News

The Victorian Auditor-Generals Office (VAGO) has tabled their report into the Compliance with Building Permits conducted in the second half of 2011.

Each year, the Victorian Auditor-General presents to Parliament an annual plan, which describes the proposed work program for the coming year.

Australian Standard AS 5414 for Bushfire water spray systems was released earlier today as a public draft for consultation.

This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee FP-024 and sets out the general requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of water spray systems intended to provide a degree of building protection against bushfire ember attack.

Very recently a good friend of mine was severely burned, by hot water from a hot water bottle that ruptured.

One of his requests while hospitalised is to get the message out about the hidden dangers of hot water bottles.

According to Peter Kjell1 of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) there are over 200 similar reported incidents throughout Australia every year.

This is a startling statistic, one that I have never heard before. Given how common this danger is, I thought I would post this quick article on our web site, where the issue can be more widely circulated.

• 1. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - Product Safety Australia (Hot Water Bottles, The Hidden Dangers)

Earlier today I received correspondence from Workplace Access & Safety, a contractor who carries out the periodic inspection of roof anchors and static lines.

Roof Anchors and Static Lines are often requires as part of a fall prevention strategy required under state workplace health and safety legislation.