Master Plumber Magazine - Spring 2022

SPRING 2022

Heard About

Hydrogen?

Safe Work Month

Breaking Down the Barriers for Apprentices

Notifiable Workplace Injuries

Dedicated to the trade.

Because service is more important than ever before.

Here to help you get the job done.

Plumbing Plus has a long history of superior service and helping customers get the job done. Now, in our post pandemic ‘covid-normal’ reality, good old fashioned customer service is more important than ever.

As Australia powers forward, here at Plumbing Plus we’re committed to our customers more than ever.

‘Above-and-beyond’ customer service has always been in our blood. It’s a key pillar to our reason for being.

The pandemic has only reaffirmed and strengthened our duty to our trade customers.

We’ll always prioritise coming together and finding the best solution. Turning our customers into mates isn’t just a nice tagline, it’s what we aspire to do every day.

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Plumbing Plus is a network of knowledge and expertise as much as it is a network of members. It’s a group of independents that are united in their unwavering dedication to the trade community.

2022 is set to be a year of growth for the trade industry and trade businesses need partners they can rely on. Plumbing Plus members are here to help you get the job done.

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CONTENTS

Spring 2022 22 Workplace Health & Safety Know Safety, Work Safely!

Workplace Health and Safety – Top 10 Tips Upskill Your Work Health & Safety Knowledge with These Online Courses Work Well 365 – Safer, Healthier Workplaces for Everyone, Every Day!

28 Social 30 Events & Training 33 Vale

14

9 6 Executive 7 Industry News 11 Legislation Building and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2022

12 Technical Heard About Hydrogen?

14 Apprentices TAFE Queensland Puts More Plumbers in the Pipeline for the Gold Coast

16 HR Independent Panel to Drive Ethical Procurement Which Workplace Injuries and Illnesses are Notifiable?

18 Product News

Tired of the Tedious Wait for Hot Water?

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16

Rinnai Australia Unveil New Revolutionary Renewable Energy Technologies

Subscribe Want to receive your own copy of the Master Plumber publication?

Email advertising@mpaq.com.au with your name and postal address to receive future issues of the Master Plumber magazine.

PUBLISHED BY Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland 243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge QLD 4110 P: 07 3273 0800 F: 07 3273 0873 E: info@mpaq.com.au W: www.mpaq.com.au THE TEAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Penny Cornah P: 07 3273 0800 E: penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Ashleigh Stonehewer P: 07 3273 0800 E: ashleigh.stonehewer@mpaq.com.au DESIGN PrintPublish P: 1300 98 94 91 E: eoghan@printpublish.com.au PRINT Printcraft P: 07 3291 2444 E: marketing@printcraft.com.au

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

Editor’s Note Welcome to the Spring edition of the Master Plumber Magazine!

As we enter the final few months of 2022, I can’t quite believe how fast

October is also Safe Work Month,

this year has gone. While final preparations are taking place for our last events

so in recognition of this, we have a

and courses of the year, we’re also turning our focus towards planning for

feature on workplace health and safety

2023 so we can continue to offer MPAQ members value in our support and

on pages 22-26. Being healthy and

business services.

safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. No job should

In this edition, MPAQ’s Technical Officer, Stuart McConnell, talks about hydrogen. If there was a buzzword in the industry right now it would be

be unsafe, and no death or injury is acceptable. A safe and healthy workplace

hydrogen! Everyone’s talking about hydrogen, but nobody really knows much

benefits everyone. I encourage everyone this Safe Work Month to think about

about it. Stuart investigates this further on pages 12-13.

steps you can take to improve your own health and safety in the workplace, as well as that of those around you.

The Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards will take place in October. With

Congratulations to all members reaching milestones in this edition, and a

finalists having been announced, we’re all really excited to celebrate the achievements of our industry with the hundreds of attendees at the ceremony.

warm welcome to our newest members. Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to check out our events and training calendar on pages 30-31 to

Ashleigh

see what else we have coming up in the next few months.

34 Member News 35 MPAQ 36 Milestones

29

fatalities (2.1 per 100,000 workers)

6

fatalities (4.6 per 100,000 workers)

11

fatalities (1.3 per 100,000 workers)

18

51

fatalities (1.5 per workers)

34

fatalities (1.4 per 100,000 workers)

53

fatalities (1.3 per 100,000 workers)

22

2

33 38 New Members 39 Supporters

fatalities (0.8 per 100,000 workers)

100,000 MPAQ COUNCIL PRESIDENT Kent Vickers P: 0418 883 999 E: kvickers@qigs.com.au

TRUSTEES Bill Watson AM P: 07 3273 2333 E: bill@connectorsgroup.com.au fatalities (3.2 per Bob Kimlin M: 0419 744 383 E: bobbailey6@outlook.com

VICE PRESIDENTS Patrick Robertson P: 07 3276 8833 E: info@rpgs.com.au Michael Ryan P: 07 3630 4744 E: mryan@beavisbartels.com.au

LIFE MEMBERS G Cottee, F Huysing, MJ Moor, T Morris, J Porter, NF Sharman, BD Wallace, WB Watson AM, R Kimlin, R Weaver

PAST PRESIDENT Kelvin Slade P: 0417 787 284 E: sales@sladebrosplumbing.com.au TREASURER John Salmon P: 07 3862 2777 E: john@salmonplumbing.com.au COUNCILLORS Dennis Yarrow P: 07 3277 5742 E: admin@yarrowplumbing.com.au Harle Gall P: 0437 768 409 E: h.gall@laserplumbing.com.au EXTERNAL COUNCILLORS Melissa Millar P: 07 3822 2422 E: info@millarsplumbing.com Mark Denning P: 0400 305 361 E: mark.denning@fallonservices.com

8

100,000 workers)

MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEMBERS A Chapman, T Morris, D Powell, B Wallace, R Weaver, M Wilshere, D Nunn, J Ritchie, K Slade, R Walker DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the MPAQ, nor does the MPAQ guarantee the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or accepts responsibility for statements they may express in this publication. The MPAQ does not accept liability to advertisers, which may be held contrary to the Trade Practices Act 1974. The MPAQ reserves the right to refuse, cancel, amend or suspend any advertisements or inserts without reason.

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

5

EXECUTIVE

PERSPECTIVE After nine years of conservative rule in Australia, it came to an end, as Anthony Albanese’s Labor Party defeated Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal-National coalition in the country’s federal election in May this year.

Albanese is the fourth person to serve as deputy prime minister and prime minister, after John McEwen, Paul Keating, and Julia Gillard. For the Penny Cornah, Executive Director first time since 2007, the ALP has won more seats than the Coalition, they formed a minority government after 2010’s line-ball election, and then lost in 2013.

You might ask what impact does the new federal government have on MPAQ? MPAQ is part of Master Plumbers Australia and New Zealand (MPANZ).

They are the collective voice for the Australian and New Zealand plumbing industry, and together collaborate on a national and international level. Prior to the election, MPANZ wrote to all political parties advising of our key priorities for the plumbing and gas industry. These priorities include: 1. Ensuring that all plumbing products sold, imported into and used in Australia must hold WaterMark certification.

2. Implementing stronger national legislation and defined processes to guarantee security of payment for construction industry contractors and sub-contractors.

3. Introducing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and mandatory minimum four-year apprenticeships across the plumbing industry.

4. Bringing plumbing industry employment legislation into line with standard business practices.

5. Ensuring offsite constructed modules in the construction industry, commonly called pods, are certified by a licensed plumber if they involve plumbing works.

Since the election MPANZ has written to several Ministers to congratulate them on their appointment and to request meetings. They include: • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese • Minister for Women, Attorney-General Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher​ MP • Minister for Small Business The Hon Julie Collins MP​ • Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations The Hon Tony Burke MP​ • Minister for Skills and Training The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP​ • Minister for Industry and Science The Hon Ed Husic MP​ • Minister for the Environment and Water The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP MPAQ through its involvement with MPANZ looks forward to collaborating with the federal government for the betterment of the plumbing and gas industry.

To contact me please call 07 3273 0800 or email penny.cornah@mpaq.com.au.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Kent Vickers, President

Having worked in the Queensland (QLD) gas fields, I never contemplated the possibility of Australia running out of natural gas. Although it was a few years ago, the leases that were being mined at the time were less than half of the available areas in which this valuable resource could be found. Many of the potential basins were not even surveyed as the abundance of natural gas already discovered would exceed the existing demand for decades.

In recent years, the QLD Government has released several new titles for geological exploration as a safety net to bolster our local natural gas supply and to support our export commitments. The exploration in southwest QLD has confirmed that the reserves of natural gas in our state will outlast all of us, and our children, if used wisely.

Knowing that we have such a plentiful supply of clean energy at our disposal, makes me wonder why the southern states of Australia are so keen to abandon the use of this natural resource, relying on electricity produced predominantly through coal fired power stations. Whether you believe in global warming or not, you cannot deny that electricity produced from coal fired power stations is not green. The statistics say that on average, 82% of the electrical energy produced in Australia is generated by coal fired power stations.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

Those of you who know me, will understand my background is firmly entrenched in the QLD gas industry, and yes, my opinion is probably biased.

But what I want to point out, is the agenda of the southern states to ban the installation of natural gas by 2025.

Australia has embraced the production and use of hydrogen as a clean renewable energy resource. QLD has a dedicated Minister for Hydrogen (the Hon. Mick de Brenni MP), who has proven to be one of the biggest advocates for the fast tracking and development of hydrogen projects by any state government in Australia. Queensland is clearly the best place to produce hydrogen with our large open areas and sunny weather. Couple this with our hydrogen training centre of excellence at Beenleigh we have all the bases covered.

To explain why the actions of the southern states to ban natural gas by 2025 is a bad idea, I would like you to consider this. Our natural gas infrastructure (mains and services) are already delivering natural gas to the majority of the population. If you ban natural gas, then the network owners will be unable to maintain, develop, and grow their asset. Look into the future when hydrogen is ready to be injected as a blend, or even 100% as a renewable green resource and we suddenly realised that there is no infrastructure available to transport it to our homes and industry. The inclusion of natural gas infrastructure must be brought back into the specifications of all new buildings and developments to ensure the pipework is installed at the construction stage and ready to go when hydrogen becomes abundantly available.

The actions of the Governments in the southern states are short sighted. I plan on meeting with the Minister for Hydrogen to discuss the plans to firstly maintain the use of natural gas and secondly to implement a robust strategy for the use of hydrogen in our state.

See you all at the Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards on 14 October.

Life’s good!

INDUSTRY NEWS

NEW SCAFFOLDING STEP HEIGHT

HIGH-PRESSURE CLEANERS ON ASBESTOS ROOFS

A revised Scaffolding code of practice came into effect on 1 July 2021, but the new required step height from the scaffold stair module to the working platform was delayed.

In March 2022, an unlicenced painter in Sherwood used high-pressure water spray equipment to clean a corrugated asbestos cement sheet roof for painting. As a result, asbestos-contaminated dust or debris (ACD) was spread across the site and neighbouring properties, including internal parts of the house next door through open windows.

Section 2.7.1.1 of the code now applies to any stand-alone scaffolding erected since 1 July 2022. The step height from the scaffold stair module to the working platform should be no more than 300mm if there is a change in direction between landings.

This change was made because the final step height from the scaffold stair to the working platform was typically around 500mm.

Scaffold stair modules are traditionally 1.5 metres in height on scaffolds that have two metre lift heights, leaving a 500mm final step onto the work platform.

When workers step that high onto a work platform, especially if they have to turn and bend and are carrying equipment, there is risk of a slip, trip or fall.

Using two-metre-high scaffold stairs, or reconfiguring the scaffold, reduces the height of the step from the scaffold stair on to the working platform.

Slips, trips, falls, and musculoskeletal injuries remain ongoing concerns in the construction industry. This change to the code of practice was recommended by an industry steering group to reduce the risks in these areas.

For more information visit www.worksafequeensland.com.au

In May 2022, an unlicensed painter in Tarragindi used a high-pressure cleaner on a corrugated asbestos cement sheet roof before painting. As a result, ACD was spread across the site, footpath and neighbouring properties. The spread of ACD could have been greater if the painter had not been asked to stop by a contractor working at a neighbouring property as he recognised the roof potentially contained asbestos.

In June 2022, an unlicensed painter in Coorparoo used high-pressure equipment on another corrugated asbestos cement sheet roof in preparation for painting. This again resulted in ACD spread across several locations on the property, a neighbouring yard, motor vehicles, the footpath and kerb and channel.

For further safety tips and how to manage future situations, view WorkSafe Queensland’s website at www.worksafeqld.gov.au.

Article Source: www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

Article Source: www.worksafe.qld.gov.au

KEEP TRAINING AND STAY AHEAD Our industry leading training will help you get ahead of the game, and stay there throughout your career.

STC offers industry-led apprenticeship and post-apprenticeship training in commercial plumbing, mechanical services (air-conditioning) and fire protection.

Contact us to find out more about the courses we have available in-person and online!

Ph: 1300 222 727 Email: info@tstca.com.au www.theservicetradescollege.com.au

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

7

INDUSTRY NEWS

NEW CODES AND STANDARDS – NCC The new National Construction Code (NCC) is due to be released on 1 October 2022 and will be adopted on 1 May 2023.

The NCC encapsulates the Building Code of Australia (BCA) (volumes one and two) and the Plumbing Code of Australia (PCA) (volume three).

The new PCA 2022 delivers several changes from the 2019 version including new provisions for on-site wastewater management, and a new verification method for sanitary plumbing and drainage pipe sizing. Also, a new verification method for cross-connection control also allows the user to identify a hazard risk by using a simple to follow matrix. Tested extensively across Australia, this verification method assists in improving the consistency of installations across all jurisdictions and remove the frustration often seen in the past.

With the adoption of the new PCA 2022, new versions of standards will also come into effect as “referenced documents”, some of these include: • AS/NZS3500:2021 Series • AS 2419: 2021 – Fire hydrant installations — System design, installation and commissioning • AS 3740: 2021 – Waterproofing of domestic wet areas • AS/NZS 4234: 2021 – Heated water systems — Calculation of energy consumption • AS 5216:2021 – Design of post-installed and cast-in fastenings in concrete • AIRAH-DA07:2021 – Criteria for moisture control design analysis in buildings • FPAA101D:2021 – Automatic Fire Sprinkler System Design and Installation — Drinking Water Supply

• NSF/ ANSI/ CAN 372: 2020 – Drinking Water System Components – Lead Content Additionally, the new AS/NZS2845.3:2020 – Backflow prevention devices – Field testing and maintenance of testable devices also comes into effect with the new PCA (as a secondary referenced document under AS/NZS3500.1:2021).

The new AS/NZS2845.3:2021 introduces new testing procedures that will come into effect with the new PCA, this means you will no longer be able to test to the 2010 version of the standard.

The Plumbing Code of Australia can be accessed at www.abcb.gov.au.

MPAQ members have free access to eight, double check industry relevant Australian Standards. These can viewed, downloaded, and printed at www.mpaq.com.au.

Article written by Ernie Kretschmer – Deputy Executive Director, MPAQ

KNOW THE ZONES—FIRE ANT BIOSECURITY ZONE CHANGES ARE COMING. On 1 September 2022, 60 new suburbs in South East Queensland will be added to the existing fire ant biosecurity zones, while five suburbs will shift to a different zone.

The zone changes are in seven local government areas—Brisbane City, Lockyer Valley, Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Ipswich and Logan.

Anyone working with or moving organic materials needs to be familiar with these zones, which help prevent the spread of fire ants.

See full article at www.fireants.org.au Article supplied by National Fire Ant Eradication Program

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INDUSTRY NEWS

BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS FOR APPRENTICES The ‘Breaking down the barriers for apprentices’ report was launched on 30 June by Minister for Training and Skills Development the Hon. Di Farmer MP.

POSITIVE COMPLIANCE ACTION FOR ONLINE PLATFORMS With online shopping continuing to grow, the WELS Compliance team have been focused on scanning for products that are being offered for sale online that don’t meet WELS requirements and should not be on the Australian market.

Over the past year, the WELS team have also been working closely with the platform providers for eBay, Alibaba, AliExpress, Amazon, and Wish to find and remove non-compliant products.

These companies have been collaborating with WELS to develop compliance policies to support their users and sellers agreements and to help with educating their sellers about meeting the requirements for Australia.

Under special arrangements, the WELS team have authority to remove noncompliant product listings or to restrict a seller account if sellers continue to not comply. In 2021-22 alone, the WELS team found 991 sellers who had noncompliant listings and removed 2,787 products across the platforms and restricted the accounts of 40 sellers.

For more information visit waterrating.gov.au/news.

Article source: https://www.waterrating.gov.au/news/inkwels-issue-1-2022

NATION’S FIRST HYDROGEN WORKFORCE PLAN The Queensland Government has delivered a nationwide first with the launch of a dedicated workforce development plan for the hydrogen industry.

The report is a review of the support that is provided to Queensland apprentices and trainees, with a focus on female apprentices in male dominated occupations. Providing twelve recommendations, all of which have been accepted by the Government, the report is the next step in an area where MPAQ has been a leader.

Seven of the recommendations relate to improvements for female apprentices with the key ones for the plumbing community being: • Urgent implementation of a Train to Retain Strategy 2.0.

• Enhancing communication with apprentices and training through the provision of a digital card.

• Providing advice to small businesses about the benefits of diversifying their workforce.

• Construction Skills Queensland to develop a Queensland Women in Construction Strategy.

• Review of administrative arrangements (including employer resource assessments) to ensure they are not an enabler of real or perceived conflict in the workplace.

MPAQ welcomes these recommendations. For some time, MPAQ have been calling for the provision of identification and enhanced communication for apprentices. MPAQ hopes there are ways that a digital card can be also used to increase licensing compliance as we have seen in other states. For example, if a person claims to be an apprentice their digital card can easily be checked. As opposed to the current burdensome process.

Plumbing has been a leader in the promotion of women in the trades through our ambassador programs, award nights, and our key role within women in construction. It is terrific to see this approach being adopted by the highest levels.

Plumbing is a great career no matter your gender and MPAQ will continue to work to make it even better for all.

To discuss further, contact MPAQ on 07 3273 0800.

Article written by Glen Chatterton (Manager, Industry Engagement and Strategic Projects - Services Trades College)

Queensland’s Minister for Training and Skills Development the Hon. Di Farmer MP launched the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap 2022-2032 in a speech to the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney to build a pipeline of skilled, hydrogen-ready workers.

“This Roadmap is the first dedicated workforce development plan for the industry and sets a path to a strong and adaptable workforce for a safe and thriving Queensland hydrogen industry,” Minister Farmer said.

For more information on the Hydrogen Industry Workforce Development Roadmap visit www.desbt.qld.gov.au/hydrogenroadmap MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

9

INDUSTRY NEWS

STATE BUDGET 2022/23 The 2022-23 Queensland State Budget was handed down on Tuesday 22 June by Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment the Hon. Cameron Dick MP. The budget includes a large infrastructure spend, particularly in the area of health. It also includes commitments to the construction of new schools as well as expansion and redevelopment work across various government assets.

The Budget contains an increase in payroll tax deductions, the continuation of apprentice and trainee wage rebates, and a focus on workforce participation programs. Finally, it has a key focus on Hydrogen both as pumped storage and, importantly, the development of this gas as a key industry within Queensland.

Please find below the key details that impact our sector: • • • •

Budget surplus of $1.914B for the current financial year.

Deficit forecast of $1.03B for 2022-23.

Unemployment forecast of 4% for 2022-23.

Increased payroll tax deductions to businesses with annual wages between $1.3M and $10.4M by changing the phase out rate to 14.3c per dollar. For example, a business with $6.5M in taxable wages will receive an additional deduction of $26,000 per annum.

• 50% payroll tax rebate for apprentice and trainee wages extended by 12 months to 30 June 2023.

• $59.1B in capital program over four years ($15.5B to be spent this year), supporting around 48,000 construction jobs in 2022-23. Including:

• New hospitals in Bundaberg, Toowoomba and Coomera.

• Hospital expansions in Cairns, Townsville, Robina, Mackay, Redcliffe, Ipswich, Hervey Bay, Princess Alexandra, QEII, Prince Charles and Logan. The construction of a Queensland Cancer Centre at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

• New ambulance stations in Caloundra South, Lawnton, Morayfield, Ormeau and Ripley.

• Redeveloped ambulance stations in Southport, Pimpama and Toowoomba.

• Five new primary schools to be built in: Caboolture West, Caloundra South, Ripley Valley, Greater Flagstone and Bars Scrub.

• $19.9B for education and training (including TAFE).

• $48B towards pumped hydro energy storage projects.

• $3.34B Queensland Jobs Fund, which includes programs to support sectors such as hydrogen.

• $100M Skilling Queenslanders for Work program to increase workforce participation.

To view the full 2022/23 State Budget visit budget.qld.gov.au.

Article written by Glen Chatterton (Manager, Industry Engagement and Strategic Projects - Services Trades College)

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LEGISLATION

BUILDING AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT ACT 2022 On 10 June 2022, technical changes that were recently passed through Queensland Parliament commenced.

These changes, all of which are now in force, include: • Clarifying the use of solar hot water systems and solar panels within developments impacted by covenants.

• Expanding the use of greywater in HVAC. • Allowing the use of holding tanks for sewage and grey water.

• Enhancing the ability of a complainant to receive outcome information from the QBCC on a complaint they have made.

• Including enforcement provisions relating to combustible cladding.

• Making minor reforms to QBCC head contractor exemptions.

Use of Solar Hot Water Systems and Solar Panels • A policy known as ‘Ban the Banners’ was introduced in 2010. The policy related to the use of covenants and body corporate by-law rules and their impact on sustainability measures.

• Covenants and body corporate by-law rules historically could be used to prohibit the use of energy efficient or sustainable building features.

The types of features that could no longer be prohibited by ‘Ban the Banners’ included: • Light roof colours • Energy efficient windows • Specific types of material and finishes on external walls and roofing • Another impact of ‘Ban the Banners’ was the installation of a solar hot water system or photovoltaic cells could not be prohibited or restricted for the purposes of preserving the external appearance of a building.

‘Ban the Banners’ prohibited these restrictions, regardless of when they were introduced as opposed to the majority of other changes (list above) which commenced in 2010 moving forward.

• A court challenge resulted in the ability of the ‘Ban the Banner’ provisions that related to solar hot water systems and photovoltaic cells to be ‘worked around’. This has been done by: • restricting the purposes for which a developer or a body corporate can, through a relevant instrument, inhibit the installation of a solar hot water system or solar panels (solar infrastructure) on the roof of a home or garage, to limited purposes that do not relate to the enhancement or preservation of external appearance of the building or the residential estate.

• These changes clarify and reinstate the original intention of the 2010 changes and are now in effect.

QBCC Complaints • For some time, industry associations and persons making complaints to the QBCC have been raising the issue that they are unable to be advised of the outcome of their complaint.

• These circumstances have led to the need for a person to submit a ‘Right to Information’ application in order to obtain information.

• These amendments address and rectify this situation and enable certain information to be shared with the complainant.

Combustible Cladding • The amendments include the ability for the QBCC or Local Government to undertake enforcement action in relation to breaches or offenses of ‘Combustible Cladding Checklist’ process.

• Enforcement action includes infringement notice or court proceedings.

• The Checklist process was established in 2018 to require the selfassessment of buildings for combustible cladding.

QBCC Head Contractor Exemptions • The QBCC Act includes a list of exemptions from the requirement to hold a QBCC licence.

• One of the exemptions is for head contractors. This exemption has been amended so that the government can declare work as ‘high-risk work’ and then this exemption will no longer apply. Meaning that it will in fact require the head contractor to hold a licence.

Other Minor Amendments These include: • Enforcement notices under the Planning Act. • Failure to make decision under the Building Act. • Information sharing between Government statutory bodies.

For more information or to access the newsflash, visit www.epw.qld.gov.au.

Article written by Glen Chatterton (Manager, Industry Engagement and Strategic Projects - Services Trades College)

Expansion of Greywater • The changes allow treated greywater to be used in cooling towers for air conditioning that serve large building developments.

• They also enable treated water to be used for other purposes, including flushing toilets.

• All existing licensing requirements remain in place.

Holding Tanks • This amendment enables an owner of a premises, under a Local Government permit, to discharge untreated waste and water from a toilet, soil fixture, or greywater into a holding tank for collection and disposal off-site (e.g., for the use of temporary toilets).

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

11

TECHNICAL

Heard About

Hydrogen?

12

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

TECHNICAL If there was a buzzword in the industry right now it would be hydrogen! Everyone’s talking about hydrogen, but nobody really knows much about it!

We are currently in the midst of a climate crisis. We have an overloaded power grid, the cost of energy is soaring, the cost of living is the highest it’s been in 20 years, interest rates are on the rise, and it can’t all be blamed on the pandemic.

Short-sighted governments and a lack of investment in future fuels has played its part. It’s fair to say, times are somewhat tough.

We are all feeling it in our pockets, whether it’s the electric bill at home, the gas bill, or the cost of filling up the car. It’s not all doom and gloom though, as QLD pulled off a magnificent victory over the NSW Blues in the 2022 State of Origin Series!

So, coming back to hydrogen. It is hoped that hydrogen can provide a green renewable energy source and contribute toward the net zero target in 2050.

Hydrogen has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint of our planet, providing cleaner forms of energy, and in the long run, the more sustainable green energy we have, the cheaper the price will be for consumers.

Hydrogen being used as a fuel gas will fall in the scope of works for gas fitters.

So why hydrogen?

• The most abundant element in the universe is hydrogen, which makes up about three-quarters of all matter.

• Hydrogen is the tenth most abundant element on Earth.

• Hydrogen is a flammable, gaseous fuel.

• It can be transported like natural gas.

• It burns broadly similar to other flammable gases.

• It has the highest energy density by mass of any chemical fuel.

• It’s non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.

• Hydrogen has been used safely industrially for decades.

• 50 million tonnes are produced worldwide every year.

• It has been safely stored underground since the 1960s.

• Hydrogen gas combustion creates no smoke and best of all no carbon.

It may be a few years off that we start seeing homes in Australia running on 100% hydrogen gas, but we will likely see localised areas or suburbs being trialled and tested.

This is already being rolled out in the UK and Europe with a project named H100 in Fife, Scotland.

UK boiler manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch, Baxi, and Ideal have developed and built 100% hydrogen appliances. These super green appliances are on show in a hydrogen home running on 100% hydrogen gas. This is a real-life house that will promote hydrogen gas combustion and create customer awareness.

The house has a hydronic heating system, a gas stove for cooking and a space heater. These appliances are all running on 100% hydrogen gas.

Closer to home, here in Australia, Rinnai have recently announced their 100% hydrogen continuous flow hot water unit. Other manufacturers will no doubt have appliances in development.

All the big players are getting involved in hydrogen so that’s a great sign of things to come.

Our first experience with hydrogen will likely be a mixture with natural gas. It will be injected into our natural gas network, creating what is known as a blended gas.

Hydrogen gas would be injected creating a blend of up to 13% into parts of the natural gas network.

Quantities above 13% can begin to affect the Wobbe Index of the gas meaning that appliances would need adjustment if higher concentrations of hydrogen were added. Keeping the blend to 13% and below means there would be no adverse effect to existing appliances and consumers would not know the difference. This would lower the carbon production from these appliances by up to 7%. Not a massive gain but every little helps!

When Type A gas appliances go through the approval process, part of the testing involves combustion with blends of hydrogen.

Some Type B gas devices may require some alteration as they operate at finely tuned parameters. Combustion analysis and adjustment may, therefore, be required to ensure efficient combustion on a blended supply. Hydrogen has other uses such as fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are already powering cars made by the likes of Toyota and Hyundai.

There are buses, trains, trucks, and even forklift trucks utilising this energy source. You will soon see garbage trucks around Brisbane powered by hydrogen! Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a welcomed alternative to petrol and diesel guzzling motors. Airbus and Rolls Royce both have projects to utilise hydrogen as a viable option for air travel. You may even know that hydrogen is the fuel of choice for NASA to propel their rockets into space.

There are many ways to create hydrogen, some are greener than others. Currently, most of the worldwide hydrogen production is done by burning fossil fuels. The long-term aim is to produce hydrogen in greener methods that don’t damage the environment. Utilising renewable energy sources to power hydrogen electrolysers is a green way to do this.

Queensland is a very popular choice for hydrogen production, an abundance of space and the beautiful sunshine makes it a great location to harness the energy in the sun to power production.

MPAQ Associate Corporate Supporter Pure Hydrogen is a company focused on providing the best energy solutions for hydrogen and clean energy here in Australia. They have multiple projects here in The Sunshine state with the aim to supply hydrogen fuel to Australia and Asia. As this emerging energy source becomes more accepted by the public and the cost of new technology becomes lower, we believe it will be used in a wide range of applications.

Goldman Sachs have said that green hydrogen is “a once in a generation opportunity: We estimate it could give rise to a €10 trillion (14.8 trillion AUD) addressable market globally by 2050 for the utilities industry alone” With figures in the trillions being talked about, it’s clear to see why everyone’s talking about hydrogen!

Behind the scenes, industry is developing the framework for hydrogen training. Once this training package is released, RTOs (Registered Training Organisations) will develop and deliver courses providing you the skills, knowledge, and technical ability to work with hydrogen.

Licensing requirements have not yet been established but MPAQ has provided initial feedback and we will be consulted as part of the process.

A Hydrogen Safety Code of Practice has been published by the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate – Resources Safety & Health Queensland. You can find more information at www.rshq.qld.gov.au.

Further information can also be found at: • Pure Hydrogen – www.purehydrogen.com.au • UK Hydrogen house and hydrogen appliances – www.hydeploy.co.uk For more information contact the Technical Team at MPAQ. Article written by Stuart McConnell – Technical Officer, MPAQ.

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

13

APPRENTICES

D E N H A T L S N I N E S E R U E Q TAFE ORE PLUMB OLD COAST PUTS ME FOR THE G N I L E P I P

er. It’s the new plumbing tow in g in in tra t ar st to d te ning “I’m exci me equipment and lear sa e th g in us be l I’l d purpose-built an when I’m out on jobs” ed ne l I’l at th s ill sk d ar the industry-stand r plumbing mer Hodge, second yea Sum Plumbing services. apprentice, McKenzie’s

Training the Gold Coast’s future plumbers has started with the new $6.1 million plumbing tower at TAFE Queensland’s Trade Training Centre in Ashmore now flowing with apprentices.

TAFE Queensland’s General Manager on the Gold Coast, Karen Dickinson said the state-of-the-art facility is exactly what industry needs to help train the future skilled workers in the region.

“There is great demand for more skilled workers in trades and here on the Gold Coast we are experiencing significant growth, while also dealing with worker shortages,” said Ms Dickinson.

“Training more tradespeople in new and industry standard facilities is critical to help facilitate that growth.

The new three-storey plumbing tower includes approximately 1000m2 of practical teaching areas and will double the plumbing training capacity with a more useable and flexible space.

Ms Dickinson said the new tower demonstrates TAFE Queensland’s commitment to creating a highly skilled future workforce for the region.

“Our Trade Training Centre is the largest trade training facility in the region, and the new tower will support almost 800 students currently enrolled in

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plumbing at the campus while supporting increased enrolments – ensuring we have a bigger pipeline of qualified plumbers coming into the industry,” she said.

“The tower has been designed in consultation with industry to enhance the overall experience for plumbing students as it is important our apprentices are training in modern facilities that offer real learning experiences and prepare them for life on the job.”

A proud Bigambul woman, Summer Hodge is a second-year plumbing apprentice employed by local Gold Coast employer, McKenzie’s Plumbing Services.

The former accountant gave up her career to start a family and now, after raising three children, Summer is following her passion and will complete her Certificate III in Plumbing at the new training facility.

“I’m excited to start training in the new plumbing tower. It’s purpose-built and I’ll be using the same equipment and learning the industry-standard skills that I’ll need when I’m out on jobs,” Summer said.

“I may soon be the only CPA (Chartered Accountant) on the Gold Coast with a plumbing trade qualification – how cool is that?”

For more information visit www.tafeqld.edu.au.

Article provided by TAFE Queensland

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MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

15

HR

INDEPENDENT PANEL TO DRIVE ETHICAL PROCUREMENT Australia’s first independent panel, the ‘Tripartite Procurement Advisory Panel’ (The Panel), which will provide advice on ethical procurement for government suppliers in Queensland, has appointed the Board of the Panel.

The Panel will provide government agencies with advice regarding procurement, contracts, audits, and investigations in Queensland as part of the ‘Buy Queensland’ approach to procurement.

The Ethical Supplier Threshold and Mandate Policies are integral parts of the ‘Buy Queensland’ approach to ensure: • Businesses uphold their social, economic, and environmental commitments made in tenders and contracts or required by policies or laws.

• Suppliers are treated fairly and not exposed to undercutting and unjust competition.

• Queensland workplaces are fairer and safer.

• There is a drive to positive behavioural change and not to punish accidents or honest mistakes.

• Taxpayers’ money is used to build the local economy and support quality Queensland jobs.

The Board members for the Panel include: • Mr John Thompson (Chair) – 20 years as a Queensland Industrial Relations commissioner, • Ms Jennifer McVeigh (Deputy Chair) – Member of QCAT, partner in construction law firm and Associate Professor at QUT • Mr Jorgen Gullestrup – Former Chief Executive Officer of MATES in Construction.

• Mr John Shenfield – 45 years at a senior level as a director for a listed company.

• Mr Jason Stein – Specialist Industrial Relations practitioner and experienced business manager with more than 41 years’ experience.

• Mr Thomas Campbell – Qualified industrial and commercial electrician with more than 14 years’ experience.

• Mr Graham Moloney – More than 33 years with the General Teachers Union.

• Mr John Crittall – Senior executive and board member with extensive experience in board and corporate governance, financial management, strategic risk management, compliance and project management.

• Mr Stephan Nance – 39 years working with CEOs, Directors, Managers, Supervisors and Employees to improve workplaces and working relationships.

• Ms Angela Liebke – Experienced in employment law, industrial relations, and provided high level strategic advice regarding one of the largest construction contractors in Australia.

• Mr Shane Kennelly – More than 20 years in senior executive positions.

• Ms Elizabeth Milner – Director with significant experience in the building and construction, manufacturing and distribution and legal industries.

For any questions, please contact our HR team on 07 3273 0800.

Article written by Emma Ross, HR Advisor and Office Coordinator, MPAQ.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

WHICH WORKPLACE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES ARE NOTIFIABLE? With October being Safe Work Month, this is a question that the MPAQ HR team are asked on a regular basis.

What is a workplace notifiable injury or illness under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (QLD)?

A work-related death, serious injury or illness, or a dangerous incident must be notified to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHS QLD) immediately. Notifiable incidents could involve hospitalisation or require immediate attention for serious injuries, burns, lacerations, eye damage, spinal damage, amputation or degloving, or loss of bodily function.

Immediate treatment means the kind of urgent treatment needed for a serious injury or illness and includes treatment by a registered medical practitioner, nurse, or paramedic.

You must also notify WHS (QLD) for any serious illnesses where work is a significant contributing factor, such as zoonotic diseases contracted while handling animals, animal hides, skins, wool or hair, animal carcasses, or animal waste products.

Some types of work-related, dangerous incidents must be notified even if no one is injured.

These are near miss incidents that could have exposed a worker to a serious risk, such as the collapse of a scaffold at night, an uncontrolled explosion or fine where no one is hurt, the collapse or failure of an excavation, or the shoring supporting an excavation where no one is hurt, as well as the rollover of registrable plant.

Here are some examples of a notifiable injury: • A circular saw operator severs a finger and is treated at the emergency department but not admitted to hospital. This is notifiable as a serious injury requiring immediate treatment for an amputation.

• A worker fell from a ladder and suffers a deep laceration exposing bone, tendons and muscle, requiring 30 stitches at the emergency department. While not admitted to hospital this is notifiable as a serious injury requiring immediate treatment for a serious laceration.

It is an offence to fail to notify immediately after becoming aware that a notifiable incident has occurred, and records need to be kept of these incidents for five years. Work Health and Safety inspectors are currently auditing businesses for compliance with incident notification requirements and contraventions will result in enforcement action, including notices being issued.

If you are unsure whether you need to notify WHS (QLD) of an incident or injury, visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/incidents-and-notifications or contact the MPAQ HR team on 07 3273 0800.

Mandatory QBCC Reporting It is also a requirement that contractors notify QBCC when there in an incident.

Fatalities and serious injuries on building sites have heightened the need for licensees to notify the QBCC quickly of safety incidents on-site. If you don’t tell them about safety incidents straight away, they can’t do the enquiries needed, making it harder for them to reduce unsafe work practices. If you are a licensee looking after a building site or on a site carrying out work, you must notify the QBCC of a notifiable incident immediately. You may be subject to enforcement action if you don’t notify them.

A notifiable incident is either: • when someone dies or suffers serious illness or injury; or • an incident that exposes a person to a risk of serious injury or illness.

A serious injury or illness requires the person to have either: • immediate treatment as an inpatient in a hospital; • immediate treatment for the amputation of a body part, serious head injury, serious eye injury, serious burns, separation of skin from underlying tissue, spinal injury, loss of a bodily function, or serious lacerations; or • medical treatment within 48 hours of exposure to a substance.

Who must report a safety incident?

A QBCC licensee who is in control of, or carrying out building work on a building site, must notify the QBCC if either: • a notifiable incident occurs on the site; or • a person on any site where they are carrying out building work fails to comply with a notice or injunction issued under the either the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Part 10) or Electrical Safety Act 2002 (Part 11A).

If the QBCC licensee on site is a company, an officeholder or senior employee must notify the QBCC on the company’s behalf.

Visit www.qbcc.qld.gov.au/complaints-disputes/report-safety-issue-incident or call MPAQ on 07 3273 0800 for more information.

Article written by Kym Campbell, Senior Human Resources Advisor, MPAQ.

WHY WAIT FOR HOT WATER?

These ruggedly engineered compact water heaters from Aus J Hot Water Solutions inexpensively solve the annoying problem having to wait ages for hot water to arrive at a tap from faraway main water heaters.

Aqueous six and 10-litre hot water systems provide domestic, commercial, hospitality and industrial users with near-instant hot water while saving time, energy, water and frustration from water going cold in dead-end pipes.

Costing a fraction of some alternative instant hot water solutions with price tags of $A2000 to $A3000, Aqueous MK2 heaters have an RRP of just $A350* from www.ausj.com.au, which has sold more than 30,000 of its different compact water heaters worldwide.

When these 6 & 10-litre Aqueous cost just $350 RRP*

Savings and sustainability are ongoing, because the Aqueous curbs wastage of both water and energy by having the heater floor or wall-mounted under the sink, in an adjacent cupboard, or under the floor close to the point of use. Safety and cleanliness is assured with by all-electric operation.

Compact design means Aqueous suits uses from domestic to point-of-use applications in offices and factories for hand and small equipment washing to maintain hygienic production and OH&S practices to prevent Covid. Duoetto 12V/240V models are available for mobile uses.

*Wholesale distributor rates negotiable

0419 993 042 sales@ausj.com.au www.ausj.com.au MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

17

PRODUCT NEWS

TIRED OF THE TEDIOUS WAIT FOR HOT WATER?

HERE’S AN INEXPENSIVE OPTION FOR QLD HOMES AND WORKPLACES A ruggedly engineered compact water heater from Aus J Hot Water Solutions inexpensively solves the annoying problem of homeowners having to wait ages for hot water to arrive at a tap from faraway main water heaters. The latest Aqueous six and ten-litre hot water systems are designed to provide domestic, commercial, hospitality, and industrial users with near-instant hot water while saving time, energy, water, and frustration.

Costing a fraction of some alternative instant hot water solutions with price tags of $2,000-$3,000, the Aqueous MK2 is available at a RRP of just $350 from www.ausj.com.au, which has sold more than 30,000 of its different compact water heaters worldwide.

Aqueous users Ross and Hilde James – “Before we got the Aqueous, we used to have to wait a whole minute for hot water to do a 10-second job,” says Ross” “We looked at an instant hot water heater for about $3,000, but the Aqueous was better suited to the purpose and a fraction of the price.

JETTER BREAKTHROUGH...

STAINLESS STEEL REEL DEAL Australian Pumps’ launch of their “Aussie Jetter Revolution”, the use of high-pressure water equipment to clear blocked drains has been a huge success.

Aussie’s drive, based on their unique Aussie Cobra Cube design has allowed plumbers across the country to dispense with old mechanical electric style devices and use high pressure water, generated by an engine drive piston pump, to drive high pressure nozzles and lightweight jetting hoses to clear chokes in pipes from sewer lines and storm water drains!

Australian Pumps unique Cube Cobra design 5,000 psi rated stainless steel reel adds a new dimension to Aussie’s existing stainless steel Cobra design.

“We have been using conventional high-pressure reels for the last 20 years that are black powder coated steel” said Aussie Pumps Production Manager, Mal Patel. “The new stainless-steel reel carries exactly the same load in terms of high-pressure hose, between 60 and 100 metres of ¼” or 5/16” jetter hose but has the advantage of not only looking smarter but never looking tired, with paint chipped and rust marks” he said.

“We trialled the stainless-steel reels over the last three months and whenever plumbers have seen them, they have been surprised that they can get an enhancement like this for very little extra when buying a new jetter.

Aussie will start moving to production lines of jetters with stainless steel reels in the very near future. They will certainly be on the market weeks before the 30 June” said Patel.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

“Savings are ongoing, because the Aqueous curbs wastage of both water and energy by having the heater floor or wall-mounted under the sink, in an adjacent cupboard, or under the floor close to the point of use,” says Aus J Hot Water Solutions Managing Director Mr Jay King. The Aqueous MK2 comes with Australian WaterMark accreditation, which means that it passed extensive tests and requirements regarding its suitability for safely supplying water for human consumption.

Domestic, industrial, and commercial building owners throughout Queensland and Australia typically waste a lot of time, water, and energy when turning on the hot tap and waiting for hot water to arrive from remotely located big tanks, which can be five or more metres away. This is wasteful of energy and water – not to mention frustrating when users must wait ages to serve up water needed for regular daily tasks such as washing and cooking,” said Mr King.

The Aqueous MK2 can also be used in several mobile and recreational and work vehicle applications. Features of the product include: • Durable outer case with service and inspection points • SPCC (high commercial quality) steel and enamel tanks • Single weld line for extended life. Single line welding offers optimum protection for pressure vessels • Inlet/outlet tubes welding inside and out for durability, as well as both being enameled • Polyurethane insulation for high-efficiency heat retention • Thermal cutout and run-dry protection for safety • Combination pressure relief valve and non-return valve • Incoloy 840 heating element for rapid heating and energy efficiency • Floor or wall-mounted operation • Suitable for under-sink use, as well as caravan, recreational vehicle, horse float, food vans and similar Visit www.ausj.com.au for more information.

Aussie Pumps warehouse supervisor Ruby admires the new stainless-steel reel fitted up with stainless ball valve and 60m of Aussie Red Flex drain cleaning hose.

Kits are available to replace existing steel painted reels with a stainless kit as available as bare reel or reel complete with hose already fitted ready to go to work.

Further information is available from Australian Pump Industries, Aussie Cobra Jetter Division, or visit www.aussiepumps.com.au.

Plumbers love ‘em

PRODUCT NEWS

OPTIMISE YOUR INSPECTIONS WITH THE RIDGID® SEESNAKE® MICROREEL™ APX™ WITH TRUSENSE® TECHNOLOGY With a lightweight, compact profile for easy portability. APX camera functionality provides bright LED lights and auto-flip imagery, ensuring clear, upright images. Paired with TruSense® technology, this tool delivers the industry’s best in-pipe image.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 12.7 lb (5.8kg) Length: 13.3” (337mm) Width: 8.8” (224mm)) Height: 16.2” (411mm) Drum Diameter: 12” (305mm) Camera Diameter: 1” (25mm) Type: Fixed Resolution: 640 x 480 Line Capacity: 1.5” – 4” (38mm – 101mm) Push Cable Length: 100’ (30m) Diameter: 0.27” (6.7mm) Minimum Bend Radius: 2.5” (64mm) Sonde: 512Hz, Integrated View full product details here: www.ridgid.com.au

• APX offers bright LEDs with high colour accuracy and auto-flip imagery – delivering crisp, detailed images and ensuring upright viewing angles in a variety of pipe conditions.

• TruSense® technology offers high dynamic range (HDR) imaging and the TiltSense™ inclinometer – delivering valuable in-pipe information.

• Compact and lightweight profile ensures effortless portability.

• Built-in kickstand offers infield versatility with multiple configurations for optimal operation.

RINNAI AUSTRALIA UNVEIL NEW REVOLUTIONARY RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES Today, as part of the ‘Rinnai Global Innovation Manifesto’ announced in November 2021, which seeks to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, Rinnai Australia unveiled two new renewable product technologies designed to support Australia’s clean energy mix future.

In a world first – Rinnai Japan has successfully developed a Continuous Flow hot water system for the domestic market which uses 100% hydrogen combustion technology and features zero carbon emissions in a way that also addresses the issues of “explosion risk” and provides “combustion stability” typically associated with hydrogen fuel usage.

In line with the announcement, as initial steps are being taken across the Australia market with a view to potentially using 100% hydrogen as a residential energy source, Rinnai plans to start demonstration testing in October 2022 in South Australia and Victoria to help drive the consideration of H2 as a part of the Australian energy mix future.

In addition, Rinnai also showcased its new Geoflo Hybrid 22 geothermal and inverter hybrid system, fully designed and manufactured in Australia.

The Geoflo Hybrid 22 geothermal system utilises the latest Rinnai technology to harness abundant free renewable underground energy to deliver superior energy efficiency

heating and cooling all year round whilst also diverting surplus energy to the generation of essentially free hot water to the home.

Easy-to install, the system also delivers significant energy savings versus conventional heat pump and hot water systems saving the average household up to 50% per year in energy costs.

These two new key innovative product developments will feature as part of Rinnai’s rapidly growing renewable energy product portfolio which already includes Solar Hot Water and high COP Heat Pump systems that are already widely used across Australian homes to deliver highly energy efficient and sustainable appliance solutions.

Managing Director of Rinnai Australia, Greg Ellis said, “Today marks a significant milestone in Australia’s shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy mix future, as Rinnai delivers a real solution, not a fanciful promise. The advancements seen here firmly define Rinnai’s ambitions and commitment to work to provide commercial and domestic appliances that not only support the requirements of a changing energy future, but importantly, deliver the trusted reliability and performance that the market expects from the Rinnai brand.”

For more information visit www.rinnai.com.au

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

19

CASE STUDY STAR CASINO GOLD COAST

CHALLENGE The Star Casino were looking to upgrade their laundry and kitchen facilities hot water and pool heating system to a more environmentally sustainable platform.

HOT WATER SOLUTION In a collaborative effort between the casino project team, Aurecon Engineers and D&E Contracting, Rheem Commercial Water Heating and Rheem Thermal Systems Group engineered a Water to Water (W2W) hot water and pool heating

package that worked off the existing chilled water condenser loop.

The Hot Water Plant consists of:

Using the 35°C condenser loop water as the energy source meant that the plant worked at ultra-high efficiency, producing an average hot water COP of around 7.

• 8 x Rheem 9540350S W2W hot water heat pumps stacked 2 high

Rheem and Rheem Thermal worked closely with each of the parties providing guidance and technical expertise in relation to hot water requirements and design criteria, pool heating requirements and W2W heat pump technology to produce an outcome that worked smoothly so the casino was never out of hot water.

COMES ON STEADY, HOT AND STRONG

www.rheem.com.au I Rheem Commercial Sales call 132 552 I Rheem Service call 131 031

• 3 x RT1000 storage tanks • 1 x TPE08NBDR138 Tankpak as back up

The Pool Heating Plant consists of: • 1 x RTWW128 pool heat pump

INSTALL A

Rheem has enough commercial hot water solutions to fill a stadium.

Whether it’s a world class stadium, 5 star hotel, 80 storey skyscrapers, office blocks, hospitals, schools or resorts, they can all rely on Rheem commercial hot water. That’s because Rheem offers Australia’s largest range of customisable hot water solutions. Everything from highly efficient continuous flow, the latest renewable solutions including commercial solar and heat pumps, heat exchangers through to heavy duty gas, electric, commercial storage tanks and Tankpaks.

So to find a Rheem commercial hot water solution to suit your needs, big or small, visit: rheem.com.au

COMES ON STEADY, HOT AND STRONG

INSTALL A

AUSTRALIA’S NO. 1

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

Worker fatalities by mechanism of incident

Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. No job should be unsafe, and no death or injury is acceptable.

A safe and healthy workplace benefits everyone.

This is why, during October each year, Safe Work Australia asks businesses, employers and workers across Australia to join National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.

Key Work Health and Safety Statistics, Australia 2021 provides an overview of the latest national data on work-related fatalities and workers’ compensation claims. Here are some of the key statistics they released in their publication.

Mechanism of incident

Number of fatalities

% of fatalities

Vehicle collision*

80

41%

Being hit by moving objects

25

13%

Falls from a height

22

11%

Being hit by falling objects

17

9%

Being trapped by moving machinery

13

7%

Being trapped between stationary and moving objects

11

6%

Other mechanisms

26

13%

Total

194

100%

*vehicle collisions include fatalities that occurred as a direct result of a vehicle crash.

Vehicles include not only road vehicles such as cars and trucks, but also machines such as aircraft, boats, loaders, tractors and quad bikes.

Trends in worker fatalities 2003-2020

Fatalities by gender

Australia’s fatality rate

decreased 50% from the peak in 2007

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

Total Number of fatalities

8

186 194

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY Top 3 industries with work fatalaties

Worker fatalities by age group

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing

Transport, postal, & warehousing

Construction

13.1

7.8

3.1

fatalities per 100,000 workers

fatalities per 100,000 workers

fatalities per 100,000 workers

Age group (years)

Number of fatalities

Under 25

8

25-34

30

35-44

34

45-54

36

55-64

55

65 and over

31

Worker fatalities by state/ territory

6 29

fatalities (2.1 per 100,000 workers)

fatalities (4.6 per 100,000 workers)

11

fatalities (1.3 per 100,000 workers)

34

fatalities (1.4 per 100,000 workers)

53

fatalities (1.3 per 100,000 workers)

2

51

fatalities (0.8 per 100,000 workers)

fatalities (1.5 per 100,000 workers)

8

Worker fatalities by occupation Occupation

Number of fatalities

Fatality rate (fatalities per 100,000 workers)

Machinery operators and drivers

67

8.4

Labourers

41

3.5

Managers

35

2.2

Technicians and trades workers

26

1.5

Community and personal service workers

11

0.8

Professionals

11

0.3

Sales workers

2

0.2

Clerical and administrative workers

1

0.2

Total

194

1.5

fatalities (3.2 per 100,000 workers)

Source: Key work health and safety statistics, Australia 2021 | Safe Work Australia MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

23

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY It is important to note the potential dangers in your environment to avoid workplace injuries and incidents. In recognition of Safe Work Month, here are 10 top tips you should know about having a safe workplace.

Building, re-building Building, re-buildingor or renovating: renovating: How to to make home How makeyour yourhouse house aahome Whicheveryour yourapproach, approach, make you connect natural gas gas Whichever makesure sure you connect natural to your dream project to turn it into your dream home. to your dream project to turn it into your dream home.

Connecting to gas is simple. Start by contacting our

Connecting to gas is simple. Start by contacting our Customer Service Team on 1300 001 001 (M-F, 8am-5pm), Customer Team on 1300 001 001 (M-F, 8am-5pm), and you Service can: and- Check you can: if natural gas is available to your address - Check natural gasnext is available to your address - Find if out about the steps to connect - Askout general questions about gastoand how it fits with your - Find about the next steps connect project our team is local and has the to your - Ask general questions about gas andright howknow-how it fits with provide you with expert advice project - our team is local and has the right know-how to provide you with expert advice You can also email connectionsqld@apa.com.au YouWe’re can also email here to makeconnectionsqld@apa.com.au it as easy as possible for homes right

around the country to connect to natural gas. It’s as simple as We’rethat. here to make it as easy as possible for homes right

around the country to connect to natural gas. It’s as simple as that.

24

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

1. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS It is important to always be aware of what is going on around you at all times. This is important because distractions can cause injuries. When you’re in an area with hazards or an ongoing job, be extra careful of the path and the things around you. It’s often best to turn off your mobile phone so that you aren’t distracted by texts or calls. Also, make sure tools and machinery are not moving before you go near them and watch out for the work-in-progress signs before you step into an area.

2. REPORT ANY UNSAFE CONDITIONS Fix any unsafe conditions or workplace hazards as soon as you notice them. If it is dangerous for you to remove the risk, notify a supervisor right away.

3. KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE CLEAR FROM CLUTTER Having a clean workspace will positively impact your job satisfaction and keep you and your co-workers free from danger. You could trip and fall over scattered objects and they could hide another hazard you cannot see.

4. TAKE REGULAR BREAKS Look away from your computer screen regularly to avoid eye strain. Taking regular breaks allows your body an opportunity to rest from the tasks you are doing. When you return, you will be more focused and have a higher level of concentration.

5. NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS Procedures exist to keep workers safe. Though skipping a step or not wearing safety gear may save you time, it isn’t worth getting injured over. Use every tool and machine according to the instructions.

6. PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE WHEN SITTING OR LIFTING Use ergonomic desks and keyboards to avoid straining your wrists and arms. Sit up straight, keep your shoulders in line with your hips and lift with your legs when you are moving objects. Poor posture can cause strain on your back, neck and shoulders, which can lead to serious injury.

10

TOP TIPS 7. STAY HYDRATED

Drink enough water to remain alert and avoid dehydration. Even in the winter, it is essential to stay hydrated with water and warm liquids to prevent light headedness and lack of focus.

8. WEAR ALL NECESSARY SAFETY GEAR Always wear the necessary safety equipment. The proper safety gear in your workplace could be reflective gear, fire-retardant clothing, industrial workwear, or something as simple as nonslip shoes.

Be sure to always wear a breathing mask if your space has debris or dust, or if you have to deal with toxic or dangerous chemicals or fumes.

9. USE TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINERY PROPERLY Proper use of tools and machinery can prevent injuries. Only operate machines you are trained or certified to use and ensure that they are cleaned and maintained regularly. You should always use machines and equipment for their intended purposes. Use equipment such as a wheelbarrow or a forklift to help you lift and move heavy items to prevent straining or injuring yourself.

10. CONDUCT REGULAR SAFETY AUDITS Regular safety audits and site inspections can unveil much more than safety violations at your workplace.

It can pave way for a culture where employee safety is given utmost priority. Including the right questions in your checklists will ensure you don’t miss any violations and also attain compliance.

Article Sources: • https://www.safetymint.com/blog/top-10-workplacesafety-tips/ • https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/workplacesafety-tips • https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/resourcesand-publications/ statistical-reports/key-work-health-and-safety-statisticsaustralia-2021

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

25

WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY

UPSKILL YOUR WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY KNOWLEDGE WITH THESE ONLINE COURSES As part of Safe Work Month, it is important to remind your employees about the importance of workplace health and safety.

Did you know that MPAQ offer a range of FREE online core skills courses for you and your employees to complete? These courses are fully subsidised, for businesses that have less than 20 employees. The online training has a range of core skills courses, designed to support situational awareness and enhance an individual’s ability to get a job done. They cover a wide variety of skills across workplace health and safety, business administration, personal development and teamwork.

As part of your company’s safety awareness your employees should complete the workplace health and safety courses during Safe Work Month.

Each course takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and you receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

The courses cover the following areas: Workplace Health and Safety courses: • Fire Safety • Manual handling • Office Ergonomics • Risk Management • Silica Dust Awareness

• Working in hot and cold environments • Asbestos Awareness Business Administration courses: • Cyber Security Awareness • Social Media Etiquette • Basic Estimating and Calculating at Work • Using Digital Technology in the Workplace • Basic Workplace Mathematics • Writing Basic Workplace Documents Personal Development courses: • Self Development • Preparing For Learning at Work • Participate in a Learning Environment • Use Basic Reading and Writing Skills at Work Working in a Team courses: • How to Respond to Problems in the Workplace • Interact Effectively in the Workplace • Teamwork • Communicating in a professional environment For more information and to sign up for these FREE online courses, visit https://mpaq.com.au/training/courses/core -skills-courses Contact MPAQ Training on 07 3273 0800 or email training@mpaq.com.au for further information.

WORK WELL 365 – SAFER, HEALTHIER WORKPLACES FOR EVERYONE, EVERY DAY! For many years, workplaces around the state have put extra focus on safety during October, to recognise National Safe Work Month.

However, in 2022, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) is upping the ante. This year WHSQ will continue the tradition and still celebrate Safe Work Month in October, but under the new Work Well 365 banner, who are encouraging ‘safer, healthier workplaces for everyone, every day’.

Why? Because safer, healthier workplaces are for everyone, every day.

Working well all year round means ensuring workplaces are healthy and safe, and if a worker is injured, they receive the best possible support to return to work.

From now until the end of the year, businesses can invest in their most valued assets, their workers, by getting involved in events that provide practical advice to immediately start improving health and safety, or injury rehabilitation and return to work outcomes in the workplace.

Julie and Don Sager are safety advocates. At the age of 25, their son Adam died from mesothelioma (an asbestos related disease). Tragically, Adam was unknowingly exposed to asbestos dust when he was 18 months old. Now Julie and Don visit businesses across the state to educate people about Workplace Health and Safety the risk of exposure to asbestos.

Queensland Safety Advocates “Before you disturb any Don and Julie Sager building material, especially in

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

homes built before 1990, check whether it is likely to contain asbestos,” said Julie Sager.

“We couldn’t save Adam’s life, but we hope you can save your child’s life.”

The Sagers can come to your workplace and share their story, encouraging workers to make asbestos and general workplace safety a priority, and to highlight the personal impacts that an incident can have on workers and their families.

Other highlights on the WHSQ calendar for the rest of 2022 include Work Well Conference and Breakfast Forums and the free Work Well 365 Speaker Series events.

Work Well Breakfast Forums • 22 September – Rockhampton • 2 November – Mackay Work Well Conference • 24 October – Brisbane Work Well 365 Speaker Series – • 15 September – 11am – 12pm – Can you afford not to be using technology to manage work health and safety and injury recovery? – Greg Toner • 18 October – 2-3pm – How effective workplace consultation, representation and participation can improve your health and safety outcomes – Jodie Deakes and guest industry panel • 25 October – 10-11am – Rehabilitation and return to work plans for psychological injuries – Julia Bunn Visit www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/resources/campaigns/safe-workmonth-2022 to register.

PRODUCT NEWS

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We’ve been the Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland’s partner for almost 15 years, so well qualified to review your risk and insurance exposures and provide a tailored program to suit your business’s needs.

Austbrokers Comsure’s dedicated team of insurance advisers can provide you with a complete insurance solution, including: • Public & products liability • Professional indemnity • Business interruption • Contractual liability • Management liability • Tools of trade/general property • Commercial motor vehicles

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SOCIAL

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

SOCIAL

#MPAQ

Want to feature on the MPAQ Social page? Use our hashtag on Instagram so we can see what you’re up to!

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

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EVENTS & TRAINING

OCTOBER

Key Backflow Prevention

CPCPWT4022 - Commission & Maintain Backflow Prevention Devices

1

Saturday

2

School Holidays

Sunday

TMV

CPCPWT4023 - Commission and Maintain Hot and Heated Water Temperature Control Devices

3

Public Holiday: Queen’s Birthday

Monday

Service Type A Gas Appliances

CPCPGS4022 - Service Type A Gas Appliances

4

School Term 4 Commences

Tuesday

Design & Size Consumer Gas Installations

CPCPGS4011 - Design and Size Consumer Gas Installations

Carry Out Work-Based Risk Control Processes

CPCPCM4011 - Carry out Work-Based Risk Control Processes

STC Forum Carry out Work Based Rockhampton Risk Control Processes 6 COurse Brisbane

5

Friday

8

Saturday

9

Sunday Monday

Trai n i ng

Backflow

11 PREVENTION 12

Tuesday

Brisbane

Wednesday

Course 13 TMV Brisbane

Thursday

14 Plumbing & Gas Industry Awards

H y d r o c ov e P l u m b i n g Brisbane South Industry Golf Day

M i l l a r ’s P l u m b i n g S e r v i c e s a n d Hughes Plumbing Contractors W PA M i x a n d M i n g l e

JCD Plumbing Rockhampton Industry Golf Day

Friday

15

Saturday

16

Sunday

Course 17 TMV Townsville

Monday

18

Tuesday

Course 19 TMV Mackay G r a c e m e re P l u m b i n g M a i n t e n a n c e a n d Ay m r o o Rockhampton Industry Golf Day

Wednesday

20

Thursday

TMV Course 21 Rockhampton

Friday

22

Saturday

23

Sunday

24

Monday

25 26

Service Type ‘A’ Gas

Licence Course

Tuesday

TMV Course Bundaberg

Wednesday

27

Thursday

28 B r i s b a n e

Rivercit y Maintenance S e r v i c e s - W PA M i x a n d Mingle

30

S h a w ’s P l u m b i n g a n d G a s - Brisbane South Industry Golf Day

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Winter 2022

Thursday

7

10

Paul Bonehill and Bob K i m l i n - C a i r n s Tr a d e E x p o

Wed.

Brisbane North Plumbing & Gas Industry Golf Day

Friday

29

Saturday

30

Sunday

31

T r a i n i n g

Monday

EVENTS & TRAINING

NOVEMBER 1

Backflow PREVENTION

2 3

DECEMBER

Women’s Plumbing Alliance Melbourne Cup Luncheon

Tuesday

1

Sunshine Coast

Wednesday

2

TMV Course Sunshine Coast

Thursday

3

Saturday

4

Friday

4

Sunday

5

Saturday

5

6

Sunday

6

Monday

7

Tuesday

8

Wednesday

9

7

T r a i n i n g

8

Backflow PREVENTION

9

Gold Coast

Course 10 TMV Gold Coast

Thursday

10

11

Friday

11

12

Saturday

12

13

Sunday

14 15

Design and size COnsumer Gas Installations COurse

16

Brisbane

First Day of Summer MPAQ Membership Meeting|Online

Service Type ‘A’ Gas

Licence Course

Thursday Friday

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Brisbane School Holidays Commence

Friday Saturday Sunday

T r a i n i n g

Backflow

13 PREVENTION Brisbane

Monday

14

Tuesday

Course 15 TMV Brisbane

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Wednesday

16

Friday

Thursday

17

Saturday

Friday

18

Sunday

19

Saturday

19

Monday

20

Sunday

20

Tuesday

21

Monday

21

Wednesday

Tuesday

22

Thursday

Wednesday

23

Friday

Thursday

24

Saturday

Friday

25

26

Saturday

26

Monday

27

Sunday

27

Tuesday

28

Monday

28

Tuesday

29

Wednesday

30

17 International Men’s Day Charity Trivia Night|Brisbane

18

22

T r a i n i n g

Backflow

23 PREVENTION 24

Brisbane

Course 25 TMV Brisbane

29 30

Annual General Meeting Brisbane

31

Public Holidays

VISIT MPAQ.COM.AU FOR EVENTS AND TRAINING INFORMATION

Sunday

BUSINESS

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

VALE

Eunice and Jim

Eunice Joy Wyllie December 1922 – July 2022

John McConaghie 9 April 1940 – 30 May 2022 John McConaghie was no more and no less remarkable than the next man—or so he thought. He considered himself an ordinary bloke. But there were times when, from his son’s point of view, he was just a bit more than that, times when he was extraordinary. As it should be.

I think that most people who knew him would consider John, (Johnny Mack, JB, or Macka), an interesting fellow. The eldest of five children born to Joe and Marion McConaghie, he left school at 14 to become an apprentice plumber, rising to plumbing works foreman before leaving to start his own business in the late 1960s.

John joined Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) in April 1991. Bob Kimlin said that when he first met him, John had said that MPAQ was a great support to him in his business life. He was coerced into joining by the late Bob Gospher, of Gospher Gophers, and he was ever so grateful in taking up Mr Gospher.

“When I was on a President’s tour with the then MPAQ Executive Director, Adrian Hart, John was Chairman of the Cairns division. He was such a particular and caring guy that he wouldn’t leave us in the Cairns area until we were safely back at our hotel as he was the driver. Then John had to drive an hour and a half back to his home in Atherton at some late time of the night.

That’s just the way John was: always looking after everybody,” Bob Kimlin said.

It’s fair to say, John was no entrepreneur, but he ran his business for forty years his way, and the range of work coming out of that little shed on Herberton Road was pretty impressive. He was also generous with his equally impressive knowledge, which he would pass on to anyone who was interested.

Everything from repaired kettles to full scale irrigation and mining plants rolled out of that workshop and those jobs remain as his legacy across north Queensland and beyond. Everything had to be neat but not gaudy and engineered beyond the point of basic requirement.

If the job demanded four bolts, well you got six. Perhaps this was in keeping with his Irish heritage – to be sure, to be sure. I think it was because John was simply a perfectionist.

Whilst not a great businessman, John was a great tradesman with great principles. He came from a time when a man’s word was his bond and lifetime relationships were sealed on a handshake. John loved his wife and family, and they certainly look back on times together with great fondness.

In the end, John was just a red dirt boy, who married a red dirt girl, and made a life in the red dirt town.

The Association extends sympathy to John’s family.

Only more senior MPAQ members would be aware of JR Wyllie & Sons Pty Ltd of the Brisbane suburb of Albion. In their heyday they were the largest plumbing contractors in the southern hemisphere employing up to 350 staff with branches and depots throughout Queensland, Northern Territory and New Guinea.

James Ross Wyllie began his plumbing career as an apprentice in 1875 to Hiram Wakefield, our Founding President. In 1897 he commenced his own business that would continue to grow and flourish for three generations until it sadly became victim to an unsolicited takeover of by a linked public company in 1979.

Jim Wyllie commenced his apprenticeship with the firm in 1941 then served with the RAAF No 51 Squadron in England in World War 2. It was when he was serving his country, he met Eunice Joy North of Buckinghamshire. It was “love at first sight” and they were engaged six weeks later, knowing she would have to leave her family behind. She had to then spend three years waiting in line behind the returning Australian troops before boarding a ship to Australia.

In 1948 Eunice arrived in Sydney on a Saturday then married Jim on the Wednesday, commencing a long and harmonious life together.

Jim was a solid contributor to this Association serving nineteen years on our State Council including President (1959-60), Trustee for thirteen years (1976-88) and honored with Life Membership in 1978. Eunice supported Jim in his MPAQ, church and community activities.

She had a strong interest in the arts, music, theatre, books and poetry.

On the practical side, she delved into ceramics, china painting, copperwork and some carpentry. Once she even received a lathe from her husband for a wedding anniversary present.

After Jim’s passing in 2002, Eunice kept in touch with MPAQ until entering her nursing home.

President Kent Vickers and I represented the Association at her funeral.

Eunice Wyllie was one of the most gracious ladies I have ever met.

The Association passes on its condolences to son, Freeman James Ross, and daughter, Linda Elizabeth and their extended families.

Written by Bruce Wallace, MPAQ Honorary Historian.

Written by Peter McConaghie and Bob Kimlin, MPAQ Trustee MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

33

MEMBER NEWS

AK PLUMBING & DRAINAGE REACHES 10 YEAR MILESTONE AK Plumbing & Drainage was founded by Alex Arkadieff in 2008; however, Alex was a sole trader for 14 years before this.

The company used to do maintenance and new housing, but now specialises just in new house installations.

When Alex was an apprentice, he achieved the highest marks in modules three, four, and five at Yeronga College and won the Brisbane Regional Work Skills competition, which resulted in going to the Nationals in Sydney where, as Alex quotes “I got my arse whipped thanks to Bill Watson who had me on earthen wear drainage for the two months before the competition – sorry Bill”.

The plumbing industry has changed a lot over the years—mainly there is so much more legislation and red tape now! Being a member of MPAQ, and the assistance provided, is very helpful in mining your way through all this, as well as all the other benefits they offer. Alex regrets joining only 10 years ago and said he should have done this as soon as he got his plumbing licence.

Congratulations to Alex and his team on reaching this milestone!

ERROL SCAMMELLS CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH MPAQ Errol started his business in 1970 after only ever working for one employer, focusing on new homes, six pack units, and maintenance.

Over the years Errol has witnessed great progression in the industry, including improved products, material, and saving time.

The plumbing industry introduced Errol to many great people. “We had great hardware store meet ups. Yes, we were competing against each other, but we still got on, there was never any aggression. There was a great comradery between us,” Errol said.

“Sometimes it was hard if you didn’t know your builders well. There was always the risk of someone going down and owing you money. Many times, in situations where you’d be asked to go on to another job before finishing jobs, late payments would blow out.

So many different stages and so many trips back and forward, from rough ins, to gutters, it could be hard to get out from under them.

It was not uncommon to do three houses a day, and there were no deposits back then or stage payments. A lot of times you didn’t get paid until the job was finished.”

Errol put through two apprentices and engaging labourers. He enjoyed the maintenance side of plumbing, as he met some great people. “Some you’d dread doing work for but most were great,” he said.

Errol said that his MPAQ membership helped significantly, highlighting one occasion when MPAQ helped with a complaint he got into with a manufacturer, which resulted in a good outcome.

“We had the networking with MPAQ and the golf club, and I still have the Wichetty prize and trophy today”.

Congratulations to Errol on his 50-year milestone!

STUDOR SUPPORTS MPAQ MEMBERS FOR 10 YEARS Who founded the company and when?

Studor was founded by Sture and Doris Ericson in 1975. This was after Sture applied for the patent on the first Air Admittance Valve invented, which he called the Bjare valve in 1973.

How has the company changed over the years?

Studor has grown from a small husband and wife business into a global leader in venting technology.

What does your company specialise in?

Studor specialises in venting technology, such as Air Admittance Valves and Pressure Attenuators, which are used to help eliminate vent piping as well as reducing vent terminations.

What have been the company’s major highlights?

Global acceptance of our products has always been a highlight for Studor. Locally, here in Australia, the addition of AAVs and Pressure Attenuators into AS 3500.2 was a key development as it was the first standard globally to include such products; this was seen as a positive step forward for both Studor and the Australian plumbing industry.

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| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

Has the company/staff won any awards?

Knowing we have helped shape the construction industry and made a positive change to plumbing globally is reward enough.

How many people work at the company now?

With the sale of Studor to IPS Corp in the USA and Aliaxis in Europe, as well as distributors located in countries around the world, the numbers have grown considerably.

How do you feel the industry has changed over the years?

With the advent of SARS, MERS, and more recently COVID 19, people have become more aware of how important plumbing is in public health and safety.

New products, materials, and methods combined with evolving standards is helping plumbers achieve outcomes that were never thought possible years ago.

How has your subscription to MPAQ helped the business over the years?

It has given Studor the ability to reach more Queensland plumbers, helping increase brand awareness and product knowledge. It has also provided the opportunity to be a voice that is helping to positively shape the industry as a whole.

What are your future goals for the company?

To continue doing what we do best: provide plumbers with best quality products and advice, which is helping them provide cost effective, compliant, and efficient solutions to their clients.

Thank you to Studor for their support over the last ten years!

Penny Cornah, MPAQ Executive Director and Grant Weymouth, Studor Australia Pty Ltd

MPAQ

MEET THE TEAM Ashleigh Stonehewer

Member Services Manager Ashleigh has been with MPAQ since 2016, working across the marketing and membership departments.

As the Member Services Manager, Ashleigh leads our membership and marketing team to ensure that members are experiencing real value to set their businesses apart from the rest of the industry. Ashleigh is also the editor of the Master Plumber magazine and is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate our members’ experiences and successes.

Jason Searle Sales and Membership Specialist

Jason has been working for the Association since 2017 and is based in Bundaberg; however, he looks after our members from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns. Jason has nearly 30 years’ experience working in the construction industry, combined with business studies from QUT, which assists him with relating to MPAQ’s members and understanding the challenges they face.

Jason finds helping our members succeed in their business both professionally and personally rewarding.

Terri McIntyre

Leah Govorko

Terri has been with MPAQ since June 2021. She has extensive experience and has worked in various membership roles for the past seven years, mainly focused on non-for-profit organisations.

As the Membership Services Coordinator, Terri offers support services to our members and the membership team. She is also responsible for all membership renewals and keeping our data system and records up to date.

Leah has been with MPAQ since 2018 and is based in Brisbane, looking after our members in South East Queensland and Toowoomba. Leah has a high level of customer service through her past work experience and business studies, and she enjoys looking at ways to provide quality assurance and continuous improvement.

Leah also has a focus on health and safety in construction and strives to provide the best outcomes for our members.

Member Services Coordinator

Sales and Membership Specialist

MEMBER BENEFITS SAVE BIG ON HEALTH INSURANCE WITH BUPA

STREAMLINE AND AUTOMATE YOUR BUSINESS

Nothing is more important to Bupa than providing its members with quality corporate health insurance.

That’s why they’ve teamed up with MPAQ so you can access a range of health and wellness services from just $20.35 per week.

Modus Operandi works exclusively with trades businesses to streamline and automate operations by providing an end-to-end business solution. Members receive a complimentary scoping call and discounted consultations

BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION LAW SPECIALISTS

EXCLUSIVE BUSINESS PRICING FOR YOUR OFFICE

Cornwalls Law is offering MPAQ Contracting members a free debt recovery letter, a 20 min. complimentary legal consultation, and a fixed fee offer for companies that purchase an MPAQ Contract that requires adapting.

Officeworks is offering MPAQ members exclusive discounts on selected products. All you need to do is either sign up or log in to an Officeworks 30 Day Business Account and the discounts will be automatically applied.

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

35

MILESTONES

CONGRATULATIONS TO MPAQ’S MILESTONE MEMBERS NAME

COMPANY

DIVISION

COMPANY

DIVISION

Hannah Hansen

GWA Group

Brisbane North

50

Justin Geale

Boone and Willard Qld Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

10

Graeme Twaddell

Everything Water Australia

Brisbane South

50

Malcolm Coleman

Malcolm Coleman

Brisbane South

10

Mora Harris

Everhard Industries Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

50

Kevin Carmichael

Carmichael Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

10

Steven Knapman

S & IE Knapman

Mackay

40

Keith Craig

Keith Craig

Brisbane North

10

John Wenke

Gem Plumbing (Qld) Pty Ltd

Central Highlands

40

Dave Pugh

CVSG Asset Services Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

10

Michael Torrisi

MWF Plumbing

Country

40

Jamie Stanford

Stanford Plumbing and Gas

Country

10

David Spratt

Spratt Plumbing Services

Brisbane South

30

Bruce Barry

Edmonton Plumbing

Far North Qld

10

Kevin Wright

Kevin Wright

Brisbane South

30

Jim Quinn

CIVEO

Mackay

10

Allan Christian

Christian’s Plumbing

Central Highlands

30

Jacob White

A-Tech Industries Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

5

Gerard Irwin

Gerard Irwin

Central

25

Tim Brunner

T.J.B. Plumbing & Refrigeration Toowoomba

5

Con McMonagle

MTC Gas Australia Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

25

Morgan Harvey

Tradewinds Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

5

Darryl Drake

Comtech Plumbing

Brisbane South

25

Michael Jarvis

5

David Vermeer

Aqua7 Bathrooms

Brisbane North

20

JC Plumbing and Gas Services Sunshine Coast Pty Ltd

Gino Fornataro

Suburban Plumbing

Brisbane North

20

Leon Pettet

Leon Pettet Plumbing Pty Ltd

Toowoomba

5

Wayne Currie

City Country Plumbing Maintenance

Brisbane North

15

Geoffrey Sawyer

Sawyer Plumbing

Brisbane North

5

Andrew O’Toole

OTC Plumbing & Gas

Brisbane South

5

Costa Gerolimos

KML Plumbing Services Pty Ltd Gold Coast

15

Kwangkil Park

P K Plumbing

Brisbane South

5

Anthony Wright

SkillSmart Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

15

Danny White

Gold Coast

5

Glenn Ensor

CBS Plumbing (Qld) Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

15

Pipe Zone Plumbing and Drainage Contractors

Keiron Smith

K R Smith Plumbing Services

Ipswich

15

Jenny Gill

Busy At Work

Gold Coast

5

Mark Foster

Coastside Plumbing & Maintenance Pty Ltd

Gold Coast

15

Corey Jennings

Code Certified Plumbers

North Qld

5

Simon Shaw

Simon The Plumber

Sunshine Coast

5

Pat Dugger

Pat Duggar

Brisbane South

15

Patrick Fuller

Brisbane North

5

Damian Impey

Cooloola Plumbing & Gas Solutions

Sunshine Coast

10

Jabiru Plumbing Services Pty Ltd

Thomas Daniell

5

Gloria Hawthorne

Ecosafe Wastewater Treatment Brisbane North

10

Eazyflow Plumbing & Drainage Brisbane North Pty Ltd

Sam Kruger

Shore (QLD) Pty Ltd

10

Jay Roll

J R Plumbing and Gas

Far North Qld

5

Daniel Tomekovic

Sandy Straits Plumbing Pty Ltd Fraser Coast

10

Dean Beutel

U Beut Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

5

David James

David James

Fraser Coast

10

Nathan Bellshaw

Redshaw Plumbing & Drainage Toowoomba

5

Simon Wise

Wise Plumbing and Gas Services Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

10

Simon Gardiner

Oz Plumbing and Gas

Brisbane North

5

Steve Demeter

Sunstar Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

5

Gold Coast

NAME

MILESTONE

50

40

40

40

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

YEAR

Errol Scammells

36

MILESTONE

YEAR

Jason Searle, MPAQ Sales and Membership Speacialist, and Rob Weaver Rob Weaver Plumbing Services

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

YEAR

Stephen Fluerty and Penny Cornah MPAQ Executive Director

YEAR

John and Jason Wenke Gem Plumbing (QLD)

MILESTONES

30

30

30

YEAR

YEAR

YEAR

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

Karen and Allan Christian Christian’s Plumbing

Clifford and Relma Tucker Cliff Tucker Plumbing

YEAR

MILESTONE

Col Baldock Baldocks Plumbing Service Pty Ltd

30

25

25

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

YEAR

Jack and Craig Nixon, Nixon Plumbing Pty Ltd

Shane Fermor Fermor Plumbing Service

30

YEAR

Carl Milford, Nardia Plumbing, and Ernie Kretschmer, MPAQ Deputy Executive Director

YEAR

Leo Somerwil, Online Plumbing Services, and Ernie Kretschmer, MPAQ Deputy Executive Director

25

15

10

10

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

YEAR

Peter Edwards, Esk Plumbing & Drainage, and Penny Cornah, MPAQ Executive Director

YEAR

Anthony West ANA Plumbing & Roofing

YEAR

Leah Govorko, MPAQ Sales and Membership Specialist, and Graham Bruce, All Sorts Plumbing

YEAR

Randall Crisp Advanced Enviro-Septic

10

10

10

10

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

MILESTONE

YEAR

Angela Arkadieff, Alex Arkadieff and Margaret Hastie AK Plumbing and Drainage Pty Ltd

YEAR

Bede McNamara HC Plumbing Pty Ltd

YEAR

Daniel Tomekovic Sandy Straits Plumbing Pty Ltd

YEAR

David Rizk DNR Plumbing Solutions

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

37

NEW MEMBERS

WELCOME TO MPAQ’S NEW MEMBERS & CORPORATES NAME

COMPANY

DIVISION

NAME

COMPANY

DIVISION

Jason Charles

JLC Plumbing

Far North QLD

Connor Mattsson

CSM Contracting Pty Ltd

Central

Tyler Kowalski

TYKO Plumbing

Far North QLD

John Antony

Plumbing HQ services

Brisbane North

Clinton Butler

Pure Hydrogen Operations Pty Ltd

Outside QLD

Peter Somerville

Peter Somerville

Sunshine Coast

Conor Swinton

High Mark Group Pty Ltd

Toowoomba

Travis McMahon

TM Plumbing & Gas

Central

Shannon Mccullagh Pinnacle Plumbing and Wastewater

Toowoomba

Marty Cavanagh

Ezaflow Plumbing Solutions

Gold Coast

Michael Poynton

Flow Rite Plumbing & Hot Water

Brisbane South

Joseph Damms

On Tap Plumbing and Gas Services

Brisbane North

Jaysen Leong

Plumbcore (Aust) Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

Lachlan Loft

Maryborough District Plumbing

Fraser Coast

Simon Rames

Waterbank Tanks and Plumbing

Sunshine Coast

Iain Tweddle

Iain Tweddle

Gold Coast

Ben Cocker

Drew Built Homes and Construction Pty Ltd Brisbane South

Michael Spragg

O’Brien Plumbing Gumdale

Brisbane South

Bryn Gilbert Grant

BCV Plumbing

Gold Coast

Jimmi Keller

Progressive Plumbing & Hot Water

Sunshine Coast

Peter Jenkin

Swell Plumbing and Drainage

Bundaberg

Paul Hayes

Hayes Plumbing QLD

Brisbane North

Dean Eenjes

My Gas Plumber

Brisbane North

Darcy Knauth

DAK’s Plumbing & Gas Pittsworth Pty Ltd

Toowoomba

Justin Thomas

J T Plumbing Solutions

Sunshine Coast

Jake Sullivan

Sullivan Plumbing

Toowoomba

Davide Pili

D.A. Pili Plumbing Pty Ltd

Brisbane North

Aidan Leet

Aidan Leet

Toowoomba

Callum Beard

Callum Beard Plumbing

Toowoomba

Corey Robinson

Mission Plumbing & Drainage

Gold Coast

Neil Grunsell

Plumbing Bros Caboolture

Brisbane North

Travis Wearne

Sean Mason

Combined Plumbing & Gas

Bundaberg

Ben Kiddle

BJK Plumbing Pty Ltd

Gold Coast

Kallam Oates

Seven Plumbing and Property Developments Gold Coast Pty Ltd KJO Plumbing & Gas Far North QLD

Ben Job

PPSQ Pty Ltd

Gold Coast

Darren Lenoy

Kuburu Plumbing Pty Ltd

North Qld

Thomas Cretney

Cretney Plumbing

Sunshine Coast

Stephen Podd

Steven Podd

Fraser Coast

Christopher Wood

CWP Plumbing & Gas

Brisbane North

Lachlan Bell

Bells Boys Plumbing & Gas Pty Ltd

Brisbane South

Scott Richards

Scott Richards Plumbing

Country

Matthew Muller

MCM Plumbing & Gasfitting

Gold Coast

Simon Davies

Power Plumbing and Contracting

North Qld

WIN

One of Two

Visa Gift Cards

VALUED AT $2,500 EACH

BY RENEWING YOUR MPAQ MEMBERSHIP! Pay your 2022 Contracting Membership Renewal prior to the due date and you could go into the draw to win one of two visa gift cards worth $2,500.

THANKS TO RWC!

VISIT WWW.MPAQ.COM.AU/RENEW OR CALL 07 3273 0800 FOR MORE INFORMATION This competition is available for contracting members renewing their membership with the Association between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022. Receipt or confirmation of payment for renewal must be received by the renewal date in order for the member to gain an entry in the 2022 Membership Renewal Draw. This competition is only applicable to contracting members. Renewing members must elect to enter the draw via a link provided in membership confirmation emails. All entries must be received by 11.59pm AEST on 31 December 2022. The competition is open to MPAQ contracting members who are Australian residents aged 18 years and over. Only one entry per company is permitted. The winner will be drawn at random on 20 January 2023 at noon AEST at 11/243 Bradman Street, Acacia Ridge, Brisbane, QLD 4110. The winner must accept the prize within 10 business days of this date. Full Competition Terms and Conditions Apply - visit www.mpaq.com.au/renew for more details.

38

| MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022

PAGE SUPPORTERS HEADING

THE SUPPORTERS OF OUR INDUSTRY Platinum Corporate Supporters Reliance Worldwide Corporation The Service Trades College Australia Toyota Tradelink WFI Insurance

07 3018 3440 07 3255 5698 1800 679 247 1800 758 624 1300 934 934

Gold Corporate Supporters Austbrokers Comsure Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd Australian Valve Group AustWorld BUSSQ Pty Ltd Caroma Industries Ltd Geberit Pty Ltd Kembla Plumbing Plus Bathroom Kitchen Laundry Pty Ltd Rheem Australia Pty Ltd simPRO Software Pty Ltd Zip Heaters (Aust) Pty Ltd

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Silver Corporate Supporters Construction Skills Queensland Halgan Pty Ltd Position Partners Pty Ltd Reece

1800 798 488 07 3208 8339 1300 867 266 03 9274 0000

Corporate Supporters Advanced Enviro-Septic AiiMS Aqua Cooler Pty Ltd Aquacure Water Treatment Pty Ltd Aquaknect Aquatech Solar Technologies Pty Ltd Ascot Pipe Relining AusPress Systems Pty Ltd Australian Gas Networks Australian Industry Trade College Gold Coast Australian Pump Industries Pty Ltd Before You Dig Australia Ltd Bermad Water Technologies Brand Hero Bretts Trade Plumbing Supplies Busy At Work Cal Pacific Chantal Gerardy Con-Serv Corporation Australia Pty Ltd Cornwalls Law + More CrewTraka Decina Bathroomware Pty Ltd Elson Australasia Pty Ltd Emerson Valvcheq Backflow Enware Australia Pty Ltd Everhard Industries Pty Ltd Fair Water Meters Finlease Global Roto-Moulding Pty Ltd Gould Instruments Groundplan Software Handford Virtual Services Hilti (Aust) Pty Ltd InSinkErator Level Group Australia Lifestyle Tradie Group Pty Ltd Mascot Engineering Group Modus Operandi

07 5474 4055 1300 641 849 0421 246 504 0732776696 07 3805 3800 07 5520 6701 0428 037 358 1300 287 773 1300 001 001 www.aitc.qld.edu.au 02 8865 3500 1300 329 375 03 9464 2374 07 3881 3211 07 3203 2105 13 28 79 0447 465 688 0400 107 706 07 3630 5744 07 3223 5900 03 8888 6032 07 3271 1944 02 9625 7899 07 3260 2555 02 8556 4000 131 926 1300 324 701 07 3324 2655 07 4697 7099 07 4779 6750 07 3062 7737 0487 000 557 131 292 0447 886 648 02 8904 0859 1800 704 822 1300 885 295 0421 399 107

Ozzi Kleen Payright Plastec Australia Pty Ltd Plumbers’ Supplies Co-Operative Limited Plumbing Apprentices Queensland Plumbspec Podium Porters Position Partners Pty Ltd PROTRADE United Pure Hydrogen Operations Pty Ltd QLeave QUT Facilities Management Rain Harvesting RBM Systems Pty Ltd Rehau Pty Ltd Ridge Tool (Aust) Pty Ltd Rinnai Rostron Carlyle Rojas Lawyers Samios SFA Australia Pty Ltd Shower Sealed Pty Ltd Snap Fire Systems Pty Ltd SolarEast Australasia Pty Ltd Specialised Plumbing Centre Stiebel Eltron (Aust) Pty Ltd Stoddart Storm Plastics Pty Ltd Stratco (Qld) Pty Ltd Studor Australia Pty Ltd TAFE Queensland Taylex Australia Pty Ltd The Bidet Shop The Couta Group Pty Ltd The Shower Repair Centre The Wondercap Company Pty Ltd Totally Workwear Tradie Bookkeeping Solutions Tradie Finance Troy Legal Valves R Us Vinidex Pty Ltd Wilo Australia Pty Ltd Xact Accounting Zetco Valves Pty Ltd

07 5459 4900 1300 338 496 0754134444 02 8118 6000 07 3273 0800 0423 563 030 0416 705 584 07 4967 3333 0409 074 201 1300 767 774 02 9955 4008 1300 753 283 07 3188 2331 07 3248 9600 0435 217 237 07 5527 1833 03 9930 7000 07 3137 6600 07 3009 8444 07 3907 8399 1300 554 779 1300 519 133 07 3348 9417 1300668886 07 3862 1166 1800 153 351 07 3440 7600 08 8374 3277 07 3451 4444 1300 551 519 07 3244 0209 07 3441 5200 07 5591 7744 03 8405 3386 1300 888 806 07 5539 3665 07 3249 4000 0468944130 1300 391 390 07 3012 6657 07 3865 1488 07 3277 2822 07 3907 6900 1300 233 723 02 9516 1336

Associate Councils Brisbane City Council Bundaberg Regional Council Gympie Regional Council Isaac Regional Council Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council Livingstone Shire Council (LSC) Logan City Council Mackay Regional Council Mareeba Shire Council Moreton Bay Regional Council Mount Isa City Council Quilpie Shire Council Rockhampton Regional Council Southern Downs Regional Council Sunshine Coast Regional Council Toowoomba Regional Council Townsville City Council

07 3403 8888 07 4130 4814 1300 307 800 07 4964 5400 07 4083 7100 07 4913 5000 07 3412 3412 1300 622 529 07 4086 4720 07 3205 0555 07 4747 3200 07 4656 0500 07 4932 9000 1300 697 372 07 5420 8618 07 4688 6764 13 48 10

MASTER PLUMBER MAGAZINE Spring 2022 |

39

Install it with confidence, as it’s backed by Australia’s number 1.

You can confidently recommend the new Rheem AMBIHEAT® HDc-270 heat pump, backed by extensive R&D and our expert technical support helpline, plus: • • • •

Fitting locations make it an ideal replacement for an electric water heater Saves clients up to 68%1 on energy year round Suitable for all weather conditions from -5°C to 43°C Eligible for Rheem Rewards2 and STCs3

To learn more, or for technical support call 13 10 31 or visit rheem.com.au COMES ON STEADY, HOT AND STRONG.

INSTALL A AUSTRALIA’S NO. 1

Energy savings of up to 68% are based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling using a medium load in Zone 3 and apply when replacing an electric water heater of similar size with a Rheem 551270 Heat Pump water heater. Energy savings of up to and between 64% to 71% in Zone 1 to 5 on hot water energy consumption when replacing an electric water heater (min. 16 hours/day). Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. The impact on an electricity account will depend on the tariff arrangement of the water heater being replaced and where you live. This Heat Pump water heater (climate dependent) is recommended for connection to either a 24 hour continuous tariff or an extended off-peak (min. 16 hours/day). If replacing an electric water heater greater than 250 litres, Heat Pump connection to a 24 hour continuous tariff is recommended. Before purchase consult your energy provider for more information on cost comparisons. 2 Eligibility, terms and conditions apply - please visit www.rheemrewards.com.au.

3 Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are a financial benefit to encourage the installation of solar water heaters provided under a Federal Government legislated scheme.

1