Building Safety

Child Safety Nets Save Lives

Balconies and Balustrades

SAFETY NETS SAVE LIVES SYDNEY, July 13, 2011 Each year, at least 50 children fall from windows or balconies in Australia[1]. For most, the outcome is serious, for some—especially the very young, it is fatal. The majority of serious falls occur in children aged 0—4.1 In the past 10 months, 10 children have been hospitalised [...]

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Do You Know Whether Your Ductwork Has Been Properly and Competently Cleaned?

Air Quality
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Do You Know Whether Your Ductwork Has Been Properly and Competently Cleaned? By Ali Withers Air duct systems in buildings where there are large numbers of people need to be as clean and free of potential viruses as possible, whether the people using the buildings are employees, visitors or perhaps patients, school children or frail [...]

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Deck safety

Balconies and Balustrades

see more There I Fixed It Decks can be the highlight areas of summer nights. The best designed decks take advantage of height to make the outdoor experience more bug-free and pleasant, offering views of landscape and garden designs while decreasing the bug potential. Often a gathering place in summer months, the best decks also [...]

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Balcony safety

Balconies and Balustrades

[picappgallerysingle id="7290802"] Balcony Safety Keeping children, guests, and customers safe is the number one priority in every home and business, yet every year, homeowners and business owners alike overlook the safety of their balconies.  The following free tips will help you childproof your balcony and ensure the safety for adults. Childproofing Balconies are inviting spaces [...]

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New Premises Standards

BCA

The Australian Government Attorney Generals Department has issued New Premises Standards which come into effect  on 1 May 2011 and will apply to buildings where building approval is lodged on or after that date. The Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010 (Premises Standards) set performance requirements and provide references to technical specifications to ensure [...]

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Office Safety Tips

Articles

Even though office work is thought to be some of the safest work available, office work can be straining.  Office workers can suffer from carpal tunnel, muscle strains from uncomfortable working angles, and eye strain from poor illumination or lengthy exposure to computer screens.  Many other hazards exist in the office workplace, including the following: [...]

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BCA Stairs and Railings

BCA

Slattery & Acquroff are Australia’s oldest staircase builders and their website provides a useful design guide for safe staircase design. See the full story They also provide a link to a very useful guide to the staircase and balustrade requirements of the BCA published by the HIA. Download the guide here

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BCA Requirements for Balustrades and Handrails

Articles
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Great article from the Australian Timber Database about the bca requirements for timber balustrades and handrails. They state that: For all buildings, handrails and balustrades are required to comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The BCA is primarily concerned with the safety of building users and occupants. Design and construction must therefore take [...]

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Copy of New Qld Pool Safety Certificate

Building Safety

Download a copy of the new blank Form 23 QLD Pool Safety Certificate HERE. This public document will be completed by the Pool Safety Inspector. MORE FORMS AND CHECKLISTS SHOULD SOON BE AVAILABLE FROM QLD DPI – HERE

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Annual Safety Inspections for Retirement Villages

Australian Standards

The NSW Retirement Villages Regulation 2009 requires that all retirement villages & homes conduct annual safety inspections. As well as general property safety, some important safety factors for retirement villages include: Emergency egress procedures Provision of smoke alarms Security screens and key operated locks Safe and equitable access including people with mobility and vision impairment [...]

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Pool Safety Inspector Courses

Body Corporate

All persons undertaking pool inspections as per the new Qld pool regulations must undertake an approved 4 day course. More details HERE and Here: New Swimming Pool Safety Legislation Changes The courses are provided by AssentTECS. The Company was established in 1996 to fill a void in the marketplace for qualified, experienced education consultants, particularly [...]

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Beijing worker risks his life to demolish part of a building

Building Safety

Beijing worker risks his life to demolish part of a building

Demolition crew in Beijing improvise to get their job done. I took this from my living r…

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Disneyworld balustrade height safety problem

BCA

Disneyworld safety problem

Disneys new Bay Tower Resort has a major risk of children scaling the balcony handrails – due to the poor design of the sa…

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Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

Building Safety

Slips, trips and falls are a regular source of workplace injuries Are we creating an environment for possible slips, trips or falls without even knowing it? Have you ever: Run down a flight of stairs? Slips on snow or ice? Walked in the workplace while reading something, talking on a mobile phone? Worked in areas [...]

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Mould in Air Conditioning Systems

Air Quality

[picappgallerysingle id="9008375"] While the toxic “black mold” (Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra) does not appear to be as prevalent in Australia as it is in parts of the US, many air conditioning systems are breeding grounds other very commonly occurring moulds which are also cause for concern. Due to recently publicised out breaks over the [...]

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Mesothelioma – Chinese Drywall – the new asbestos?

Asbestos

Early indications were that the Chinese Drywall problem would be the next asbestos or black mold. However, although the issue has been huge in the US with up to 100,000 homes affected, the product has only been used over a relatively short period of time in a confined geographical area and is unlikely to have [...]

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Slip Testing Standards

Building Safety

Common question we are asked is “what is the Australian Standard for Slip Testing and what are the requirements?” We asked the floor safety gurus at SlipSmart and they provided the following information: Current and proposed amendments to the Australian Slip Testing Standards Please keep in mind that Australian Standards AS/NZS 4586:2004 was generally designed [...]

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Balustrade and Railing Height Regulations

BCA

One of the most common searches on this site is in regards to the legal heights of balcony railings and balustrades. The main query we receive is whether existing railing needs to be modified to meet the current building code if it was built prior to the current code and met relevant requirements in place [...]

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Asbestos Testing

Asbestos

SAFE ENVIRONMENTS now have a new website dedicated to asbestos testing, inspections and management http://www.asbestostesting.com.au/ They also have NATA accreditation for asbestos and hazardous materials inspections, being 1 of only 4 in the country. Asbestos has been identified in more than 3000 products and materials. The most common form of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) that [...]

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Safety of Balconies and Decks

Building Safety

The Victorian Building Commission have released a new brochure “What you need to know about Maintenance Of Balconies”. Property owners have a responsibility to ensure their balconies are safe to use. Balconies need to be inspected on regular bases and maintained to ensure they are at all times structurally sound. A guideline has been prepared [...]

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Sandwich Panel Fire Risks

Building Safety

With June Insurance Policy Renewals in full swing, we are being inundated with requests to conduct insurance surveys on buildings with substantial amounts of Expanded Polystyrene Sandwich Panel (sometimes called Insulated Sandwich Panel). The panels are highly efficient insulators and used in cool rooms, cold store warehouses and food processing buildings. There have been several [...]

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Free Hotel and Resort Risk Management Checklist

Body Corporate

Anyone who manages and apartment building, body corporate or residential strata building could also use this Our most comprehensive hotel and resort risk management checklist is now available for free download. The checklist is over 50 pages long and covers every imaginable aspect of hotel and resort risk management, safety, property protection and public liability. [...]

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Balcony and window safety for children

Body Corporate

Window Protection New from WindowSAFE The Guardian Angel™ window guards have been specifically designed to prevent children, 5 years and younger, from falling out of windows. They allow you to keep your rooms well ventilated and will provide you with peace of mind as your children grow, play and explore. Even a fall from a [...]

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Balcony Safety

Body Corporate

Balcony Safety Balcony Safety By James Witherspoon Balconies are considered a luxurious addition to your home or apartment, and they often add value to your property. Unfortunately, improperly built balconies may present more of a danger than a luxury, especially since balconies are usually above the first floor of your home. There may be a [...]

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Deck and Veranda Safety

Balconies and Balustrades

see more There I Fixed It Most Consulting Engineers offer a balcony and deck inspection services which will provide you with a report on the structural adequacy and any remedial work required. Highly recommended if you have any concerns, the structure or fittings are showing signs of age deterioration, you live in a hostile environment [...]

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Building Safety and Maintenance

Body Corporate

Essential Safety Measures Maintenance Manual (fourth edition) The Victorian Building Commission has just released the fourth edition of the Essential Safety Measures Maintenance Manual. This is an excellent resource for owners and managers of office buildings, apartment buildings or body corporate. The manual refers specifically to Victorian Regulations, which are similar with regulations in other [...]

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Balcony Safety

BCA

There have been a few recent tragedies involving the collapse of balconies. here is a great article from the Building Commission on reducing this risk through proper balcony maintenance. Balcony maintenance Inspection statistics have revealed numerous rotting balconies that could cause severe injury or death in the event of a collapse. The risk is greatest [...]

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Apartment Fire Safety

Body Corporate

Apartment Fire Safety Apartment Fire Safety By Trey Huguley Living in an apartment can be one of the greatest joys in the world, but it only takes one unfortunate accident to forever alter your lifestyle. While many of these happenstances are unavoidable, some, particularly fires, can be minimized through basic safety practices. Smoke detectors should [...]

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Handrails on Stairs

Building Safety

We have always argued that just because your building complies with the Build Code or Standards doesn’t always mean that you have met all of your duty of care obligations. The courts will treat each case on its merits and find you negligent if it decides that you should have been aware of a risk [...]

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Balconies and Balustrades

BCA

Each year, people are killed or seriously injured by either falling from balconies or being hit by objects which have fallen from balconies. Falls from upper storey windows has also led to fatalities. Balconies are used by adults and children for a range of activities including entertaining, playing, storage, relaxing and drying of clothes. Given [...]

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Property Risk Management Training

Building Safety

Noel Arnold are running 3 day Property Risk Management Training Courses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane over the next 6 months. Click Here for the brochure. Overview This 3 day (or choice of any individual day) program provides practical guidance and understanding of your legal obligations, risk exposure & how to successfully manage key property [...]

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Tradie Advice

Building Safety

Preparing your site for a storm or cyclone – From QLD Building Services Authority The Building Services Authority (BSA) is urges tradespeople to prepare their building sites for when extreme weather is predicted. Contractors should take the following precautions to help avoid the risk of injury, damage and costs associated with storms and cyclones. – [...]

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Steps Stairs and Handrails

Building Safety

Some of the most common questions we are asked are about BCA requirements for steps, stairs and handrails on staircases. Below is a summary only and only most common criteria have been included for information only. Under Section D2.13 A stairway must have: no more than 18 or no less than 2 risers in each [...]

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Shoes and Escalator Accidents

Building Safety

A few years ago there was a spate of accidents on escalators involving crocs shoes. It appeared at first as if there was something about these shoes that made them particularly hazardous on escalators. The reality seemed to be that it was really due to the popularity of the shoes at the time and there [...]

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New Laws May Affect Safety Consultants

Building Safety

Changes to the QLD BSA Act  may mean that anyone who inspects, reports or recommends anything in relation to the BCA, Fire Life Safety or Fire Protection may now need to hold a BSA license. Our initial inquiries indicate that anyone doing risk assessments, reports or recommendations regardless of technicality must be licensed. This seems [...]

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Recreation Facilities in Hotels

Building Safety

GYMNASIUMS A common amenity is a fitness centre for resident/guest use. Many will be using this equipment for the first time.  To minimize the hazards, the you should focus on the selection of equipment, information, maintenance and security. Fitness Centre Location The location of a fitness centre can vary depending upon the layout of the [...]

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Playground Safety For Hotels and Apartments

Building Safety

Children’s playgrounds are a great thing to have and really appreciated by parents. But they are perhaps one of the most hazardous areas of your operation and sadly also one of the most neglected. Injuries: Falls from equipment are the largest cause of serious injury in the playground. Other injuries include entrapment; collisions with equipment, [...]

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Balconies and Balustrades

BCA

Each year, people are killed or seriously injured by either falling from balconies or being hit by objects which have fallen from balconies. Falls from upper storey windows has also led to fatalities. Balconies are used by adults and children for a range of activities including entertaining, playing, storage, relaxing and drying of clothes. Given [...]

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New Forklift Safety Idea

Building Safety

Some of the most serious injuries in warehouses that Ive been involved in were when pedestrians were hit by a forklift. The results are almost never minor. I saw a brilliant, yet simple and cheap, idea yesterday for increasing the safety of pedestrians in warehouses. After a couple of serious incidents and many near misses, [...]

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Asbestos Audits and Inspections

Building Safety

Article courtesy of Safe Environments Asbestos Inspections Asbestos inspections are required for buildings that are likely to contain asbestos. The NSW OHS regulation requires that all buildings suspected of containing asbestos materials must have asbestos inspections conducted. However not all asbestos inspections are the same. The type of asbestos inspections during occupation will be different to [...]

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