Fatalities and serious injuries on building sites have made it more important than ever for licensees to notify the QBCC quickly of safety incidents onsite.

Safety incidents include death, serious injury or illness, or something that puts a person at risk of serious injury or illness.

Reporting these incidents makes sure that an employer and the QBCC are aware of issues that need to be taken seriously, which helps make the industry safer for everyone.

How to report an incident

Any QBCC licensee should report a safety incident as soon as you see or hear about it directly to the QBCC, even if you’ve already reported it to another agency, such as Workplace Health and Safety. Failure to report a safety incident can result in a fine up to $10,000.

Reporting a safety incident is quick and easy, simply complete our form or call us on 139 333.

For more information about the QBCC’s reporting requirements, please visit Report a safety issue or incident.

You can also learn more by visiting Master Builders Queensland and Housing Industry Association.
 

Eighteen building owners, body corporates and individuals pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court between May 2022 and January this year in separate prosecutions brought by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC).

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, said the Safer Buildings Program had helped create more certainty and safety in regard to construction materials used on Queensland buildings.

“These laws help protect us all in the buildings where we live, work and gather, and were introduced following the tragic death of 72 people in London’s Grenfell Tower,” Ms Levy says.

The legislation involved a three-stage process with building owners required to register their building before providing relevant information relating to potentially combustible cladding on their building at each stage of the program.

Building owners were then able to exit the program depending on what was identified in the previous stage/s.

QBCC commenced prosecutions relating to 35 private buildings which resulted in a total of $82,000 in fines and orders to pay $17,750 in legal costs for failing to provide required documentation for potentially combustible cladding on their buildings.

Of the 35 prosecutions commenced, 18 matters entered a timely plea of guilty, with fines imposed ranging between $2,000 and $8,000 for companies, $2,000 to $5,500 for body corporates and $1,500 for individuals.

In the remaining 17 matters, it was determined that cladding had been rectified prior to prosecution proceedings or ultimately found to not be combustible.

Stage 3 required the building owner to provide the QBCC with a cladding checklist, Building Fire Safety Risk Assessment and a report from a registered fire engineer.

“The laws have increased public safety by helping to identify which buildings in Queensland contain combustible cladding on their external walls and any associated risks,” Ms Levy says.

BACKGROUND

Queensland Government changes to the Building Regulation 2006 which commenced on 1 October 2018 required owners of particular buildings to undertake an assessment of the material used on external walls of their building by using a combustible cladding checklist.

The checklist process is designed to identify which buildings are affected by combustible cladding and whether cladding rectification work is likely to be required to achieve an acceptable level of safety. The deadline for building owners to submit the checklist without penalty was 3 May 2021.

As a result, in November 2017, legislation was introduced requiring licensees to notify the QBCC of safety matters occurring on building sites.

It is an offence if a licensee does not notify the QBCC in the fastest way possible, which is in addition to the requirement to notify Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). The quickest way is through this online form.

In addition to investigations and enforcement by WHSQ, where building or other work on a building site under the licensee’s control may have caused death or grievous bodily harm or involved a serious risk to the health or safety of a person, the QBCC also has a legislated role concerning safety.

Where there has been a safety incident, the QBCC has discretionary power to suspend or cancel a licence, impose a monetary penalty, impose conditions on a licence, or reprimand licensees.

All licensees, including head contractors and sub-contractors, should have safe systems of work in place and be able to appropriately evidence these systems when required. This means having documented safety plans and showing that they comply.

The QBCC and WHSQ work closely and share information to collaboratively monitor safety issues and risks, including identifying licensees that potentially pose a high safety risk.

We all have a role in ensuring we operate within a safe and successful building industry. Licensees are encouraged to review the suitability of their safety systems, as this ensures that plans are fit for purpose and are being properly complied with on-site and within their scopes of work.

Learn more about the requirement to notify the QBCC of a Safety Matter.

QBCC Commissioner, Richard Cassidy, said the QBCC had always stepped up to help Queenslanders following natural disasters, and the QBCC’s skills and experience would now assist residents affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth.

He said anyone seeking information about building-related work should visit the QBCC website, and anyone with questions should submit a general enquiry online, or phone the QBCC on 139 333.

“This is a difficult time for many people, including our local staff but the QBCC is here to help provide reassurance and guidance about compliant, safe building work,” Mr Cassidy said.

He urged property owners to only ever use licensed contractors, and to use contracts for any building work valued over $3,300.

The QBCC website has a free search tool to help identify and contact local licensees and a variety of building contracts for free download, including a Natural Disaster Repairs Contract.

The QBCC website also has extensive information for home owners and contractors about rebuilding after flood events, including information on repairs to damaged plasterboard, timber, and timber homes.

In addition to these services, the QBCC office at 302 Alice Street, Maryborough, is open 9am-5pm weekdays.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is warning residents not to risk their homes when it comes to repairing any damage as a result of storms or natural disasters.

QBCC Commissioner Richard Cassidy said sometimes unlicensed contractors took advantage of people who needed homes repaired but did not want to wait for insurance claims.

“It’s really not worth it. The last thing you need is unfinished work that isn’t done by a licensed contractor and not to standard,” he said.

“Our QBCC-licensed contractors have the required qualifications and knowledge of the work they are licensed to carry out and this makes them the only choice to help you rebuild after a severe weather event or disaster.

“Anyone who’s operating without a licence is not only breaking the law but putting the safety of Queenslanders at risk.

“This is why the QBCC’s licensing system is so important as it ensures licensed trades have the right qualifications to carry out the work they are contracted to do.”

Mr Cassidy said following recent flooding in South-East Queensland the QBCC was assisting the recovery effort in Inglewood, Darling Downs.

“We have a presence at the Inglewood Recovery Hub to share essential QBCC information such as licensing registers and provide advice on mould awareness, asbestos management and plumbing impacts after flooding, among other things,” he said.

Mr Cassidy reminded home owners to ensure any work was accompanied by a written contract, that they are not pressured into signing anything without fully understanding it and know who they are contracting with.

You can access a free licence check on the QBCC website to confirm if a person is appropriately licensed

There is also a free find a local contractor search to help consumers locate a local, licensed and skilled tradesperson.

Further information and factsheets on rebuilding after a natural disaster are available on the QBCC website.

Summer is just around the corner and Queenslanders are reminded not to become complacent with pool safety.

This warning comes from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) in an effort to educate people on their safety responsibilities when it comes to pools.

QBCC Commissioner Richard Cassidy said drowning was a silent killer and immersions often occurred when people were nearby but weren’t properly supervising young children.

“There is a myth adults will hear a child who falls in a pool and have time to react but unfortunately this is not always the case,” he said.

“New surroundings bring the risk of unfamiliarity or lack of awareness for young children, and adults need to keep this in mind, especially for children who don’t usually spend much time in pools.”

Mr Cassidy reminded people that while a swimming pool could be a great addition to their home, people needed to follow the State Government’s safety standards when it came to building and maintaining pools, to keep children safe.

A swimming pool is defined as an above or below ground structure principally used for swimming or bathing and also includes some models of portable pools and spas that are capable of holding more than 30cm of water.

The number of pool immersions reported to the QBCC in 2020/21 was 89, compared to 83 in 2019/20 and 99 in 2018/19.

Mr Cassidy said swimming pool safety laws and compliant pool barriers aimed to minimise the chances of children being in pools unsupervised.

“Pool owners also need to be aware that anyone who props open a pool gate is liable for an on-the-spot fine,” he said.

“That’s a dangerous and potentially tragic practice.

“Owners must ensure their pools are compliant and remind people to always supervise children when they are in the pool.”

More information on pool safety compliance is on the QBCC website and people can also search the pool register to find out if a pool at a particular address meets safety requirements.