This guidebook has been produced by WorkSafe Victoria and Energy Safe Victoria and the Unions OH&S Unit to provide practical guidance on the principles and requirements for safely undertaking work that involves penetrating or excavating the ground where underground services, such as electricity and telecommunications distribution cables, gas and water pipelines may exist.  Website link: Guide to undertaking work near underground services | WorkSafe Victoria You can also see it on the Plumbing page, under No Go Zone: Plumbing | WorkSafe Victoria 

From January 1st 2022, the Victorian Government’s Building Equality Policy requires companies involved in the state’s most valuable construction projects to meet targets for women’s participation on site.These targets seek to disrupt gender stereotypes in the country’s most male dominated industry.The construction industry is an attractive and viable career option – and these targets will ensure women are proactively included and stay in the industry, with strong career pathways.Greater diversity makes all workplaces stronger – and greater representation of women in construction will benefit everyone in the industry.

Members can now download the latest edition of the journal here

The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) have been amended to provide greater protection to Victorian employees working with respirable crystalline silica.  The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Regulations 2021 (the Regulations) will replace the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Crystalline Silica) Interim Regulations 2021.

Wage rates and site allowances from the 1st March 2022 are now available to read from the Members section of the web site.

If you are still employed but unable to work as a result of COVID-19, you may be eligible to access some of your Incolink funds by way of the Incolink COVID-19 Payment.Eligible worker members receive an Incolink COVID-19 payment of $2,000 or the balance of your account (whichever amount is lower) if you must self-isolate or if you are stood down. You can re-apply for this every 28-days if you continue to be eligible and funds remain in your account.For more information, read the link here.

In the last ten years ten workers have lost their lives, and numerous others have been left with life altering injuries, from incidents involving the use of mobile elevating work platforms (EWPs), in Victoria. Many more, across the nation, have also been seriously or fatally injured from the use of EWPs.