Australasian Timber Magazine - December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

MANUFACTURE • TECHNOLOGY • DESIGN • CONSTRUCTION

AUSTRALIAN TIMBER DESIGN AWARDS All the winners

THE RISE OF THE CARBON WARRIOR

Putting the heat on timber preservation

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NEWS

$11m stadium build scoops prize pool T

H E $11.3 million Eric Tweedale Stadium in Western Sydney is this year’s overall winner of this year’s Australian Timber Design Awards.

The stunning stadium, offering a new home for community sport and providing residents and visitors with a revitalised facility, is also winner of the People’s Choice Award and the Public and Commercial award.

The 22nd Australian Timber Design Awards were presented at a virtual event on November 30.

The stadium is a benchmark for sustainable construction with a key focus on an intricately detailed timber roof structure designed by dwp|Design Worldwide Partnership. Lead Designer and Project Architect of the stadium Ivana Simkovic of dwp|Design Worldwide Partnership said the stadium was a benchmark in terms of cost effectiveness, efficiency, design quality and sustainability.

The mass timber canopy contains one of the largest discontinuous and double cantilevers, and as a stadium canopy, it is a first for Australia.

The stadium includes a 760-seat grandstand with change rooms, multipurpose rooms, first-floor function space, commercial kitchen, and outdoor viewing deck.

“The stadium has been designed with the best practice principles of sustainability and simple form which will seamlessly blend into the existing Granville Park and surrounding neighbourhood,” Ivana Simkovic of dwp|Design Worldwide Partnership said.

The roof structure design was very ambitious; the main cantilever spans 8.5 m over the spectator’s seating, 13.7 m beams span over the multipurpose area and a double cantilevered roof frame at each end of the roof structure. The entire roof slopes west and is supported by 26 - 240 x 380 mm timber glulam columns.

OVERALL WINNER People’s Choice Award Public and Commercial dwp Australia & Northrop for Eric Tweedale Stadium Structural Engineer: Northrop Consulting Engineers Builder: Belmadar Timber Supplier and Fabricator: Rubner Holzbau and Theca Australia Photographer: Brett Boardman Location: Granville, New South Wales

The use of a mass timber structure in the Stadium is a first for glulam timber in Australia, representing an impressive achievement in timber engineering.

It was named after the longest living Australian rugby player, Eric Tweedale, who turned 100 this year.

The Greater Sports Facility Fund and Cumberland City Council jointly funded the project.

The award for use of Certified Timber went to Nadine Samaha from level architecture for the Royd Clan’s House near Geelong.

The Compressed Laminated Timber (CLT) panels and Glulam portals for the structure relied on Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA). All timber was cut precisely in factories and assembled on-site to suit the design geometry with minimal transport trips. Choosing CLTwas crucial for the sequestration of carbon, for its insulation value, thermal mass index, and biophilic properties.

WINNERS, JUDGES, PICTURES - PAGES 6,7 www.timberbiz.com.au

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

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NEWS

australasian

DECEMBER 2021 Issue 8 – Volume 29 Incorporating Australian and New Zealand Timberman.

Established 1977.

3-5

News Australian Timber Design Awards Climate change Mill technology

An open letter from the timber framing industry B U ILD IN G and construc-

6-7 8-9 13

FRONT Cover: This year’s overall winner of this year’s Australian Timber Design Awards, the $11.3 million Eric Tweedale Stadium in Western Sydney, is a benchmark for sustainable construction with a key focus on an intricately detailed timber roof structure. Picture: Brett Boardman Publisher and Chief Executive: Hartley Higgins General Manager: Robyn Haworth Editor: Bruce Mitchell b.mitchelll@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9512 Advertising: Gavin de Almeida g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517

tion is currently experiencing the perfect storm.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unexpectedly generated a substantial increase in residential building activity. This unprecedented demand for materials, together with COVID-19-related supply challenges, is creating limited availability of key resources and resulting in longer lead times in many sectors, including the timber framing industry.

And, at the same time, Australians are choosing to use more timber than ever before.

There are two main reasons for this: 1. Government stimulus

packages and low interest rates have seen new house approvals reach their highest ever numbers, and at the same time we’re witnessing record demand for house renos.

2. More people working and studying from home has driven an increase in the home alterations and improvements market, and also encouraged a move to rebuild in regional and coastal areas.

Let’s get the job done.

The industry knows that timber is in high demand and is geared to providing a strong and stable supply.

However, the current building boom has defied most predictions and we’re now having to double down on our efforts to give Australians the timber they need.

Local sawmills are working harder than ever to optimise production and the vast majority of Australian-produced timber still stays here in Australia – with just 3% of domestic softwood sales earmarked for export (mainly low-grade product unsuitable for structural use).

At the same time, importers of framing timber are pro-actively seeking out additional sustainable sources and working with Government to streamline the import process to further speed up and improve supply.

Creative Services: Jarren Gallway Jessica Masters Publication Design: Jarren Gallway Timber classifieds: g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517 Subscriptions: subs@forestsandtimber.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9522 Subcription rates One-year (8 editions) $55 Two-years (16 editions) $95 Accounts: Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9555 Postal Address: 630 Regency Road, Broadview South Australia 5083 Phone: (08) 8369 9555 Fax: (08) 8369 9501 Melbourne Office: Suite 2262, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Phone: (03) 9810 3262 Find us on Facebook @AustralasianTimber Website www.timberbiz.com.au Printed by Lane Print, Adelaide, SA

Conditions

The opinions expressed in Australasian Timber Magazine are not necessarily the opinions of or endorsed by the editor or publisher unless otherwise stated.

All articles submitted for publication become the property of the publisher. All material in Australasian Timber Magazine copyright 2021 © Ryan Media. All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means (graphic, electronic, or mechanical including information and retrieval systems) without written permission of the publisher.

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information, the publisher will not accept responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on information published.

MEDIA

INDEPENDENT & AUSTRALIAN OWNED

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We don’t want to let anyone down, that’s why we’re doing all we can to increase efficiency, streamline production and reduce timber waste.

We’re also investing considerable time and effort to advise and promote Government policy that supports more tree planting, to further reduce the potential risk of not being more self-sufficient in timber products.

The future is looking positive.

We understand the frustrations of not having the tools to do the job. It not only affects productivity and profits – but also staff morale, customer confidence and company reputation.

To all those affected by the increased demand for timber, we want you to know that we recognise your concerns and are here to offer our full support.

In addition, we continue to encourage significant new investment in timber growing, sourcing and production technology, helping to create a sure and stable supply for the future. And that means we’ll be growing more trees, removing more carbon from the atmosphere and creating a cleaner, better world for everyone.

It’s a challenge right now but we’re strong enough to weather the storm. If we work collectively together, we can grow together.

Design awards the bright light at the end to another troubling year

A

N D so as 2021 draws

to an end it is pleasing to celebrate the announcement of the Australian Timber Design Awards.

The awards, now in their 22nd year, celebrate the excellent work being done with timber by architects, designers and builders across the country.

Each year the quality and ingenuity, as well as the beauty, seems to surpass the year before, as does the desire by decision makers to see more and more timber

australasian

used in major construction projects.

And so often the timber being sought is engineered wood.

It is of course disappointing that this celebration of timber could not be a public celebration.

However Covid-19 restrictions continue to have an

impact on events such as this, and on the industry as a whole.

The building frenzy brought about by the pandemic and the successful HomeBuilder project has put a severe strain on the building industry that is expected to last well into the New Year.

Hopefully there will be some relief soon.

I would like to thank the many contributors and industry organisations who are integral to this publication, plus the advertisers who have

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

supported us to bring it to our readers. Our sales, editorial production and support team remain passionate about the industry and we look forward to serving our customers and readers in 2022.

After all, we print your industry details on a product that you produce.

Best wishes to all for a Merry and Safe Christmas followed by a Prosperous New Year.

Bruce Mitchell Editor www.timberbiz.com.au

NEWS

Demand to remain strong in 2022 D E MAND for new de-

tached and multi-unit housing has remained strong, suggesting that the current boom in home building will be sustained throughout 2022.

The HIA’s economic and industry Outlook Report includes updated forecasts for new home building and renovations activity for Australia and each of the eight states and territories.

“Demand for new detached home construction has remained strong because of economic lockdowns,” HIA

Chief Economist Tim Reardon said.

“There has been a clear shift towards lower density housing during the pandemic and this trend does not appear to show signs of slowing,” he said.

“This shift is not just those in units moving to detached housing but includes a shift to fewer people per household.

“As a result, we have seen a significant change in the volume, type and location of new homes. These trends are similar in other countries.”

Mr Reardon said that leading indicators of demand showed that the demand for new detached homes remained strong.

Sales since the end of HomeBuilder (April 2021 – October 2021) are the strongest they have been since 2017 when

over 115,000 detached homes commenced construction.

“This strong level of home building activity suggests that the current boom in residential construction will be sustained throughout 2022,” Mr Reardon said.

“The full impact of the loss of migration is yet to fully impact demand for detached housing and a rise in interest rates will mark the end of this COVID building boom.”

The shift to lower density was also the likely driver of recent demand for multiunits.

Approvals for multi-units were 34.3 per cent higher in the September 2021 quarter than the same quarter a year earlier.

Mr Reardon said this was being driven by both medium density housing and high-rise apartments.

“Investors are looking through the haze of the pandemic to a brighter outlook on the other side,” he said.

“Affordability constraints are also pushing households, particularly first home buyers, back to townhouses and apartments.

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

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AUSTRALIAN TIMBER DESIGN AWARDS

Media centre a veneer showcase

PETER LLEWELLEN Technical representative, Timber Veneer Association of Australia

T

HE Australian Timber

• The grand

stairway at the rebuilt Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide.

Design Awards again attracted outstanding examples of the use of timber veneers in the Timber Veneer category sponsored by the TVAA. The overall winner was the Judith Neilson Centre for Journalism and Ideas, based in Sydney at 79 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale.

The Institute was estab-

lished in 2018 by Australian philanthropist Judith Neilson, and works with journalists and media organisations around the world.

The Institute’s design by Project Architects Alec Tzannes and Matilda Gollan involved the adaptive re-use of two heritage listed warehouse buildings plus a new addition.

The original heritage fabric, including timber beams and trusses, was respected while new and old are interwoven through the interior.

American Oak veneer was used to create curved and fluid joinery elements, finished with a natural oil that allows for ease of ongoing maintenance.

Three ‘honourable mentions’ in the Timber Veneer category showed the versatility of veneers, ranging from the acousticallydesigned, panelled walls of Her Majesty’s Theatre, to the soaring ceilings of the BNP Paribas Centre, to the perforated panels of Wilderness

Meet the judges BILL DOWZER A strategic leader with specialist expertise in the briefing and design of new workplace and education environments. Bill Dowzer is a Principal at BVN who recently led the establishment of its New York City design studio. He is passionate about creating empowering environments that celebrate the user experience.

6

DAVID ROWLINSON David studied Architecture and Building Engineering in the UK and also has an MBA from Macquarie Graduate School of Management and a Master of Marketing from the UNSW. He manages Planet Ark’s, Make It Wood campaign which aims to increase the use of responsibly sourced wood as a building material.

SUNNY WILDER Sunny is a partner of WilderCoyle Furniture and Design. A multidisciplinary studio and workshop that designs and crafts bespoke furniture and joinery from recycled and sustainably sourced hardwood. The focus of the studio is on allowing the natural beauty of timber to prevail with their designs being minimalist and functional.

LUKE JOHNSON Luke Johnson is a Principal at Architectus who has worked throughout Australia, Japan and Europe on arts and cultural, education, residential, transport, health and workplace sector projects.

He is currently leading several projects for Architectus in design and construction phases including the the UNSW Health Translation Hub.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

HMERYL HARE Meryl Hare is Principal and Design Director of interior design practice Hare + Klein formed in Sydney in 1989.

Meryl is a Fellow of the Design Institute of Australia; she has received a citation for services to the Design Industry and was inducted to the DIA Hall of Fame in 2011 and House & Garden Hall of Fame in 2018.

www.timberbiz.com.au

AUSTRALIAN TIMBER DESIGN AWARDS Recognising Excellence in Timber Design RESIDENTIAL CLASS 1 – NEW BUILDINGS Recognising Excellence in Timber Design 2021 Residential Class 1 – New Buildings Casey Brown Architecture For Permanent Camping 2 RESIDENTIAL CLASS 1 - ALTERATION OR ADDITION Matt Elkan Architect For Smash Repair House MULTI-RESIDENTIAL Cox Architecture + Carr For Adelaide Oval Hotel

• The interior of the

BNP Paribas Centre at 60 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, and at right the interior of Adelaide’s Wilderness School.

School’s Learning Commons.

The $66 million redevelopment of Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide involved a complete gutting of the existing structure with a newly designed interior inserted

into the heritage-listed external walls, and a modern foyer and bar area added to one side.

The BNP Paribas Centre at 60 Castlereagh Street Sydney also involved refurbishment of an existing building.

As Aeta Studio describes the material choices, “Existing retained stone was com-

plemented by a new palette of local hardwood and softwood.”

In the design for Adelaide’s Wilderness School, Cox Architecture aimed to “inspire, shape, and change how Wilderness School students learn”. Soft White American Oak veneers blur the line between the outside and in-

side, celebrating the tones of the school’s much loved existing trees around the Campus.

As in past Australian Timber Design Awards, the high standard of Timber Veneer entries in 2021 presented the judges with a difficult task, all four finalists being worthy of recognition.

PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL dwp Australia & Northrop For Eric Tweedale Stadium INTERIORS FIT-OUT – RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS Jackson Clements Burrows For Divided House INTERIOR FIT-OUT – COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Fitzpatrick and Partners For F+P Studio FURNITURE AND JOINERY Tzannes For Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas

• The interior of the

award-winning Judith Neilson Centre for Journalism and Ideas in Sydney.

LANDSCAPE Site Office For Station Street Mall STAND-ALONE STRUCTURE Baber, Burry, Chen & Gattas For Suspended Remnants - A Funicular Timber Pavilion AUSTRALIAN CERTIFIED TIMBER Nadine Samaha – Architect For Royd Clan’s House

Tzannes for Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas Builder: Infinity Constructions Fabricator: Nicom Interiors and Top Knot Carpentry and Joinery Photographer: Ben Guthrie and Martin Mischkulnig Location: Sydney, New South Wales www.timberbiz.com.au

RECYCLED TIMBER Cox Architecture For Eden Port Welcome Centre TIMBER VENEER Tzannes For Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

7

CONSTRUCTION

Improving sustainability is vital

CLAIRE BENNETT

T

H E recent IPCC report

highlighted that we must urgently transition to a low carbon future2.

If Australia wants to limit global warming to 1.5°C, as per the Paris Agreement, it must reach net-zero emissions by 20351.

With buildings accounting for around one-fifth of Australia’s emissions when electricity use is taken into account1, improving the sustainability of new and exist-

ing housing is low hanging fruit2.

The world has been focused on the policy decisions of our world leaders at COP26, but we don’t need to wait for policy to implement change. Business can take a lead.

ClimateWorks has worked

Independent advisor to the world’s forest and agricultural industries

with the CSIRO to assess the pathways that each sector of the Australian economy can follow to reduce greenhouse emissions and identified a sector-by-sector “to do” list 1. One area that needs big improvements is buildings.

The materials that we design and build with can have a significant impact.

According to the Journal of Green Building, a good rule of thumb is that one cubic meter of Cross Laminated

Timber (CLT) sequesters (and when used in the built environment, stores) roughly one tonne of CO25. As a comparison, around ½ a tonne of CO2 is emitted to manufacture a tonne of concrete and 2 tonnes of CO2 are emitted in the manufacture of a tonne of steel. Using timber instead of concrete and steel can provide a long-term carbon store, and avoids the carbon embedded in those materials, which is substantial5.

A 2019 report in The Journal of Engineering conducted a lifecycle analysis comparing a “hybrid mid-rise cross-laminated timber commercial building” with a “reinforced concrete building with similar functional characteristics” and concluded that the CLT building represented a “26.5% reduction in global warming potential.”

The IPCC says net-zero is not enough, CO2 emissions need to go net-negative – we need to do more than stop emitting it, we need to remove CO2 from the atmosphere7.

Mass tree planting and locking carbon up in the built environment are two ways to do this7. Actively managed forests and particularly fast-growing plantations (Eucalyptus Nitens grow on fast 15-year rotations compared to 30 years for softwood) are doing just that – removing carbon from the atmosphere.

In addition to wood, other technologies are under development that may soon be available to the built environment. MCi is a technology platform that transforms CO2 into building materials.

One example is plaster-

Margules Groome are independent consultants to the forestry, wood products, bio solutions, pulp & paper, and agriculture sectors.

Our unique combination of forest management and consulting skills, deep industry knowledge and technical know-how, enables us to provide a wide range of expert services. These include forest valuation and transaction due

board made by combining CO2 with an abundant lowgrade rock called serpentinite, to become a negative emissions building material, locking away more CO2 than was used to create it8.

A current example, right on our doorstep is St Lukes Health’s soon to be constructed office building in Launceston Tasmania, which aims to become “the most sustainable and carbon positive office development in Tasmania.”

Designed by Tasmanian architects, Terroir, it will be built with mass timber. The building will have a life cycle plan applied so that when it is no longer needed it can be demolished and the timber structure re-engineered and reused. The architects are working with Timber Design Studio to create a structure that uses sustainably sourced timber with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint by up to 40 percent compared to traditional construction.

“It represents a model, contemporary work environment that promotes the developer’s vision for Tasmania to be the healthiest island in the world,” the architects said in a development application to council.4 Further afield, Snohetta are taking it a step further designing energy producing buildings. These Powerhouse Standard buildings in a 60year period, will generate more renewable energy than the total amount of energy that would be required to sustain daily operations and to build, produce materials and demolish the building. Svart is a stunning example, using

diligence, sales advisory services, analysis and advice for forest owners, resource planning and business strategy, markets and market forecasts, operations and tech solutions.

At its core, Margules Groome stands for objectivity, impartiality and ethical business practice.

Professionalism and integrity underpin everything we do.

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

www.timberbiz.com.au

CONSTRUCTION

materials with low embodied energy, such as wooden poles for its structure, to reach the Powerhouse Standard.

Mass Timber has other substantial benefits for offsetting emissions. Due to prefabrication at millimetre precision, buildings can be constructed faster (25% faster according to ThinkWood) , which can result in 90% less construction traffic.

Current proposed energy efficiency changes for the National Construction Code 2022 include, amongst other things, an increase in the minimum thermal performance of homes from six to seven stars.

The seven-star standard will reduce heating and cooling energy for new housing by about 24%, slashing energy bills. Currently, less than 5% of new housing in Australia is built to achieve seven or more stars. Mass timber is a good natural insulator with 10 times the thermal insulating ability of concrete and masonry, and 400 times that of solid steel.

www.timberbiz.com.au

But let’s not wait for policy changes – we need to reduce emissions, increase the amount of CO2 our buildings are storing, and improve energy efficiency urgently.

Wood is the only material sufficiently abundant and renewable to do the job.

REFERENCES

1 Skarbek, A Malos, A, 2021, The Morrison government is set to finally announce a 2050 net-zero commitment. Here’s a ‘to do’ list for each sector, The conversation.

2 Moore et al 2021, Better building standards are good for the climate, your health, and your wallet. Here’s what the National Construction Code could do better, The Conversation.

3 Bently, R Baker, E, 2020, Mould and damp health costs are about 3 times those of sugary drinks. We need a healthy housing agenda, The Conversation.

4 ArchitectureAU Editorial, 2021, Mass timber office building designed to be Tasmania’s greenest, Architecture Media.

5 Puettmann et al, 2019, Life Cycle Energy and Environmental

Impacts of Cross Laminated Timber Made with Coustal Douglasfir, Journal of Green Building.

6 Pierobon et al, 2019, Environmental benefits of using hybrid CLT structure midrise nonresidential construction: An LCA based comparatives case study in the US Pacific Northwest, Jour-

nal of Building Engineering.

7 Howden, M 2020, Australia’s refusal to sign a global methane pledge exposes flaws in the term ‘net-zero’, The Conversation.

8 Whiting, K 2020, An expert explains: How to turn industrial carbon emissions into building materials, The Mandarin.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

• Above: The interior of

St Lukes Health’s soon to be constructed office building in Launceston Tasmania.

Opposite page: The exterior of the Launceston building.

Pictures: Terroir

•

9

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The finished product has not only met, but exceeded our expectations.

With the minimal footprint of the PackFeeder, the accuracy, speed and reliability of the Razer V5, the speed and efficiency of the Material Conveyor system, and the overall support by this team we are extremely pleased with the outcome.

Josh Wright V.P. of Manufacturing The Truss Company, USA With 15+ years experience, Vekta specialises in creating automated factory solutions based on your objectives, space requirements and budget. The Truss Company’s customised solution focused on flexibility with two Razer V5’s and two PackFeeders sharing a common nine KickOff Conveyor System. If the key to business success is selecting the right partner- the key to automation is choosing Vekta.

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PRESERVATION

Turning up the heat to preserve timber H OW did the wooden

Viking ships endure the corrosive effects of salt water? Nordic seafarers used to treat their wood with fire.

Our contemporary understanding of thermally modified wood comes from the Finns who established thermal modification technology in the 1990s. So what exactly is thermally modified wood?

In a nutshell, it is wood that has been made exceedingly more durable by modifying it with heat.

In addition to increasing its durability, thermal modification adds a number of properties to the wood that make it a highly sought-after building material. With improved dimensional stability, the wood will stop reacting to changes in humidity, which is why it is an excellent material for exterior cladding, decking, saunas and underfloor heating. The wood simply absorbs less moisture than unmodified wood; it has a reduced risk of mildew and mould, and it endures heat better. All this while retaining the natural properties of wood with several improved features, including a beautifully deep and even tone.

Like baking bread Thermal modification is a bit like baking bread. The process takes place in a

• Above: Australian Timbers’ Deeon Otto and Gavin Carmody with a sample of the Thermory treated timber.

• Right: Thermory cladding both treated and untreated which has been left exposed to the sun.

specially designed oven – a thermokiln, where sensors send information into computers that are constantly monitored by thermal modification specialists.

In order to assure the highest quality, Thermory uses a special thermal modification formula, which is the result of 15 years of hard work and experience. However, all thermal modification producers follow the same principle: within max 48 hours the temperature of the wood is raised up to 215 degrees, reducing the equilibrium moisture content, which is followed by a cooling process. No chemi-

cals are used in the process, only heat and steam.

Deeon Otto from Australian Timbers in Adelaide, which began importing Thermory timber in 2019, said the cooking period caramelizes the sugars in the sap.

“And the sap is the item which is set susceptible to two things; bacteria equals rot and insects equal termite.

“So by cooking it, you avoid the attractiveness of the timber to both those vulnerabilities.”

ASH AND PINE The most commonly used timber is ash and pine. Thermory Ash has a rich chocolate colour. Thermory Pine is more honey-coloured. Expo-

sure to sunlight also has an effect on the colour of thermally modified wood: just like unmodified wood, it will turn silver-grey without regular protective maintenance.

Thermory wood is an environmentally friendly and eye-catching material with enhanced properties that is excellent for both interior and exterior use, in homes as well as in public spaces, all thanks to its high durability.

The timber can be oiled, or left natural in which case it goes silver.

“So you can preserve the colour if you choose,” Deeon said.

“The ash, interestingly, silver’s more than the pine.

“And the appeal for a lot of designers now is we can offer a product that is a plantation species, generally not durable, that is now turned into a durable product.”

Innovation.

Innovation,

Koppers Performance Chemicals has dedicated research and development facilities around the world that combine to provide innovative treated timber solutions. Innovation extends to the most powerful treatment plant control system that can handle multiple treatment types and new generation multicomponent preservative systems.

Strength.

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We don’t just provide quality timber preservation solutions, we back it with engineering knowledge and capability, highly trained and experienced customer representatives and market development services.

Dependability.

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Koppers Performance Chemicals has its own production facilities in Australia and in New Zealand that ensure that products are delivered in time to service customers around Australia. Our state of the art production facilities and a company wide focus on safety aim to deliver quality products safely at all times. Our friendly staff are on-hand to assist.

For more information and to discuss your treatment plant needs, call Nick Livanes on 0408 660 434 or visit www.kopperspc.com.au Koppers® is a registered trademarks of Koppers Inc. or its subsidiaries. © 2021 Koppers Performance Chemicals Australia Pty Ltd.

12

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

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MILL TECHNOLOGY

How to ensure your choice of Linear Saw is a ‘cut’ above the rest I [ɪnˈvɛs(t) m(ə)nt] NOUN: a thing that is worth buying because it may be profitable or useful in the future.

Automating your truss and frame plant is an investment in your business and your future. Today, the Australian market has the benefit of having a number of linear saw suppliers all claiming their automation will improve safety and increase the efficiency of your plant. As a consumer, how can you capitalise on this choice? Simple- ask questions and put the onus onto the machinery supplier to provide answers that are correct, truthful and, where practical, can be demonstrated. Here are some key questions to help guide your decision making process:

configured to your needs- it shouldn’t be the other way around. Material flow, size, location of waste bins, dust extraction- all of these should suit both your factory and your manufacturing process.

mising and systems must be tailored to the unique needs and concerns of each plant.

You should be in full control of how the optimising works and what the outcome is.

Minimising waste and cost is important but these need to be achieved while also directly matching your production processes. A poor cutting order can easily negate savings in timber- make sure your supplier has the tools and flexibility necessary to do the job properly.

How can optimisation be structured to work with my existing operations? Do I need to be a mathematician to understand optimisation?

The optimisation of members to reduce waste and cost is a key feature of all modern, automated sawing systems.

To actually benefit from optimisation it is imperative your linear saw is set-up by a competent, experienced Engineer who understands the unique needs of your manufacturing processes, setup and business. Would your production be improved by combining members together on a truss-by-truss basis only? Or by combining a few trusses together? Perhaps it’s by optimising like members together– in a batch cutting operation? There isn’t a onesize-fits-all approach to opti-

What should my yearly maintenance budget be?

Who can maintain the saw?

How quickly can I get spare parts and consumables to my site?

When you invest in a linear saw, it can very easily become the cornerstone of your factory. If your saw stops, the entire factory stops. So make sure you fully understand what your options are when it comes to maintaining, servicing and repairing your equipment. Where are replacement parts held, and are they all in stock? How long will it take for them to get to you in a pinch- and not just the most common components- what happens if something odd fails? Who can do repairs to the equipment? What tools and training are available to your staff or local contractors

NVE STME NT:

Floor space is valuablecan I configure a system to suit my factory? Here’s my available space- how would you recommend I use it?

To say these questions are vital is an understatement.

You need to ensure your equipment supplier has an in-depth understanding of not only your space requirement- but how it’s used. Your linear saw needs to IMPROVE your workflow, not simply fit into your factory. Put the onus on your supplier to make sure the equipment is

o s

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to enable them to complete services and repairs? What online resources are available for your staff? What does the support network look like and when is remote support available?

Don’t be afraid to ask how much on average customers spend on support and maintenance as there can be a very big difference between suppliers- a factor often overlooked. Ongoing maintenance and support is critical. Make sure you have as much control over your own circumstances as possible and then make sure that when you need help from the supplier, you know what it’s going to cost and how long it will take.

Finally, some general things to consider- What skill level do my operators need? How much money and time will I need to spend to keep my operators up to date? The

answers to these questions lie in the software of the machinery. A simple program that is user friendly, able to be controlled from a number of different platforms and is designed for the most basic operator to be able to use, are all key factors to consider.

It is important your provider regularly updates their software to ensure your machine has access to new, innovative features that will ensure your investment keeps you at the leading edge for many years to come .

If you are looking at buying a linear saw- you need to ask the questions and more importantly, compare the answers- is it really an investment if you make the wrong choice? You want to ensure your definition of investment reads- a thing worth buying because it IS profitable AND useful NOW and into the FUTURE!

THE CHOICE IS YOURS. Following the awarding of a Global GreenRate Level A certification, MicroPro Wood Treatment Technology has recently been awarded a GoldHEALTH rating with its recently published Global GreenTag Level A Product Health Declaration™ (PhD™).

The GreenTag PhD is the first health transparency tool in the world to assess human health concerns directly, rating the health impacts of a final product – and not just the hazards of a product’s ingredients.

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on 1800 088 809 MicroPro® is a registered trademark of Koppers Inc. or its subsidiaries. MicroPro® timber products are produced by independently owned and operated wood preserving facilities. © 2020 Koppers Performance Chemicals Australia Pty Ltd. Global GreenRate, GoldHEALTH, Global GreenTag and GreenTag PhD are regsitered trademarks operated under licence by Global GreenTag Pty Ltd.

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AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

13

TRAINING

Industry, academia and government join forces for research and training F ROM its base at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life takes a national and international approach.

Aside from the support of FWPA, other significant investing partners include the University of Queensland (UQ) and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF).

“During the past three years, the Centre has made great inroads in working with industry to ensure Australia has access to the world’s leading research and best practice, while building strong links between industry, academia and customers,” said FWPA Acting CEO Dr Chris Lafferty.

“The centre has made exceptional progress in engaging research partners and initiating a range of new research projects, despite the disruption caused over the last two years by COVID-19.”

A major goal announced by the Centre upon its launch in 2017 was the development of a predictive, evidence-based model to enable architects and building specifiers to choose the right timber for the right task more easily, accurately forecasting structural performance and design life.

This goal represents an extension of earlier work conducted by the CSIRO, resulting in the development of a model that, although groundbreaking, lacked robust data. The Centre is therefore involved with numerous research projects and field trials to add extra data, while also encouraging other owners of industry statistics to share and help strengthen the model.

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14

SETTING THE RESEARCH AGENDA The team has orchestrated a range of stakeholder meetings at premises across the country to discuss the Centre’s operations, objectives and projects with key industry stakeholders, as well as to answer questions and identify pressing research priorities.

These consultations have guided the initiation of more than 20 exciting new research projects.

Research to date has focused on treated wood quality, fire impact, timber field performance, termite biology, moisture behaviour, coatings performance and much more.

IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIPS Since the Centre’s launch, the team has established a number of key industry partnerships, including a cooperative project with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) under the National Institute for Forest Products (NIFPI) program, to evaluate methods for enhancing the durability of plantation and native forest hardwoods.

In addition, the Centre has partnered with the NIFPI Hub at the University of South Australia (UniSA) on a treatability assessment of the pine resource across Australia. A preliminary trial has already been conducted, and test samples are now being prepared for a full-scale trial that will aim to provide a roadmap for treatability of the Australian softwood resource.

The UniSA/NIFPI partnership has also resulted in work to determine the validity of the current machine graded pine (MGP) grading system. The treatment trials provide an opportunity to utilise some of this resource to provide further information to timber producers.

Meanwhile, a partnership with UQ was established and chemical engineer Dr Luis Yerman.

Dr Yerman has completed a research project exploring the effects of repeated moisture cycling on connector capacity and is currently working on a larger study to examine the effects of fungal attack on nail performance. The results of this work will help building surveyors to assess the impacts of wetting and fungal attack on connectors.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

• Research to date

has focused on treated wood quality, fire impact, timber field performance, termite biology, moisture behaviour, coatings performance and much more.

Elsewhere, a three-year research plan was developed with DAF, resulting in a new field test site being established at the Maroochy Research Facility in Nambour. Data collected during field trials at this site will be used to improve upon the CSIRO service-life prediction models when it comes to various timber materials used for outdoor applications that are above ground and exposed to the weather.

This work also includes the testing of a wide range of new preservatives and preservative-treated composites, involving more than 8,000 test pieces.

The results will help determine if these newer materials are fit for purpose under Australian conditions.

The Centre’s DAF partnership has also resulted in research into: • the marine performance of new treatments • moisture intrusion in mass timber buildings • accelerated decay resistance testing • the performance of utility poles • above-ground decking performance • the potential for using portable X-ray fluorescence analysers for the rapid field assessment of preservative retentions.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE In addition to its focus on conducting and supporting research, the Centre has hosted multiple industry workshops on a variety of topics, with presentations given by local and international experts. Staff have also presented at various industry conferences and contributed knowledge towards several peer-reviewed papers.

The Centre hopes to host the Society of Wood Science and Technology meeting in July 2022. This meeting will bring together more than 250 wood scientists from around the world.

In 2023, the Centre will host the International Research Group on Wood Protection meeting in Cairns and will partner with UQ to host the 2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering in Brisbane. Bringing these international events to Australia will highlight the many important activities underway domestically. www.timberbiz.com.au

DECKING

Spoiled for choice in timber selection for decking A TIMB E R decking makes for an elegant addition to any home, be it on a veranda, poolside or delivering a dream backyard.

The natural warmth and tone of wood adds a timeless quality that has been incorporated into housing design for generations. Today, a timber decking is as popular as ever and those among us with DIY-capabilities will find it a worthwhile endeavour – and let’s face it, we’ve all had some downtime for projects in 2020.

In Australia, we have a range of timber options for decking—all of which are beautiful to look at, and with responsible maintenance and treatment, as well as correct design and fixings at the outset, provide excellent longevity.

These six timber species represent some of the most popular choices for decking in Australia. It’s important to remember, however, that species’ popularity and availability will vary according to state, while some wood types are better suited to certain climates than others and also vary in durability.

Best of all, you will be doing the environment some good - sustainably sourced, certified wood is actually a renewable and recyclable resource.

Importantly, timber acts as a carbon store, giving it an important role to play in reducing carbon emissions.

JARRAH Many would say that jarrah is the Rolls Royce of decking timbers, especially those who have it and sell it! In terms of aesthetic allure, jarrah is close to top of the range, with the wood’s colour ranging from warm dark browns to dazzlingly rich reds, complemented by the wavy lines of interlocking grains.

Jarrah offers good natural resistance to rot, making it ideal for decking (particularly in humid regions with lots of rain). Furthermore, such is jarrah’s strength and durability that it is often used for the construction of wharves and bridges and for damn goodlooking railway sleepers.

Growing in the southwest corner of Western Australia, www.timberbiz.com.au

jarrah is now considered a classic Australian timber and is popular across the country.

age; this is in part to its natural oils. It is also recognised as a bushfire-resistant hardwood.

Merbau offers strength and stability and importantly, durability—this wood is also particularly easy to saw and prepare for decking. Therefore, merbau is a low-maintenance timber, which has the potential to save time and money in the long term.

TREATED PINE Treated pine is an extremely popular species, particularly with outdoor applications, due to its reputation for versatility. It’s also one of the least expensive options for decking.

One of the most attractive features of this wood type is the fact it takes paint and oil with such ease, ensuring that an array of colours is possible for your decking. Treated pine is pressure-treated spe-

TALL TIMBER International real estate leader Hines will begin construction next year of the tallest timber building in Melbourne - a 15 level project in Wellington Street Collingwood.

Hines local Construction Manager Jo Lees will explain the company’s Hines global T3 strategy for prefabricated mass wood construction – Timber Transit & Technology - at the Timber Offsite Construction conference in June next year, just prior to the Collingwood project site commencement.

CHAIN OF CUSTODY Responsible Wood has published a Transition Policy for Chain of Custody certificate holders and certification bodies.

The new standard supersedes AS 4707:2014 and is the Australian adoption of the PEFC International Chain of Custody Standard PEFC ST 2002:2020.

Although there is nothing certificate holders need to do in the shortterm, as the standard has a 10-month transition period, from August 14, 2022, audits will need to be against the requirements in the 2021 standard.

• Blackbutt decking and, below, a Jarrah deck.

BLACKBUTT The much-admired blackbutt grows on the east coast from southern New South Wales to southern Queensland. One of its key advantages is its resistance to bushfires, hence its popularity in areas that have a higher BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating. Blackbutt is also one of the hardwoods that the Victorian Building Commission has deemed suitable for home construction on some BAL rated sites (although it should be noted that BAL requirements are subject to change).

Blackbutt is a particularly robust, durable timber, and with proper care, it can endure harsh and prolonged weathering. While many people choose the wood simply because of its pale brown colour, verging on yellow, it can also be easily stained if desired, or left to weather to an attractive silver-grey.Merbau Merbau is native to Asia and offers a shade of deep-brown or a red-tinged brown, and has a reputation for an appearance that improves with

BRIEFS

cifically to resist the onset of decay, fungi and to repel termites.

Because of the affordable price of treated pine, it is often chosen for large areas of decking. It’s also a lightweight softwood, which makes it a good option for the ‘weekend warrior’ who wants to install their decking on their own, DIY style. If you are doing it own your own, it’s important that treated pine’s cut ends are re-sealed with an appropriate preservative agent to ensure the wood remains protected.

SPOTTED GUM ‘Spotted gum’ refers to four species of timber that grow from as far south as the Victoria/New South Wales border to the southern end of Queensland. Spotted gum is another option for people who need to consider a BAL rating.

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

FPC CHAIR MS Debra Blaskett has been appointed as the new Chair of Western Australia’s Forest Products Commission.

She was previously an executive at Perth Airport where she was responsible for Corporate Services including risk, governance, safety, environment, people and culture, and corporate affairs.

FWPA BOARD AN experienced construction specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry for 38 years has been to the Forest & Wood Products Australia Board.

Brisbane-based Yvonne Pengilly was elected at the FWPA’s online AGM and Stephen Dadd, Katie Fowden and Craig Taylor were all reappointed to the board.

Ms Pengilly holds a Bachelor of Technology (Engineering) and has worked within the construction industry.

15

ASSOCIATIONS FRAME & TRUSS MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA

FTMA Australia is an independent, national organisation representing fabricators of and suppliers to the timber prefabricated truss and wall frame industry in all Australian states & territories providing a unified voice, to protect and advance our multi-billion dollar industry.

FTMA Australia thanks our dedicated supporters and encourages you to support those who support your industry GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

For a full list of the conditions of membership and a downloadable application form visit: www.ftmanews.com.au 16

Carbon Warrior –

creating a greener future

I

Carbon Warrior - a project created by the Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association of Australia (FTMA) to help tackle the fight against climate change.

Together, building operations and construction account for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO2 emission.

Studies show that by using renewable materials, the building and construction industry can significantly reduce this number and help slow down the effects of climate change.

Carbon Warrior aims to help Create a Greener Future.

How? By minimising the negative impacts, the building and construction sector has on climate change.

This project will show the urgency and importance of climate action within the built environment.

One of the easiest ways you can make a difference is through the choice of materials and currently timber is the most prominent and versatile building material that provides an answer to the climate crisis.

In fact, according to the UNEP’s International Resources Panel, emissions from the material cycle of residential buildings in the G7 and China could be reduced by at least 80 per cent in 2050 through a series of material efficiency strategies.

FTMA created this project after the GlobalABC Roadmap for Buildings and Construction (2020-2050), a document created by the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), International Energy Agency (IEA), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) listed one of the key actions to support a zero-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector as: Governments and industry coalitions should craft narratives that promote good practices, such as the use of digital information systems for building operations and energy use, effective data collection, or the use of traditional low-carbon materials.

Through the Carbon Warrior project, FTMA will address this key action, as the project aims to craft a narrative that promotes the use of traditional low-carbon materials,

NIKITA GENTLE Carbon Warrior Project Manager

N T RO D UC I N G

“We support you!”

i.e., timber. Through mainly the use of social media, particularly Instagram, the project aims to broaden the awareness of the benefits of bio-based materials, particularly timber. The Carbon Warrior social media accounts will post facts and case studies from around the world that highlight the importance of timber in the fight against climate change.

Across the world, timber is being recognised for its ability to fight climate change.

At the recent COP26, many architects spoke about the importance of using timber in construction now and in the future.

This month, the city of Amsterdam signed the Green Deal Timber Construction, which mandates that 20% of all new housing projects in the Dutch capital must be constructed with wood or other biobased materials from 2025.

It is intended that by increasing the use of timber in the city’s construction projects, reliance on steel and concrete will be reduced, both of which emit substantial amounts of CO2. As a result, the city of Amsterdam is predicted to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

To meet the agreement and qualify as a timber building, a detached house would have to be constructed with at least 80 per cent timber or bio-based materials. For multistorey housing up to 10 storeys, this is reduced to 65 per cent, while multistorey housing over 10 storeys must contain at least 50 per cent.

According to the Amsterdam Institute of Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute) this move will lead to an annual reduction of approximately 220,000 tons

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

of CO2 (equivalent to the average emissions of 22,000 households).

Last year, the French government unveiled plans for a sustainability law that will require all new public buildings to be constructed with at least 50% wood or other natural materials.

The decision to introduce the sustainability law encouraging the use of bio-based materials was launched by the construction of the 2024 Paris Olympics complex, where any building in the development that rises more than eight storeys will be built entirely from timber.

“We made this commitment for the Olympic Games,” French Minister Denormandie said, reported Le Figaro.

“There is no reason why what is possible for the Olympic Games should not be possible for the usual constructions.”

The City of Helsinki in Finland has wood requirements in several district zoning projects.

The district zone of Honkasuo is a new community that utilises wood to the fullest as all local buildings are made of wood – now and in the future.

Another zoning regulation in requires buildings to have a primarily wooden structure and to apply the principles of low-energy construction.

Additionally, Helsinki has built ‘Wood City’, a new sustainable urban quarter in Jätkäsaari Helsinki, that has formed almost entirely with timber. Wood City combines Finnish wood construction with sustainable design and includes two residential buildings, an office building, a hotel (to be completed in 2023) and a parking garage.

Carbon Warrior will shine a light on different projects and initiatives, like the ones mentioned above, that show the significance of timber when tackling the climate crisis.

The biggest investment an average person will make in their life is their house, but did you know, the biggest impact a person can have on climate change is also their house.

So be a carbon warrior, choose renewable materials.

More information about on how to be involved in the Carbon Warrior project will be available soon. www.timberbiz.com.au

ASSOCIATIONS

Mitigating underpayments and the risks that follow are generally reserved for those in a managerial position.

Each classification level has a particular base ordinary rate of pay rate, which means that if an employer has classified an individual as a level 1 employee, when they are in fact a level 3 employee under the Award, there will be an inadvertent underpayment.

Employers should regularly assess the day-to-day duties a staff member is performing in consideration of the employee levels as defined in the GRIA.

T

HE main causes of underpay-

ments for those under the General Retail Industry Award (GRIA) can be attributed to the following: • Annual salaries; • Misclassification of employee levels; and • Inaccurate time and record keeping.

In 2019, a grocery store in Australia was investigated by the Fair Work Ombudsman (“FWO”) and was alleged to have owed at least $713,395 in unpaid staff wages. This particular case was in relation to salaried staff members.

ing, an employee cannot be ‘worse off’ receiving an annual salary than they would have, had they been paid an hourly rate pursuant to the applicable award.

Often employers believe an annual salary leaves an employee better off, however, employees often work overtime and public holidays which entitles them to higher rates of pay, which is often not factored into the employANNUAL SALARIES ee’s annual salary and can inadvertWhilst employers often choose to pay ently result in an underpayment. their staff members an annual salary as opposed to the relevant hourly rates of MISCLASSIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES pay under the applicable award, they Another common factor that results often forget to revisit the employee’s in businesses inadvertently underpaysalary on a yearly basis or consolidate ing staff members is that they have the salary with any overtime worked not classified their employees’ levels by the employee. correctly. Under the GRIA, there are 8 Businesses must ensure that an ememployee levels. Level 1 to 3 involves ployee’s salary is at least equal to their general sales assistant duties, forkminimum entitlements under the GRIA lift operations etc. whilst levels 4 to 8 (or any other applicable award), mean-

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TIME AND RECORD-KEEPING Working in a busy environment, staff members can be required to stay back to assist with stock or customer support. This can result in entitlement to penalty rates, and additional or overtime payments. It is therefore vital for a business to ensure that they are complying with all their record keeping obligations in the Fair Work Act in keeping a record of the hours that their employee’s work and also ensuring any additional payments or overtime are paid.

The Fair Work Act requires employers to keep records of including but not limited to: • Overtime; • Hours of work; • Pay records; • Superannuation contributions; • Annual wage arrangements; • Leave; and • Averaging hours.

In light of wage theft recently becoming criminalised in Victoria and Queensland, it is crucial for businesses to seek legal advice and rectify any underpayments that have been identified.

MGA TMA members should contact our Legal and IR team on 1800 888 479 for further queries in relation to underpayments and how they can be avoided.

MGA TMA will continue to be available to assist our members over the Christmas & New Year period (with the exception of Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s day public holidays).

We wish everyone a happy and safe Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Take the lead in informing our industry’s skills ForestWorks is looking for your feedback on skills standards projects in: • Timber and wood products processes (pre-employment, process operator and supervisor skills)

Contact us to register your interest or call: 03 9321 3500

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

17

ASSOCIATIONS australasian

Looking Back 2019 IT is important to get the timber industry’s contribution to rural and regional communities, as well as the national economy, into the debate about the industry, according to the Assistant Minister for Forestry Senator Jonathon Duniam.

Speaking at an Australian Forest Products Association members’ dinner at Old Parliament House in Canberra, Senator Duniam said the timber industry was an essential part of community and economies in regional Australia.

2016 COMPOSITE FLOORING systems consisting of cross laminated timber with reinforced concrete have significant potential for use in multi-storey buildings such as offices, hospitals and schools throughout Australia, according to a leader within the engineered timber sector in Australia.

Following tests in the US in which a flooring system involving a cross layered timber deck topped with a thin layer of reinforced concrete was shown to support loads of around eight times what is required by code in that country, XLam technical manager Nick Hewson says there are opportunities to use similar types of systems in Australia.

2011 STORA ENSO plans to undertake a unique wooden construction project in Finland called Wood City in collaboration with the construction company SRV. A proposal that a site in the Jätkäsaari district of Helsinki be reserved for Stora Enso Oyj and SRV Yhtiöt Oyj was submitted to the Real Estate Board of the City of Helsinki. The aim is to create a worldclass project in which engineering skills can be taught in a practical way and to develop wood architecture.

The extraordinary city to be built of wood includes office, hotel and commercial buildings. The first buildings are expected to be completed in 2013.

18

What you need to know about contractor safety I T is not unusual for mem-

bers of TTIA to engage contractors for specific or short term jobs.

In fact, some figures estimate that more than 1 million Australians work as contractors. Contractors are hired because of their specific skill set, as well the need not to offer ongoing engagement and be subject to unfair dismissal processes. Put simply, its often easier to terminate the contract.

Where many employers hit a problem is the understanding of who is responsible for their workplace health and safety. During my time at TTIA, I can recall two nasty incidents in particular, where our member was seriously affected by contractor workplace accidents.

The first involved a contract log truck which delivered logs to our mill member who failed to have their load strapped and loaded safely.

During the unloading process, some of the load fell on the driver and resulted in serious injury. In this case, the safety regulators deemed both parties responsible and prosecuted both the contactor and the mill owner.

The second incident also involved a mill owner who had a tradesman performing maintenance on the kiln. The contactor was not properly secured and fell into the kiln.

Once again, a lengthy prosecution followed, court costs and fines then followed and incident came close to closing the mill.

The advent of manslaughter legislation being implemented by state governments only further adds to the imperative business needs to apply to the safety protocols involving contractors.

The fact that contractors have a reduced understanding of your safety management systems and are not trained or supervised in the same manner, highlights the potential for workplace hazards to have serious ramifications if an incident arises.

IS YOUR BUSINESS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTRACTOR SAFETY? The law considers contractors can be considered both PCBUs (person conducting a

business or undertaking) and workers. The harmonised legislation had a clear intent to make it impossible to ‘contract’ out of health and safety by engaging contractors or labour hire workers. Contractors, however, may also engage other workers, and so they need their own health and safety systems. If you hire contractors, you must make sure they have safety systems in place, because you are still responsible for workers employed by that contractor.

A contractor may hire a subcontractor, who may also hire a sub-contractor, and that may happen several more times. The PCBU with overall ownership or control of the workplace remains the primary ‘duty holder’. Therefore, it is critically important to manage contractors.

If you use contractors, you must ensure they are suitably qualified for the task. This is easier said than done. For most employers in the tim-

ber products industry you are probably engaging a contractor because you are not an expert.

DUTY OF CARE TOWARD CONTRACTORS You will need to ask, • Do they have the correct licences?

• Do they have a safe system of work (written)?

• Do they have workers compensation and public liability insurance?

• Do they have a risk assessment process?

• Did you carry out a safety induction and are they familiar with your WHS policies and procedures before they start work.

Remember to show them the emergency exits, first aid area, emergency assembly point, and your requirements for incident reporting.

CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES It’s not all one-way traffic.

Contractors have a duty of care while on site to their own employees (if not alone) plus

AUSTRALASIAN TIMBER December 2021

everyone else at the workplace. They should ensure their work does not place others at risk.

A Contractor should also demonstrate their own safety management system, discuss with business any WHS risks, and comply with relevant contract specific WHS requirements.

MAKE CONTRACTOR SAFETY PART OF YOUR BUSINESS The key point of this article is to highlight there is a definite mutual responsibility and liability in relation to the use of contactors by a business in a WHS sense. There needs to be a thorough consultation and communication process between both parties due to these dual responsibilities.

As a business owner in an industry that presents its fair share of inherent dangers, make sure if you see a contactor engaging in unsafe practices, you tell them.

Don’t just rely solely on the contractor to identify and manage hazards. www.timberbiz.com.au

S i f p

Successful pilots influence the future of industry practices

DELIVERING PRECISION Vekta‘s Interior and Exterior StakPros are designed to increase your production and improve safety.Why have many hands lifting trusses when one operator can do the job by using only a remote control!

Vekta‘s Interior StakPro is designed to suit your truss jig system. With heavy duty caster wheels and a guided rail mount you can put the StakPro where you need it! The Exterior StakPro has adjustable feet allowing the machine to adapt to your site and manufacturing processes.

With the PRESS of a button the StakPro will LIFT the finished truss out of the jig and STACK it on a trolley. Clever!

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