8 January / COVID-19

Construction Remains Essential Service in Greater Brisbane Lockdown

The Queensland Government has announced a 3 day lockdown period for the Greater Brisbane region. The lockdown will be in place from 6pm tonight through to 6pm Monday, 11 January 2021.

The restrictions imposed by the lockdown are similar to those that were in place in March 2020, except now with the addition of mandatory masks.

Hutchies has confirmed that the construction industry is still considered an essential service. Sites and offices will remain open throughout the lockdown period.

However, it is vital that sites and offices are fully implementing the necessary social distancing, hygiene and cleaning measures (detailed below).

Team Leaders will work with their people to ensure they are home in time for the commencement of the lockdown and encouraging working from home arrangements where practical on Monday, 11 January 2021. Take your laptop home with you to be safe.

If you live in Greater Brisbane and travel to a site or office outside of the region, you must still wear a mask and observe the same measures when at that location.

When travelling into Greater Brisbane to a site or office (regardless of where you live), if returning home you must follow the same lockdown rules when you are home. Only leave for the essential reasons and wear a mask when outside.

Face masks are mandatory outside of your home (including at work) as of 6pm tonight (Friday) when leaving home (unless a medical condition prevents you from wearing it). Children under 12 are exempt.

Please ensure you read and follow all directions from the Queensland Government. Also continue to implement and follow all of Hutchies’ COVID-19 measures across our sites and offices.

Hutchies will provide any other relevant updates to you via email or text message if necessary regarding the situation.

​Summary of Directions

Greater Brisbane will go into lockdown for three days, while contact tracers work to ensure the UK strain of COVID-19 is not circulating in the community.

From 6pm tonight, Friday 8 January, until 6pm Monday 11 January people in the local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan will be required to stay at home except for the following reasons:

> Work, or volunteering, or study if it is not reasonably practicable to work or learn remotely (construction is considered ‘essential’)

> Shopping for essentials, food and necessary supplies

> Medical or healthcare needs, including compassionate requirements

> Exercise with no more than one other person, unless all from the same household

> Providing care or assistance to an immediate family member

> Child custody arrangements

> Legal obligations

> Visit for end of life

> Attend funeral or wedding in line with restrictions

> Masks will also need to be worn everywhere in those local government areas except if people are at home

> Cafes, pubs and restaurants will be open only for takeaway and delivery services

> Funerals will be restricted to 20 people and weddings to 10, including the celebrant and two witnesses.

> All essential businesses remain open (including construction). If you need to leave Greater Brisbane for an essential purpose, such as to work, to return home or to access healthcare, you should limit your movements for those three days wherever you go.

Get tested

If you have any symptoms at all, get tested immediately and quarantine at home until you receive a negative result.

List of restrictions

The full list of restrictions include:

> No more than two visitors to the household per day (in addition to anyone else currently staying in the household), excluding care workers or volunteers

> All businesses that can remain open must adhere to one person per 4 square metres

> Restaurants and cafes to provide takeaway and delivery services only

> Cinemas, entertainment and recreation venues, gyms etc to close

> Places of worship to close

> Weddings involve a maximum of 10 people, including the celebrant and witnesses

> Funerals involve a maximum of 20 people

> Mandatory mask wearing anywhere outside of your home > No visitors to aged care facilities, hospitals, disability accommodation services or correctional facilities.

Advice

As outbreaks continue to occur, Hutchies is tracking all state and territory updates across Australia daily. All relevant information is being provided to teams in affected areas, and updated on Hutchies’ Toolbox.

If you are unsure about any current restrictions or measures in place (including border controls), or need to know what is relevant to you or Hutchies’ broader workforce, feel free to contact us via coronavirus@hutchies.com.au. 

Ask a question

Preventative Measures

Good Hygiene

Wash your hands often for 20 secs & use hand sanitiser in between

Coughs & Sneezes

Cover a cough or sneeze, wash your hands & dispose of any tissues safely

Don't Touch!

No physical contact (including handshakes) & avoid touching your eyes, nose & mouth

Social Distance

Maintain 1.5 metres distance from people where practicable – if you start to feel unwell, go home & get tested

Regular Cleaning

Clean work areas, common facilities (kitchens, bathrooms etc) & frequent touch points often

Symptoms

Stay home & get tested if you have the symptoms (even if you think it’s ‘just a cold’)

Follow Directions

Display, read and follow all of Hutchies’ posters and signage around sites and offices

Reconsider Travel

Interstate travel must be undertaken with caution – stay alert to government changes

Face Masks

In high risk situations or when you cannot social distance, wear a face mask

Stay Informed

Monitor Hutchies’ Toolbox for the latest information and advice

Symptoms

Know the symptoms and be on alert. If you experience any of the following symptoms, don’t come to work. 

Notify your Team Leader and contact your nearest medical centre / hospital to get tested. 


Fever

Cough

Shortness of Breath

Sore Throat


If you need advice, call Australia’s COVID hotline 1800 020 080 (24 x 7)

Other Recent Activities

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16 February / COVID-19
[UPDATED] Victorian COVID-19 Management Plan & Documentation (Version 9)

Dear All,

Today the updated COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Revision 10 was released.

I have made the appropriate changes to the Victorian COVID-19 Management Plans and have attached it to this email along with the following:

  • Updated Appendix 01 – Self Assessment Flow Chart
  • COVID-19 Guidelines for the Building and Construction Industry Revision 10
  • Explanatory note of changes

*Changes have also been made to the sign in devices to include the updated daily COVID Declaration.

Please ensure that you print our updated COVID-19 Management Plan and have all team members on site sign and acknowledge as we have done with all previous 8 versions. I also ask that you add the amendments as a subject in pre-starts and or toolboxes on your next working day.

Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or if I can be of assistance to you.

Regards,

Candece Frazzica-Kara
HSE Manager (VIC)

Mobile 0411 022 839
Email Candece.Frazzica-Kara@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au 

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10 February / COVID-19
VIC Contact Tracing Alert

Latest info & COVID-19 case locations in VIC

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies.

Updated: 10 February 2021

Please take the time to review the latest location list below and if you have been at one of the venues at the time identified, inform your Team Leader and make arrangements to be tested.

Check the VIC Government website daily for updated exposure sites.

Anyone who has visited these Tier 1 exposure
sites during these times must immediately isolate, get a coronavirus (COVID-19)
test, and remain isolated for 14 days.

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10 February / COVID-19
Travel for Work

Updated Guidance for Hutchies’ People

With interstate border restrictions continuing to vary as coronavirus outbreaks occur in various part of the country, Hutchies has updated its advice for anyone intending to travel during 2021. This approach is to ensure Hutchies’ people and workplaces are kept as safe as possible.

In the first instance, Hutchies’ people should always follow any State or Territory Directions in place at the time. A summary of current status and useful links can be found on Hutchies’ Toolbox. 

When borders are open and travel is unrestricted, please carefully consider the following prior to making any bookings:

  • Is the travel absolutely essential?  
  • Can the reason for travel instead be facilitated via video conference?
  • Do I need to be physically present for works to progress?
  • Can the outcome be achieved in any other way? 

Work-related travel must be minimised to the greatest extent possible for the foreseeable future. This is especially important given ongoing changes to border restrictions and the risk of further outbreaks – particularly with the highly-contagious new strains of COVID-19.

All travel bookings continue to be monitored. There may be instances where more information is requested about reasons for travel. You may also be asked to get tested after travelling depending on the status of outbreaks.

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8 February / Public Holiday
Royal Hobart Regatta

Monday 8 February 2021 (TAS only)

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4 February / COVID-19
New Victorian Restrictions

Late last night Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews held a press conference as a result of a new potential community transmission case.

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies. 

New restrictions from 11.59pm Wednesday (last night):

  • Reinstate the New Years Eve / Black Rock settings
  • Private gatherings have been limited to 15 people
  • Masks are mandatory in indoor settings
  • The plan to bring back 75% of workers to offices is now paused

Other notes about the case:

  • Worker working in the Australian Open Quarantine Program
  • Now in health hotel and household contacts have been isolated
  • Lasted worked 29 January at the Grand Hyatt, was tested recently with negative results, but developed symptoms
  • 500 Australian Open players and staff have been classed as casual contacts of the worker
  • Still investigating the source of infection, but due to the new strain, being extra precautious
  • New list of exposure sites below – anyone who has been at an exposure site during the time frame, must get tested and isolate for 14 days

Exposure Sites

Anyone who has been at an exposure site listed during the time frame, must get tested and isolate for 14 days:

  • Club Noble in Noble Park from 2:36pm — 3:30pm on January 30
  • Aces Sporting Club (Driving Range) in Keysborough from 10:00pm — 11:15pm on January 30
  • Northpoint Café in Brighton from 8:10am — 9:30am on January 31
  • Kmart in Keysborough from 4:00pm — 5:00pm on January 31
  • Kmart in Brandon Park from 4:35pm — 5:10pm on January 31
  • Coles in Springvale from 5:00pm — 6:00pm on January 31
  • Bunnings in Springvale from 11:30am — 12:15pm on February 1
  • Golf Academy in Heatherton from 5:19pm — 6:30pm on February 1
  • Lululemon, DFO in Moorabbin from 5:00pm — 5:45pm on January 29
  • Woolworths in Springvale from 6.30pm — 7.30pm on January 29
  • Nakama Workshop in Clayton South from 11:15am — 12:00pm on February 1
  • Sharetea in Springvale from 6:45pm — 7:30pm on February 1
  • Kebab Kingz in West Melbourne from 11:24pm — 00:15am on February 1
  • Exford Hotel in Melbourne from 11:00pm — 11:35pm on February 1
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29 January / Quality Alert
Waterproofing External Areas Continual Improvement

A new alert has been published detailing incorrect construction falls and expansion joints in wet areas. Please ensure your review the alert and implement all necessary measures to maintain compliance.

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27 January / Update
Building Quality / Guidance to ensure compliance with NCC & AS

Hutchies has a range of templates and resources on the Document Library to assist with high quality building outcomes. They provide guidance on critical areas of focus that can be used in all states to ensure compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards (AS).

This includes government fact sheets on specific areas regulators are focused on currently during inspections - they are useful on all works nationally.

Please familiarise yourself with these tools and apply them to our projects.

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21 January / COVID-19
Greater Brisbane Update

Restrictions easing from 1am Friday 22 January

Please note this is a public announcement – not an announcement from Hutchies. 

As there has been no community transmission for a continuous period of 14 days, restrictions for those in Greater Brisbane will be eased as of 1am tomorrow (Friday) morning. 

Restrictions will revert to those in place in December. In summary:

> Masks will no longer be mandatory anywhere, except in airports and on flights. Masks are still encouraged in any situations where physical distancing is not possible

> Gatherings increased to 50 in homes and 100 in public spaces

> Weddings and funerals will be allowed up to 200 people

> Standing up as well as dancing will be allowed across all venues and events so long as they follow the one person per 2m2 rule

> 100% capacity will be allowed at allocated seating venues (such as stadiums)

Please continue to remain vigilant and get tested when symptoms occur.

For more information, check out the updated Queensland Roadmap:

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26 January / Public Holiday
Australia Day Holiday

National public holiday for Australia Day (Tuesday 26 January)

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