Code of practice: infrastructure in road reserves

Road Management Act 2004 - Code of Practice: Management of Infrastructure in Road Reserves.
As members may be aware, this act provides for codes of practice to be made to support the Act, and provide practical guidance for road management by road authorities and the conduct of work within road reserves by works managers, infrastructure managers and providers of public transport.
One such code was the Code of Practice for Management of Road and Utility Infrastructure in Road Reserves, which started operation on 1 January 2005. Following a recent review of this code by the Utilities Infrastructure Reference Panel to incorporate provisions that recognise the importance of public transport as a priority use of the road reserve, a new code has been made by the Minister for Roads and Ports and published in the Government Gazette, being the:
Code of Practice for Management of Infrastructure in Road Reserves (the Code) Government Gazette Special Edition No. S 269, dated Monday, 6 October 2008.
This new Code replaces the original Code of Practice for Management of Road and Utility Infrastructure in Road Reserves, which is now revoked.
The main changes to the code see the inclusion of a new Division 3 Works affecting Public Transport Infrastructure and Services into each of the existing Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 of the original code.
A copy of the new code may be obtained by contacting Alan Collins, network policy manager, Vic Roads, 03 9854 2894.
Employing or engaging a person who is suitably qualified to provide OH&S advice
Employers are expected to take a proactive approach to identify and control hazards in the workplace before they cause an incident, injury, illness or disease.
Some employers may control the OH&S risks in their workplace by building in-house OH&S skills and getting help and advice from a range of sources such as the CCF, WorkSafes Advisory Service, inspectors, published guidance, compliance codes and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007.
However, there may be times when the employers knowledge of OH&S and the circumstances in their workplace mean that further expertise is required to control the risks.
WorkSafe has now released a position document that details how WorkSafe will apply the law in relation to employing or engaging suitably qualified persons to provide health and safety advice.
The document sets out WorkSafes position on the meaning of section 22(2)(b) in the context of duty holders meeting their obligations under Part 3 of the OHS Act.
Part 3 (sections 21 to 23) of the OH&S Act places duties on employers to ensure health and safety.
Section 22(2)(b) provides that employers must, so far as is reasonably practicable, employ or engage persons who are suitably qualified in relation to occupational health and safety to provide advice to the employer concerning the health and safety of employees of the employer.
To obtain a copy of the publication please contact Peter Fisher, CCF OH&S Field Officer on 0417 616886.
Geotechnical information for VicRoads projects
At a recent meeting with senior officers of VicRoads, CCF representatives expressed concerns about the reduced level of geotechnical information being provided with larger contracts and related issues such as being able to access sites and undertake testing. This is of particular concern given the level of risk the contractor is expected to take on.
At the last meeting with VicRoads officers held on the 16th October, VicRoads advised that their contract administrators have been requested to ensure that an adequate level of geotechnical information is provided for tendering purpose.
Where Members experience problems in relation to the level of geotechnical information provided, they should not hesitate to inform me at bseiffert@civilcontractors.com