Joint teams from government agencies will be inspecting building sites across the Bairnsdale area from 11 to 15 February, under the Build Aware campaign.
Build Aware is designed to ensure site operators are complying with their legal obligations, to protect the environment, and ensure workplace safety and community benefit.
Teams from five key Victorian agencies that regulate the building sector – Consumer Affairs Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and WorkSafe Victoria – will visit residential, industrial and commercial building sites.
WorkSafe inspectors will be focusing on the risks of falling objects to both workers and the public during site visits at Bairnsdale. WorkSafe Construction Program Acting Director Kate Maheras said each year WorkSafe investigated serious injuries and countless near-misses involving falling objects at construction sites.
“We know that even a small tool or a bolt falling from a building site can cause life threatening injuries,” Ms Maheras said.
"It’s important that every builder assesses their site throughout the day to identify materials or objects that could fall in or outside of the site boundaries.
“Employers need to think through all aspects of a complex task, especially considering materials that are unsecured or that can be knocked or dropped from ledges.”
The use of non-compliant or hazardous materials, safety issues on site, unfair contract terms and delayed building works are some of the common issues that affect construction projects.
Building sites can also be sources of environmental problems, including contaminated stormwater, sediment runoff and uncontrolled litter. Ensuring that builders know their obligations will help to protect the environment and the public.
The VBA’s executive director of operations, Mark Rossiter said Build Aware is a valuable collaboration between the five agencies, appreciated by industry for its proactive approach to inspections and education.
‘’This is a great opportunity for the VBA and fellow agencies to get a clear message out to builders regarding the importance of compliance and safety on all building sites.’’
EPA Gippsland Manager Jessica Bandiera said EPA would focus on the management of construction and demolition waste, including asbestos, an area of environmental concern and a public health risk.
“Construction and demolition generates industrial waste, typically including concrete, timber, brick, asbestos-containing material, and soil that may be contaminated,” Ms Bandiera said.
“Disposing of construction and demolition waste properly means some of it can be recycled. But wrongly identified or illegally dumped waste pollutes the environment and poses a public health risk. EPA officers will be ensuring that sites are identifying and managing wastes appropriately.”
EPA officers will also focus on ensuring stormwater runoff is properly managed to avoid contamination of local waterways.
Inspectors from Consumer Affairs Victoria will be looking at domestic building contracts to ensure builders are adhering to important consumer protections.
“By law, owners are entitled to consumer guarantees that cannot be signed away," said Consumer Affairs Victoria Director of Regulatory Services, David Joyner. "These consumer guarantees should be reflected in the contract to ensure transparency and allow consumers to exercise their rights."
"Consumer Affairs Victoria's inspectors will also be checking contract insurance details and ensuring deposit amounts requested are within the appropriate legislative range."
The agencies run the Build Aware program three times each year in metropolitan and regional locations. Since early last year, multi-agency teams have conducted more than 460 inspections, with most building sites found to be compliant.
For more information, visit the agencies’ websites:
The next Build Aware event will be in the Ballarat area, in May 2019.