Building code clauses de-coded

Stay up to speed with industry changes and building code clauses

PlaceMakers ninth round of seminars is under way, and the focus on building code clauses – and their common compliance issues – is generating unprecedented discussion among attending builders.

Presenter John Tait, who has extensive experience as a building inspector, is using live examples to prompt builders to share their experience handling different situations.

This round focuses on fall safety, warning systems, and access routes.

“I expect builders to be a little surprised at what does and does not comply,” says John. “Come prepared to get involved in the discussion!”

Given that the Health and Safety Reform Bill has now passed, and changes to the skills maintenance scheme are starting from November, this round of seminars will include a review of the key concepts in the new WorkSafe Health and Safety at Work Act, as well as outlining the changes to LBP skills maintenance.

Contact your local PlaceMakers to register your interest and build on the skills maintenance points you’ve already earned through reading Under Construction.

New LBP scheme comes into effect this month

Earlier this year, MBIE announced that the current requirements for the LBP skills maintenance scheme were set to change

The changes come into effect this month, on 2 November, at which point LBPs will start a gradual transition to the new skills maintenance scheme. The new framework moves away from an entirely points-based system in favour of a new ‘mixed-model’ approach, with the aim of promoting more meaningful and relevant learning for LBPs.

The new model will require LBPs to complete both compulsory and elective activities. Compulsory activities include reading LBP Knowledge articles in Codewords, completing a quiz after each article and demonstrating two examples of on-the-job learning. The elective part of the new scheme remains largely the same. Each hour of relevant elective activity equals 1 LBP point.

Although the new scheme officially starts on 2 November, LBPs are only required to transition to the new system once they renew their licence on or after the change date. For example, if you are required to submit your next skills maintenance form by 13 May 2016, you will continue to do activities and earn points under the current scheme until then. From 14 May 2016, you will transfer to the new scheme.