NEWS
Quality and safety of the highest priority for Victoria’s Cladding Rectification Program V
ictoria’s world-leading $600 million Cladding Rectification Program is tackling the issue of risky combustible cladding on the highest risk residential apartment buildings across the state. Progress of the program has been rapid — to date, Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV) has met with 536 owners corporations and completed detailed inspections on 391 buildings, with work under way or complete on 200 buildings. An additional 53 buildings have signed funding agreements and will be progressed during the remainder of 2021. Independent project managers have been appointed to 246 buildings to assist owners corporations through the complex rectification process to ensure works run smoothly. Sitting at the forefront of these activities is a safety and quality program to ensure cladding rectification works are safe, while quality of works is of the highest industry standard. Leading the way for Cladding Safety Victoria is construction quality and safety manager Jo Tyrrell. With more than 10 years’ experience in the construction industry and having previously worked as the safety health and environmental manager on the Westgate Tunnel Project Eastern Zone from 2017 until joining CSV in 2021, Ms Tyrell brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Cladding Rectification Program. “The quality and safety of works is a key priority for Cladding Safety Victoria. A strong culture of supporting a healthy, safe and quality work environment will have a direct impact on the success of the program,” she said. “We’re developing and embedding strong proactive and preventative occupational health and safety and quality culture into all levels of the organisation, and we’re already noticing the positive outcomes achieved as a result. “The clerk of works program is of high importance to CSV and I really enjoy being on site engaging with
52 | Master Builders Victoria
project managers, builders and contractors. “It is important that CSV leads the way and sets the standards. “I’m always encouraging staff, contractors and others that if something isn’t quite right, or if you’re not sure, to speak up and get involved in quality and safety.” Ms Tyrell is passionate about embedding safety and quality into all levels of the organisation. “Safety and quality are everyone’s business. It doesn’t matter if you work in the office, you’re the cleaner on the construction site or the site manager, if everyone takes an active role, we will see lower risk, higher employee morale and healthier productivity,” she said. “The program has brought together a wide range of talent to deliver outcomes that will have lasting positive impacts on the Victorian community – making Victorians safer by reducing the risk associated with combustible cladding, and I’m proud to be part of this.” Ms Tyrell is also passionate about female participation in the workforce, especially in the construction industry. While working for the Westgate Tunnel Project Eastern Zone, Ms Tyrell was the Chair for the Women in Construction committee.
The committee and charter support greater female participation in non-traditional roles. It aims to educate and inform on issues regarding gender equality, set tangible targets to attract and retain women in both blue and white-collar roles, celebrate success while recognising achievements and to bring about change and advancement for women in the construction industry. “I am proud to advocate for positive changes for women in the construction industry, it’s something I have a real passion for,” she said. Ms Tyrell is also a member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Women in Design and Construction (WIDAC). “I love the challenges of this program. Each building presents its own unique set of challenges — there is no one-size-fits-all approach to cladding rectification,” she said. “I am really looking forward to seeing the clerk of works program embedded as Cladding Safety Victoria’s program of works continues to roll out.” For more information about Cladding Safety Victoria and the Cladding Rectification Program visit the website: https://www.vic.gov.au/cladding-safety.
Volume 76 Issue 03
