9 August 2021 / COVID-19

Sites Reopening & New Government Requirements on Job Sites

Important Update

The NSW Government's new requirements for workers and construction sites across Greater Sydney have been confirmed in the latest Health Order published earlier this evening.

The result of the Health Order is that from 12.01am on Wednesday (11 August), all construction sites will be able to reopen across Greater Sydney (including in affected LGAs) provided they comply with the following:

capacity limit of 50% of the maximum daily workforce, or 1 person per 4 square metres of space at the construction site (whichever is lesser)
ensuring workers from affected LGAs are complying with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements before they enter site
the COVID-19 safety plan in place at the site

Maximum daily workforce of a construction site means the maximum number of workers (including supervisors and people in site offices) at the construction site on any day during the project life cycle, derived from the current resourcing plan for the construction site. Each project must have available a resourcing schedule which clearly shows the actual or projected maximum capacity of the project.

Hutchies' Teams will work with all subcontractors to establish workforce requirements across each trade to ensure optimal productivity across our sites.

NSW Direction

Hutchies' Greater Sydney site entry process

From Wednesday 11 August 2021, the Government has ordered that residents of an area of concern (currently several LGAs and suburbs) can return to work but must provide evidence that they have:

had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or
had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 21 days ago or
had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within the last 21 days and been tested for COVID-19 in the past 72 hours (and then tested every 3 days until 21 days has passed since the first vaccine dose) or
evidence of a medical exemption and have been tested for COVID-19 in the past 72 hours (3 days).

We will be seeking further detail from the Government over the next 24 hours regarding the specific records that must be maintained on site to comply with this Health Order. Initially all Hutchies’ job sites in Greater Sydney are to implement the below process to comply with the government direction.

Whilst it is acknowledged that sites have varying entry processes and the below may need to be adapted to suit site specific requirements, all Hutchies' projects must ensure they do not permit anyone on site that is not complying with the Health Order. Initially this will be achieved with the following procedure which is subject to change pending further advice from Government and industry briefings.

Worker arrives at Hutchies' site entry
COVID Marshal / Hutchies' representative checks the worker's identification (this should only need to be done once to establish the place of residence for each worker)
Anyone who has an address within one of the nominated LGAs (refer to the current LGAs / suburbs list here) will be asked to present confirmation of one of the following:
1. Two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or
2. One dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 21 days ago or
3. One dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within the last 21 days and a COVID-19 test in the past 72 hours (3 days)
A worker who has a residential address within an affected area who is unable to produce evidence of the above will not be permitted to enter site
Workers who are permitted on site will then be directed by the COVID Marshal / Hutchies' representative to:
1. Sign into Service NSW's QR code check in and
2. Complete the Hutchies’ Site Declaration form and
3. Complete any other site-specific sign in requirements
The COVID Marshal / Hutchies' representative will also ensure that the worker is wearing a face mask.

Required evidence

The NSW Government has stipulated that workers from affected areas are required to provide evidence to their workplace.

For evidence of a vaccination this can include:

online immunisation history statement
COVID-19 digital certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register

For evidence of a COVID-19 test, this can include:

an SMS text message from the testing organisation
an email from the testing organisation

Evidence of a medical exemption must be from a medical practitioner in the form approved by the NSW Chief Health Officer.

Affected workers' vaccination requirements

Some workers are required by the NSW Government to have a COVID-19 vaccination before they can continue to work. You can read the full requirements on the NSW Government website.

New and updated posters for site entries

Click the image below to download each poster. Other COVID posters can be viewed by clicking the red button.

Coronavirus Information

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30 October / Quality Alert

Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage will be banned

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

The industry is shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica-related diseases. Although the consultations are under way and there has been no official announcement by Federal or State Governments on the issue, the health and safety risks along with the uncertainty around this issue warrants a decision to ban all engineered products entering job sites nationally. The ban will take effect on 1July 2024 and will extend to ALL engineered stone regardless of the silica content percentage.

An update to this alert will be provided before the end of the year when the Federal and State Governments are expected to issue a formal decision on the ban. In the meantime, to mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform the clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product. Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Product alternatives going forward include:

Compact Laminates

Under 1% silica content
Extremely competitive pricing
Only comes in 12mm thickness
Heat resistance is an issue
Product not suitable for high end applications

Porcelain Surfaces

Under 10% silica content
Price dependant of product and supplier
Large variety of colours and thicknesses (4, 8, 12, 20 and 30mm)
Great resistance to staining, scratches, UV and heat
Good warranty terms

Acrylic Solid Surfaces

0% silica content
More expensive alternative
Limited thickness availability
UV stable and heat resistant but direct heat exposure not advised
Minimising wastage through flexibility in sheet sizing
Seamless joints

Natural Stone*

Various silica content percentages
Variety of products at different price points available
Ongoing maintenance may be an issue
Unlikely to satisfy specific warranty requirements

*Although this alert does not directly impact natural stone, some types have high silica content so risk of using these on projects should be considered carefully.

For an up-to-date list of available products and their usability, click here.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact the Quality Team:

Phone 1300 HUTCHIES
Email QualityTeam@hutchinsonbuilders.com.au

10 October / Update

Installation Details for Elephant's Foot & Wastech Bin Chutes

Make sure bin chute systems are installed correctly, following the tested systems and the manufacturers’ instructions.

Check the detailed drawings from Elephant’s Foot and Wastech for different wall types (plasterboard, shaft-liner, speed panel, concrete, Hebel, and masonry).

Any changes to the tested systems must be approved by your project certifier, signed off by the fire engineer in the fire engineering report (FER), and accepted by the relevant state / territory fire service.