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FIA NEWS

Here you will find the latest news and advice
from the Formwork Industry Association. 

Keeping you up to date with FIA Events, Training,
News and Articles on best practice and safety. 


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  • 16 Jun 2023 12:37 PM | Anonymous

    Austroads has published eight additional technical specifications and one associated test method which detail the requirements and guidelines for the use of concrete in the construction of roads and bridges.

    The release includes:

    • ATS 5305 Formwork for Concrete
    • ATS 5315 Special Class Concrete
    • ATS 5316 Cementitious Mortar and Grout
    • ATS 5317 Coring of Hardened Concrete
    • ATS 5320 Placement of Concrete
    • ATS 5325 Precast Concrete Members
    • ATS 5341 Repair of Concrete Cracks
    • ATS 5830 Incrementally Launched Prestressed Concrete Girders
    • ATS 5860 Bonded Anchors
    • ATM 780 Water Retention of Concrete – Filtration

    These new technical specifications set out the requirements for the design, erection and removal of formwork, the supply and mixing of cementitious mortars and grouts, the coring of hardened concrete, the installation of post installed chemical anchors and the construction of prestressed concrete superstructures by incremental launching.

    They also feature guidelines for the placement of concrete, including handling, compaction, finishing and curing of special class concrete, precast concrete members and for the repair of cracks in concrete.

    Additionally, the new test method provides directions for measuring the water retention of concrete through filtration.

    Austroads Project Manager of Transport Infrastructure, Ross Guppy, said, “As we continue to standardise construction requirements across Australia and New Zealand with this series of technical specifications and test methods, we work to harmonise contemporary construction practice and relevant Australian and New Zealand standards across jurisdictions.

    “Austroads technical specifications and test methods are produced in consultation with industry and jurisdictions. They represent the value and benefits associated with knowledge sharing and consistency across borders.”

    For more information on these specifications, visit here.

    ATS 5305 Formwork for Concrete

    Austroads Technical Specification ATS 5305 sets out the requirements for the design, erection and removal of Formwork (including falsework) for cast-in-place concrete used in the construction of bridgeworks and other structures.

    The technical specification can also be downloaded here.

    TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION


  • 13 Jun 2023 9:44 AM | Anonymous

    Talk with a SafeWork inspector about safely working at heights in the construction industry.

    Join SafeWork NSW's live online Q and A session, to learn how to identify, assess and manage risks. You will also learn how to comply with work health and safety laws.

    These free sessions are essential for:

    • business managers and owners, principal contractors and site supervisors
    • anyone working at heights on a construction site
    • anyone who supervises apprentices or vulnerable workers.

    Register for the time and date that suits you:

    1.30 pm Wednesday 21 June

    10.30 am Thursday 22 June

    Find out more about safely working at heights in construction


  • 21 May 2023 6:03 PM | Anonymous

    “Industry takes the lead and secures funding to improve formwork safety on construction sites.
    Education, Innovation and Collaboration will be critical enablers of success”.

    Article published in Inside Construction magazine April/May 2023.

    The Formwork Industry is taking the lead and it's industry Association has secured funding to improve formwork safety on construction sites, with a focus on education, innovation and collaboration as critical enablers of success.

    The SafeWork Australia Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategy 2023-2033, which was released in the last fortnight, is a national WHS strategy agreed to by all states and territories aimed at reducing workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses and sets a national vision of safe and healthy work for all, providing a platform for delivering key work health and safety (WHS) improvements.

    The Formwork Industry Association (FIA) supports this strategy and looks forward over the next decade to continuing our commitment to healthier, safer workplaces.

    This strategy notes that generally whilst fatality and injury rates have fallen over the last decade, the progress has slowed. They say…

    "Education, Innovation and Collaboration will be critical enablers of success".

    something the FIA have been saying and actioning for the past few years!

    According to the strategy, Construction remains one of the highest contributors of fatalities and serious injuries and has one of the highest frequencies of serious claims per million hours worked.

    The FIA believe if you lift the competency of individual workers in the industry, increased safety, productivity, and quality will follow.

    Which has led us to look at the long-term solutions to the issues our industry face. The need for the Australian formwork industry to build its own education and skills pathway ...

    "A new education and skills pathway to improved safety and better buildings, towards a relevant formwork qualification that includes new RPL processes, a new industry recognised accreditation scheme and micro credential learning and verification of competency processes that build a worker’s skills and capabilities".

    This is a pathway to accredited training but one that needs urgent steps to re-engage the learner and enable accessible education for formworkers.

    We must remember that these workers left school and education at an early age, that there is no need (at present) for them to attain any qualification to work on site (other than a white card), and there are no incentives for workers to upskill or improve their competencies, or for their employers to assist.

    On top of this, access to training is difficult, lengthy, inflexible, and unresponsive to industry needs and the processes for keeping track of workers training, competency, skills and qualifications, are often costly and both time and labour-intensive.

    With an ageing workforce and a future skilled labour shortage the industry must act now to build a secure and safe future for itself and its workers.

    FIA CEO, Michael Sugg, commented “A key factor in improving industry safety, quality and productivity is to lift the competency of its workers. As the SafeWork Australia Work Health and Safety (WHS) Strategy 2023-2033 states, "Education, Innovation and Collaboration will be critical enablers of success".

    As a start, we need to re-engage the formworker in learning, build their confidence and pride, and provide incentives for learning before we can ensure there is a demand for certified training provided by the Departments of Education and funded by the government”.

    FIA President Jason Andrijic stated, “Over the past 2 years the Formwork Industry Association Board has been working with industry to develop this pathway. Stage 1 proposes the re-engagement of workers in learning and focusing on WHS issues to improve safety and a pathway to certified training. We are pleased to announce, with the support of the NSW Department of Education, that we can launch the first part of our pathway, the Safe Formworker Program”.

    Image: Part 1 of the Formwork Education and Skills pathway.


    So, what is the Safe Formworker program and how do workers access it?

    Developed in consultation with the formwork industry this program is a pathway for workers to receive micro credential learning on formwork specific WHS issues to increase awareness of formwork safety.

    Delivered via a modern mobile learning experience, the Safe Formwork Program offers bite-sized mobile courses that your team actually enjoy, complete with gamification and real rewards built-in.

    With video and image-based learning, along with gamification, it is hoped to re-engage workers in learning, tackle the language barriers and prepare workers for further learning, whilst covering the important aspects of formwork WHS issues and improving formwork safety awareness on site, so that workers can return home safely at the end of the working day.

    More than just a training course, access provides not only education on specific formwork skills and positive awareness of the industry risks, but it also provides each worker with their own individual access for 1 year, refresher courses, access to additional courses, a place to store their licences, white card, and any other training certificates, making everyone's life a lot easier.

    Feedback from a recent pilot program was exceptional with heads of safety saying “…I have been in the formwork industry for 20 years, and have not come across training like this, which is easy to understand and complete, and relevant to the work I do.”

    The program includes 5 courses and 13 lessons and can be viewed on the FIA website. Each lesson takes only 5 mins or less and can be delivered in toolbox talks or on rain affected days in the shed.

    FIA vice-president, Stefano Calautti, commented that “when we rolled the program out during toolbox talks on site, where workers were able to access the program easily via their mobile phones, we found that the change in atmosphere and attention given by our workers was incredible. All workers were fully engaged in the learning and the gamification aspect of the lessons delivered engagement in the room, with workers sharing their phones and scores with one another”.

    Worker’s feedback included comments that it was ‘easy to use’, ‘relevant to my work’, ‘it makes me feel safer that my workmates are doing the course as well’.

    After a successful pilot program and confirmed industry support from both construction and formwork companies, we are pleased to announce that the NSW Government, through the Department of Education, who are keen to work with industry and create a pathway to certified training and improving safety on site, has agreed to fund the placement of 1000 workers through the program in the coming months.

    “This is quite a task, and we are extremely grateful for the Department’s support”, commented Sugg, who is currently presenting the program to various construction and formwork companies and discussing how this can be implemented on various projects.

    With contractual requirements on every government infrastructure project and learning targets and quotas the program enables companies to report easily on statistics and overcome the ‘tick box’ mentality to training that currently exists.

    The SafeWork Australia WHS strategy 2023-2033 report states that achieving reduced worker injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, requires embedding good WHS practices, innovating and deepening knowledge of WHS risks to broaden understanding of workers and collaborating consistently to respond to WHS challenges. Something this FIA Safe Formworker Program certainly achieves.

    The report goes on to say that companies need to make sure that on their projects there is meaningful and relevant training to workers in a way they can understand. It supports the continuation and strong focus on compliance and enforcement by regulators, with a particular focus on systematic WHS management.

    If you don’t, the risk is the regulators will investigate the quality of your systems, and in particular training, to hold you accountable.

    Andrijic is very positive about the new formwork education and skills pathway getting off to a good start with the Safe Formworker program. He states, “The feedback and responses have been very promising and with 100 workers already through the program I am sure we can hit our targets.”

    Re-engaging workers in learning and covering important WHS aspects is a priority of the program, and, from early reports, it certainly looks like ‘education innovation and industry collaboration’ will be critical enablers in the success of the SafeWork Australia WHS strategy and improvements in safety awareness on site in the formwork industry. FIA CEO Sugg commented “as a result we all firmly believe we will see not only improved safety, but productivity and quality on projects”.

    Details of the program can be found here on the FIA website and safety managers are encouraged to contact CEO Michael Sugg to discuss support on how to achieve the target of 1000 workers through the program to improve site safety.


  • 21 May 2023 4:56 PM | Anonymous

    Inside Construction Expo - Melbourne.

    With more than 150 speakers, (including the FIA), across four stages, Inside Construction Expo will feature a comprehensive conference program with experts from a range of Tier 1 and Tier 2 construction companies, contractors, suppliers, government departments and associations.



    And many others!

    Meet all speakers here. Registration for the conferences completely free.

    Get tickets


  • 21 May 2023 4:48 PM | Anonymous

    On 9 May 2023, Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the 2023-24 Federal Budget.

    It follows the Treasurer’s “mini-budget” in October, which was released five months after Labor won the May election. Amid the backdrop of economic instability and cost of living pressures, the Government delivered the first budget surplus in 15 years.

    Dr Chalmer’s message to Australians was that this was a Budget that lay the foundations for growth and prosperity. The 2023-24 Federal Budget focused on cost-of-living relief through electricity bill support, cheaper childcare, rent assistance and an increase to JobSeeker payments. There was also historic investment in Medicare, defence and energy transition.

    FIA's financial and business advisory partner, HLB Mann Judd’s Federal Budget Alert provides a succinct summary of the announcements related to personal and business taxation, tax compliance and superannuation.

    Contact their advisers should you wish to learn more or prepare for any matters which may affect your business or personal situation.

    Download the report


        

  • 27 Apr 2023 10:27 AM | Anonymous

    On 1 April 2023, new Work Health and Safety (Psychosocial Risks) Amendment Regulation 2022 (Qld) and the Queensland Code of Practice on Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work 2022 (Code) commenced to assist persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) in discharging their obligations to workers regarding psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

    ‘Psychosocial’ hazards have become a buzz word in recent years – largely due to an increase in psychological harm people are suffering in relation to work – and equally due to our increasing awareness about the issues. Psychosocial hazards create a stressful work environment which may cause psychological or physical injuries in the workplace, including worker burnout or depression.

    Psychosocial hazards arise in all facets of the workplace and can stem from workers’ social and physical work environments, and include bullying, sexual harassment, poor support, low role clarity, low recognition and poor workplace relationships. Psychosocial hazards can also come from poor job design, a lack of organisational justice and management and the social context of work.

    Read Full Article


  • 18 Apr 2023 11:14 AM | Anonymous

    Construction contractors, property developers, infrastructure investors, design consultancies, and other interested parties are invited to register their interest to hear more about the Garden Island Defence Precinct (GIDP) Program. The event will present a panel of industry representatives including representatives from the Department of Defence and the Royal Australian Navy to introduce this project and provide an overview of the $3.1 billion dollar upgrade to a range of facilities within the Garden Island Defence Precinct.

    Event details

    When: 2nd May 2023, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM (breakfast served at 8am. Doors open at 7:45)

    Where: The Ivy Ballroom, Sydney, 320 George Street Sydney

    What: Industry opportunities briefing, interactive Q & A session, networking and breakfast included.

    Register at the GIDP Virtual Engagement Room

    Participants are invited to register for the event at the GIDP Virtual Engagement Room (see front page or visit the For Industry button https://gidp.ghdengage.com/) by 26 April 2023.

    The Garden Island Defence Precinct (GIDP) Program is a critical estate renewal program that will sustain the facilities and infrastructure necessary to support Defence and the Royal Australian Navy. The Program will address a range of prioritised strategic infrastructure investment needs across the GIDP sites, including the Chowder Bay Naval Fuel Installation, Spectacle Island and Captain Cook Graving Dock to align with the 2045 Base Vision and capability requirements.    

    Project Overview

    The Department of Defence is planning a redevelopment of the critical infrastructure and facilities on Garden Island Defence Precinct in Sydney Harbour. These redevelopment plans are necessary to strengthen Australia’s national Defence capability. The Garden Island Defence Precinct (GIDP) is an important operational support base for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and has enjoyed an extensive history within Sydney Harbour. The GIDP site is located directly north of Potts Point and approximately two kilometres from the Sydney Central Business District.

    Historically, Garden Island was an actual island in Sydney Harbour, and the base was extended to join the mainland of Potts Point for naval purposes. The ‘dry dock’ has sustained generations of naval ships.

    The current site is limited in capacity, with several buildings around the base dating back to the 1960s to 1980s. Given the limitations of the current base, the future project objectives established by the Commonwealth are for a faster, more productive, innovative, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure.

    The Project is at the earliest stages of visioning, master-planning and appreciation of the Project needs. With significant planning and design activities to occur, construction is expected to commence in 2026. 

    In the meantime, please explore the Virtual Engagement Room to learn more about the Project.


  • 18 Apr 2023 11:08 AM | Anonymous

    The latest podcast from our legal advisory partner Kingston Reid.

    All episodes in our four-part podcast series are available on the Workplace Law Reform Resources page. Listen to our partners and special counsel as they discuss the impact of changes to workplace laws and how employers can navigate them.

    Episode 1: The new world of industrial bargaining
    Steven Amendola and Brendan Milne cover the new world of workplace bargaining.

    Episode 2: Protected industrial action
    Lucy Shanahan and Michael Mead discuss the impact of changes to protected industrial action and intractable bargaining disputes.

    Episode 3: Preventing sexual harassment 
    Christa Lenard and Shelley Williams explain the new protections to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

    Episode 4: Individual employment arrangements
    Shelley Williams and Emily Baxter discuss the new pay secrecy, fixed term contracts and flexible work provisions.

    Please reach out to the Kingston Reid team if you would like our support in developing your strategies for managing the changes.

    CLICK TO START LISTENING


  • 18 Apr 2023 11:05 AM | Anonymous

    Welcome to Financial Times, our business advisory and financial partner HLB Mann Judd's quarterly newsletter, which contains a collection of insights written by their professionals for businesses and individuals.

    Download

    In the Autumn 2023 issue we explore:

    • Pay secrecy change to the Fair Work Act
    • The Government's recent review of the Modern Slavery Act
    • Estate planning 101 - 4 key steps
    • Findings from the 2023 IPO Watch Australia Report
    • Tax planning in migrating funds from overseas
    • Inheriting the future - how to set up the next generation for success
    • The ATO's guidance on trust arrangements
    • New appointments


  • 18 Apr 2023 11:01 AM | Anonymous

    A tax update from our business and financial partner, HLB Mann Judd.

    There are a number of Tax Updates we need to share with you.

    Director ID Update

    A reminder that the application for a Director Identification Number is now overdue. If you are a director of a company and you have not already applied for a Director ID, then you should attend to this urgently.

    Directors who have not applied for a Director ID, may be subject to civil and criminal sanctions including criminal penalties of up to $13,200 and civil penalties of up to $1,100,000.

    Please ensure you have provided your HLB adviser of your Director ID number.

    Changes to NSW Foreign Surcharges

    Revenue NSW announced on 21 February 2023 that effective immediately, citizens of New Zealand, Finland, Germany and South Africa will no longer be required to pay surcharge purchaser duty or surcharge land tax (collectively referred to as “foreign surcharges”) on residential property or land held in their own capacity.

    If this affects you, please click here to read more.

    Significant Global Entities - take note!

    From 1 January 2023, the ATO has increased the failure to lodge penalties starting at $137,500 with a maximum of $687,500 per late lodgement over 5 months late. We have also noticed a change in the way they consider lodgement deferrals with much stricter consideration with many recent applications being denied.

    The ATO have also advised our team that they will be imposing SGE failure to lodge (FTL) penalties from January 2023 as they now have a dedicated FTL team actioning these whereas in the past, they may have issued warning letters.

    This is a reminder to ensure that your lodgements are on time and managed appropriately, noting that the penalties can apply to tax returns, activity statements, FBT, taxable payments annual reports, CbC reporting and financial statements just to name a few.

    March Tax Alert

    This Alert addresses:

    • Working from home expenses: new fixed rate;
    • Upcoming FBT related changes;
    • ATO targeting private not-for-profit schemes;
    • Outcomes of quality of financial advice review, and
    • Superannuation tax break changes.

    Download Tax Alert

    If you have any questions on any of the above please reach out to your HLB Adviser.


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Mittagong | NSW 2575

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The Formwork Industry Association (FIA) strives to continuously improve competence and safety across the Formwork industry by bringing the industry together for networking, advocacy and knowledge sharing to raise standards and minimise risk.


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