Cbus is pleased to advise that their front counters re-opened yesterday in all states, outside of Victoria. For members in Victoria, Cbus is doing everything they can to assist members throughout the Stage 4 restrictions, there is a link to their fact sheet below for more information on accessing resources throughout this time. 
Read the fact sheet here.

The theme for 2020 is ‘Asbestos lurks in more places than you’d think’ and will be supplemented with the sub-theme ‘before you start, be aware’. 

The worker was performing metal roof installation works on a double storey house under construction when he has  slipped, then slid down the metal roof sheeting off the roof, through the guard rails that were on the perimeter scaffold, and fell approximately 6 metres to the ground.

WorkSafe has issued an alert about the risk of installing cables in older domestic properties where the electrical supply has not been de-energised and/or the integrity of existing electrical cable is not known. 

WorkCover Claim Forms are now able to be filled out and submitted in a digital format.

The PPTEU has secured Private Plumbing Insurance for the year 2020/2021. This year we are pleased to offer this policy to our members free of charge.  To be eligible for this insurance you must be a full and financial member of the PPTEU for the full term of the policy. In addition you must be licensed/registered with the Victorian Building Authority.   

All members are advised the Melbourne Branch and Geelong Branch general meetings are cancelled until further notice due to the restrictions imposed on mass gatherings concerning the coronavirus outbreak.

To ensure affected apprentices aren’t unfairly prevented from gaining registration, the VBA has introduced a 6-month provisional plumbing registration. Plumbing apprentices are eligible for this provisional registration if they have completed their apprenticeship and the Certificate III in Plumbing and are unable to undertake the Journeyman exam due to its postponement.

A coalition of Industry Associations and Trade Unions have joined together to develop guidelines for managing the risks associated with COVID-19 on Western Australian construction sites. The guidelines will be regularly updated and made widely available within the Building and Construction Industry.