Victorian regulators take 2022 Build Aware campaign to Latrobe Valley

Four Victorian regulators will take their Build Aware campaign to the Latrobe Valley next week, ensuring construction workers are meeting safety, environmental, building and plumbing compliance obligations.

Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), WorkSafe, the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) and Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) will visit worksites providing operators with information on laws that protect the community and the environment.

The initiative, to run between Monday, 30 May and Friday, 3 June, will focus on the Latrobe Valley, working to educate and call out issues.

Build Aware has previously targeted regional areas including Shepparton, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Wodonga, Geelong, Bendigo and Warrnambool. Joint activities delivered by the regulators include industry trade breakfasts, joint inspections and educational presentations to local TAFE students.

Next week inspections will be carried out across the Latrobe Valley to ensure compliance with safety, environmental, building and plumbing standards.

During the week, ESV compliance officers will focus on dangers related to No Go Zones and the need for construction workers and machinery operators to be aware of overhead and underground electrical assets.

WorkSafe will look to risks associated with exposure to asbestos and crystalline silica dust and remind employers and workers of the recent changes to the OHS regulations, including the requirements to identify ‘high-risk’ crystalline silica work.

The VBA will again be checking building and plumbing works as part of its Proactive Inspections Program, which aims to reduce non-compliant building and plumbing work.

While the EPA will ensure the construction and demolition industries are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to waste management at building sites.

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