Bluetooth, to deliver a fast and accurate test which can be instantly emailed to engineers once the test is complete, a world first, again by ICCONS.

The ICCONS engineering team is experienced and highly skilled in solving fastening design problems. Sharing this fastening knowledge with designers, contractors and end users is what they do. Conducting presentations and supporting the sales team on site, engineering support is key to the ICCONS experience, ensuring you get the best solution.

As a proud supporting member of AEFAC (Australian Engineered Fasteners and Anchors Council) ICCONS has been part of the driving force helping create standards and improving safety in the construction industry.

ICCONS is continuing its journey to be the best sales, technical and marketing company in the Australasian connections and anchoring space. To do this in the current market, ICCONS is constantly adapting to the demands of users, dealers, and specifiers. For that very reason ICCONS have recently launched their Anchor Armour program which has been designed to further assist users and dealers, ensuring they choose the right product for the right application.

The first range of products launched under the Anchor Armour platform is screw bolts, again a world first with the broadest range in the world promoted via the Ultimate, Premium and Standard performance categories, or UPS. Users now have the ability to choose the exact part for their application and at the same time be rewarded by an industry first end user redemption program for simply purchasing ICCONS gear!

Phil Rose (Managing Director) states “ICCONS searches the construction space for innovation through creativity and speed to market, providing sustainable growth in the form of new techniques and ideas that can only be fuelled with a dynamic product roadmap that delivers innovation and not mimicry”.

Watch this space with ICCONS soon to be released and highly anticipated second chapter of the Anchor Armour program. 

For further information head to www.icccons.com.au.

Australian Manufacturing Week 2023

By
Katrina Jende
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0

Australian Manufacturing Week 9-12th May 2023 

Saint-Gobain Abrasives offers effective, accurate, and user friendly solutions for cutting, grinding, reshaping, and refinishing a wide range of materials like metal, stainless steel, wood, glass, concrete, ceramics, composite and much more. The company provides products that are not only effective and efficient, but also environmentally responsible and sustainable by investing in material sciences and technologies, co-developing products with innovation in mind.

The company supplies a comprehensive portfolio of abrasive solutions to meet the demands of various industries MRO, Automotive, Floor Sanding, Aerospace, Foundries…

To ensure that customers make the right choice, Saint-Gobain is committed to maintaining high standards for safety, comfort, and efficiency.

Australian Manufacturing Week is an event that brings together Australian manufacturers and industry leaders to discuss current trends, technologies, and challenges in the manufacturing sector. The event provides a platform for manufacturers to display their products and services, network with other professionals, and learn about the latest advancements in manufacturing technology. In 2014, Flexovit made a commitment to the Australian Made campaign and has been working to promote and support local manufacturing and the export of Australian-made products. At the event, Saint-Gobain will showcase Flexovit & Norton both world-leading abrasive solutions, designed to meet the needs of its end users. Also see Saint-Gobain’s new brands Tek Bond (Adhesives & Sealants) along with Farecla’ s (Automotive) re-surfacing range.

At this year’s Australian Manufacturing Week, Saint-Gobain will focus on the importance of supporting the Australian Made cutting and grinding wheels.

Made in Victoria since 1976, these wheels are essential for cutting, shaping, and grinding materials and are made to the highest quality standards, ensuring durability and reliability. Additionally, the Flexovit Centre of Excellence located in Campbellfield, Victoria, ensures that all products are tested and meet local and international safety standards.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with the Saint-Gobain team of experts who can provide technical support and solutions. Whether you have a specific application in mind or are seeking to improve your overall manufacturing process, the team will be there to assist you.

If you are looking for powerful, precise, and user-friendly abrasive solutions for your manufacturing needs, be sure to visit Saint-Gobain at the Australian Manufacturing Week from May 9th to 12th at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Stand MP640, in the Australian Manufacturers Pavilion.

 

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