Victoria Report - July 2010

Leadership proposal
OAMPS has indicated it is prepared to fund a leadership program. So we are calling for submissions and expressions of interest.
The intent of the leadership proposal is to encourage and identify the next generation of civil contractor leaders. We are proposing to lift the capability of the sector and to continue to improve practices and to share possible innovations with the sector. We also consider that such an opportunity will enable productivity improvements as well as aiding in the building of better communities.
The proposal is to offer a $15,000 scholarship to various overseas destinations, to network with international colleagues engaged in similar work and observe and exchange ideas to improve the current knowledge base within the Victorian/Australian civil construction sector.
There is the opportunity to join the MEF’s current study program where awardees travel to the American Public Works Congress and are required to make contact, engage and discuss with local municipalities in the US and Britain.
The plan is for 2 municipality visits in San Francisco, 2 visits in the Toronto area, 1 visit around Boston and 3 visits in Britain.
Expectations and conditions of the award would be:
Leadership programs will explore both the road and water sectors to further enhance the opportunities and diversity of engagement for both civil contractors and the sponsor.
Election of branch officers, board members
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has advised that the timetable for the annual branch elections is as follows:
Nominations open on Wednesday June 30 and close at 12 noon on Wednesday July 21. The ballot opens on Wednesday August 11 and closes on Wednesday September 1.
A copy of a notice calling for nominations and a nomination form will be sent by the AEC to all members on Wednesday June 23, 2010.
Helen Marshal - FSC announces retirement
As some of you may be aware, I am an Adelaide girl (go the Crows!) and have always intended to return to my home state. A two year stint in Canberra turned into 13. My husband and I purchased a house at Port Willunga earlier in the year and we are both very excited about moving to our new home (on the beach and five minutes from McLaren Vale wineries - what more could we want!). My last day as FSC will be Wednesday 30 June.
My role at FSC has been extremely rewarding, interesting and enjoyable and I am so glad to be in a position where I can leave the public service with such positive memories. I've particularly enjoyed establishing relationships with industry stakeholders and will really miss this aspect of the job. I know for a fact I will never pass a construction site again without checking out the safety practices. I envisage an announcement will be made shortly about the arrangements for a new FSC.
Keep your spotters qualification current
Is your ESV spotter’s ticket near expiry? Retain your currency as a qualified spotter by attending a 4 hour refresher course. Expired spotter tickets out of the ESV grace period of 12 weeks, will need to attend a full day spotter course to regain the qualification.
The next half-day course is in Hawthorn on Monday August 2 from 8.30am to 12.30pm. The cost is $145 + GST if you are a member and $175 + GST if you are not.
Participants who satisfactorily meet all the requirements of Energy Safe Victoria will receive an ESV spotters Card (valid for 3 years) and be re-registered on the ESV database.
Phone Marie on 9819 5170 to book or fax a completed registration form to 9819 6098. Please provide evidence of current level 2 first aid and CPR at the time of booking.
Confined space awareness
Do you or your employees work within confined spaces? Specifically that is any space with physically restricted entry/exit points, unsafe atmospheric contaminants, stored substances or abnormal atmospheric pressures.
Employers and employees have responsibilities under the regulations specific to the safety of all with entering, working in or exiting confined spaces. Employees with supervisory responsibilities and those responsible for the site safety management of worksites, need to understand the overall WorkSafe requirements with regards to confined spaces.
Confined spaces create unique OH&S problems because the hazards present may not be obvious. This 1 day course is of paramount importance to all employees who manage or oversee any
operations involving confined spaces.
Course objective
To supplement practical confined space entry training by:

• Identifying where and when a trench, shaft or tunnel may become a confined space;
• Gaining awareness of company and individual responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, including OH&S regulations 2007 and relevant legal obligations and legislation.

We will hold a 1 day confined space awareness course in Hawthorn on Thursday July 22 from 8.30am to 4.30pm at a cost of $195 + GST for members and $240 + GST for non members.
If you are interested complete the registration form and fax to 9819 6098 or phone Marie on 9819 5170 to book.
Internal auditor course
This course enables participants to gain auditing skills and strategies to verify the compliance of management system requirements. It is particularly pertinent in gaining audit skills to ensure compliance of contractors in systems of work for quality assurance, OH&S and environmental areas.
So for a one day course we are targeting consulting engineers, contract managers, office managers and surveillance officers. It will be held in Hawthorn on Wednesday August 4 from 8.30am to 4.30pm at a cost of $250 + GST for members and $300 + GST for non members. Lunch is included.
The 2010 Training Course Guide and wall calendar are available for download from our website.