Prevention over cure as regulators' regional roadshow hits Shepparton

The week-long visit, from 27 to 31 May, will see inspectors from the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), Energy Safe Victoria, WorkSafe and Environment Protection Authority (EPA) attend worksites across the region and provide information about laws and regulations that protect the community, the practitioner and the environment.

As well as undertaking joint inspections, the regulators will host an industry trade breakfast to speak to the local tradies and answer questions about key issues.

The group will also visit a local TAFE to speak to apprentices and explain the importance of having a solid grounding in compliance pathways as they make their way in the industry.

Throughout the week, the VBA will do inspections focused on bushfire attack levels (BAL), fire ratings, waterproofing standards for building and roofing and gasfitting compliance in plumbing.

Energy Safe will be ensuring workers comply with gas, solar power, and electricity safety laws. A key focus will be responsibilities around overhead powerlines and underground cables.

WorkSafe’s activities will centre around mobile plant and elevated work platforms, for both operators and workers on the ground.

EPA will pay particular attention to the importance of the General Environmental Duty (GED), noise obligations and environmental laws as they apply to the construction and demolition industry.

Quotes attributable to VBA Commissioner & CEO Anna Cronin

“The VBA regulates Victoria’s building and plumbing industries, overseeing safety while promoting quality and sustainability, so consumers can have confidence in their homes and the buildings they use.”

“Our Shepparton event will focus on known harms to consumers, with particular attention on bushfire assessment levels and fire ratings.”

Quotes attributable to Energy Safe Victoria CEO Leanne Hughson

“Any form of power can be dangerous or even deadly if safety requirements are not followed.”

“We’ll be ensuring workers are safeguarding themselves, their colleagues and the community, especially around live electrical assets.”

Quotes attributable to WorkSafe Director of Construction and Earth Resources Matt Wielgosz

“Safety should always be the priority when using mobile plant, including EWPs. This equipment has unique risks when moving around a worksite and the consequences when things go wrong can be serious and often tragic.”

“We’ll be visiting worksites to highlight the common safety issues around mobile plant, while also asking employers to check their systems of work and ensure there are risk control measures such as safety observers and secondary guarding in place to keep everyone on site safe.”

Quotes attributable to EPA Regional Manager North East Region – Ben Kneebone

“EPA is looking for typical building site pollution that can cause offsite impacts like contaminated stormwater, sediment, dust, packaging waste, and newcomers like polystyrene scraps from the wafflepods used when laying concrete. We also want to make sure workers on construction sites are aware of their obligations for example prohibited noise types and times.”