The boom in building demand last year coupled with Covid-19 restrictions, issues with labour and widespread material shortages caused an avalanche of paperwork and admin.

We talk to hundreds of building companies around the country each week so we’ve got our ear to the ground when it comes to the tech building companies are using to reduce their paperwork burden, propel their businesses forward and improve efficiency.

Here are some of the trends and tools we keep hearing about that will help you to scale up and go faster in 2022. 

Estimating and construction management
Lots of small building companies want a single system and tool that will handle everything from the first takeoff to the final invoice. Buildxact is designed for small builders. It will help you stay on top of each job, giving you a clear picture of income and outgoings so you’ll know exactly where your job profit stands. Buildxact members say the estimating and construction management software cuts time spent on takeoffs by 80%. You can upload the PDF and do your takeoff on-screen in minutes, you don’t need paper plans or scale rulers.  Measure in a few clicks and price jobs in one step. Buildxact says it takes just two hours to get started.

Supplier network platform
Managing your business from an email inbox and sending “quote this” emails to suppliers and trades leads to inaccurate quotes, issues with pricing, rework and delays. BuiltGrid is a supplier network that provides one integrated system for project info, quote comparisons, orders and call ups for all materials, trades and services. If you’re building five projects a year, time gains have been shown to save builders 54 days. That’s 54 days you can use to secure your next project, focus on your craft or hang out with your family. The best thing about BuiltGrid is that it’s free for builders. Yeah, completely free!

Property information
When a potential client calls you up about a site they’ve just purchased or they are talking about wanting to build a house at the back of their property, did you know you can quickly put the address into Landchecker and view all the information about the site in one place. 

It pulls property data from more than 300 sources so you can check things like the site size, planning zones, overlays, previous planning permits and more. You can even turn on high-resolution aerial imagery to get a good look at the site, without having to jump into a separate (and expensive) platform like Nearmap. With all this information available at a glance, you will look like a pro to the potential client and will be able to quickly gauge if it’s the type of build that will suit your company.  

Landchecker is currently available in Vic, NSW, Qld, Tas and SA and has more than 3000 builders regularly using the platform. 

Site deliveries
If you’ve ever had UberEats delivered and thought  “I wish it was this easy to get supplies delivered to my site”, there are some excellent platforms available that will do just that. 

If the crew on-site run out of nails or need some supplies delivered quickly, just open up an app like DeliverTrade, select what you want, and when you want it delivered. Everyone on site can focus on the task at hand, rather than dropping tools to do a run to Mitre10, and you’ll get less calls to “pick up a few things” while you are out and about. 

DeliverTrade is currently available in Melbourne and Adelaide, with plans to roll out availability across Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast over the coming months.

Get supplies delivered to site ASAP with DeliverTrade, or schedule ahead of time. 

Qualified lead generation
If you want to scale up but would rather spend time on the tools rather than building your network and looking for new clients, there are lots of ways you can promote your business online. The iBuildNew.com.au is a leading online platform for new home construction that can get your business in front of people actively looking for custom builders. The iBuild  New Home Advisor team will qualify the home buyer, so they will be highly qualified and matched to your building company.

Health and safety management system
Cut the time you spend on WHS admin, without cutting corners. In a 2021 survey, HazardCo members said they complete their health and safety admin in half the time since switching from traditional paper-based systems. It’s a fully guided system designed for building companies, that comes with all the reports and templates you need loaded up and ready to go. So even if you’re not a health and safety guru, you will feel confident you are keeping your crew and business safe. HazardCo members also get access to free advisory support, so you will know you have a team of WHS experts on hand to give advice when you need it. If you have an incident on site the team will support you through the process. 

HazardCo is used by more than 10,000 businesses across Australia and New Zealand.

Using machinery and equipment for work on-site puts workers in close contact with powerful and fast moving tools. This makes getting the job done easier and more efficient but it does also present some risks to workers health and safety. If a worker comes into contact with machinery or equipment in an unsafe way, it can cause significant harm or injury. It is common practice to use guarding on machinery and equipment to create a barrier between the workers and the moving parts that can cause harm or injury.

Common risks and Hazards
Machinery and equipment guarding is designed to eliminate or minimise the risk of workers being harmed while completing their work. It is important to assess the hazards and risks involved with all the machinery and equipment used in the workplace. If machinery and equipment is not guarded properly, workers can sustain significant injuries due to coming in contact with moving parts. 

Some common injuries are:

• Cuts
• Burns
• Electric Shocks
• Degloving
• Amputations

Because there is potential for serious harm when using machinery and equipment, it is necessary to plan a safe approach when conducting a job. This will help identify the hazards of working with machinery and equipment. 

The hazard management process includes:

• Identifying hazards
• Assessing the hazard – decide if the identified hazards are significant
• Assessing the risk – decide how likely and seriously a worker could be harmed
• Controlling the hazard – either by eliminating, isolating or minimising the hazard
• Regularly reviewing and monitoring the hazards and risks.
• Create safe working methods like Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Choosing the right guarding
There are many different types of guards that can be used to protect workers from being harmed when using machinery and equipment. Here are some common types of guarding and examples of when they are used:

• Fixed – Screwed or fixed in place guarding to protect users from hazards. – E.g. grinders
• Self closing – the cutting edge only opens to the extent necessary to cut the workpiece E.g. drop saw
• Adjustable – Safety guarding that is movable. The guard is in place to protect the user but moves to allow the function of the tool. E.g. drop saws and skill saws

When choosing a guard, It is important to make sure the guard can actually prevent an operator from reaching into the dangerous parts of machinery and equipment. To make sure the operators are protected from the dangerous parts, the safest guarding must take into account an operator’s ability to reach into or come in contact with moving parts. 

There are many different types of guards to choose from. It is important to choose guards that eliminate the potential for harm. If this is not possible, then guards should be chosen that isolate or minimise the risk to workers. It is very important that guarding is not removed or tampered with as this will increase the risk of harm to workers.

Control hierarchy 

• Elimination involves removing the risk to health and safety from the work site. It is the most effective risk control and should always be prioritised.
• Minimisation is used when a risk cannot be eliminated. This is done using: substitution, isolation, engineering, administration and PPE.

Training/ Competency
Workers should be trained to competently complete the work they are required to do. Workers should be trained and educated on the purpose and function of the different types of guarding in the workplace. Make sure that workers have the appropriate training, supervision, and qualification (if required) to safely use the necessary machinery and equipment. Keep an up-to-date register of what machinery and equipment workers are trained on and competent in using.

If you have any questions about guarding machinery and equipment, give HazardCo a call on 1800 954 702.

Our partners BuiltGrid help residential builders work more efficiently with their suppliers and trades to get projects delivered on time and budget. While you may use estimation software to get rough costings to bid on a customer project or set a budget on a spec home, BuiltGrid comes into play once you have council approval. It allows builders to get competitive quotes matching project needs, side-by-side quote comparisons and lock in materials and labour when you need them. All your supplier admin and communications are together, saving you time and minimising costly errors. Better still, builders don’t pay a cent to use the BuiltGrid platform.

Running a business from an email inbox
Although it’s common practice for small businesses to manage their business from an email inbox, email was never designed to be used that way. Searching years of email history may be useful at times but it’s difficult to find important messages or specific attachments unless you’re super disciplined with folders and labels. BuiltGrid clears your email inbox by linking all of your project docs, quotes, orders, communications and call-ups in one place. Supply partners get selective access to project information and you only get critical notifications.

Select suppliers. Attach a plan. Hit “Send”
“Geez!” is the first response from suppliers and trades when they receive a “Quote this” email with an attached plan and little else. Yet, this is the go-to method used by most builders to request quotes. It’s way too common, attracting inaccurate quotes, pricing issues, delays and rework. The free alternative is to use BuiltGrid’s industry standardised quote request and job scope framework – your suppliers and hip pocket will thank you.

Quote received. Now what?
Admin hassles only start with the “Quote this” email. What about following up suppliers, answering phone calls and questions, making changes, re-quote requests? Quote responses are sent at different times and based on a supplier’s interpretation with varying inclusions, exclusions and terms. It’s messy, time consuming and why most supplier selections are based on a quick view of the quote price! BuiltGrid shows you side-by-side competitive quote comparisons so you can assess where the real value is, beyond price. One-click quote acceptance locks in your supply and notifies unsuccessful suppliers – no more pesky suppliers chasing a deal.

Save 54 days and $39,051 this year
In short, BuiltGrid provides one integrated system for project info, quotes, comparisons, job orders and call-ups. If you’re building five projects a year, time gains have been shown to save builders 54 days. Applying a base hourly rate, that’s $39,051 in your pocket. On top of this, there’s additional profit margins from builders inviting more competition from the broader network. Use the time gained to secure your next project, focus on your craft or hang out with your family.

As a HazardCo member we know you value your time. Now there’s a better way to manage your quoting, ordering and call-ups. And it’s free!  Yep, BuiltGrid is free to builders!

Join the free BuiltGrid network now

Machinery and equipment are used every day on the worksite. Machinery and equipment are designed to make work easier, more efficient, and can generate great amounts of power and speed. This is really handy when there is a job to be done, but this also means there is a greater potential for harm and injury. When there is a potential for harm, especially in the workplace, it needs to be managed to prevent incidents or injuries. A great place to start is by identifying the hazards and risks involved with the machinery and equipment being used so that you can put controls in place to effectively manage them. 

Hazards & Risks
Many pieces of machinery and equipment use force and motion to cut, bend, join or shape materials. This force and motion can harm workers in many different ways such as crushing, cutting, puncturing and burning.

It is good practice to identify the risks to workers’ safety. When machinery and equipment is identified as a hazard in the workplace, the next required step is to manage the hazard. Begin by assessing the risks that these hazards pose to workers. A risk assessment in relation to the machinery and equipment can be completed in the HazardCo app to record hazards and the controls put in place to manage these risks. Any machinery or equipment that is faulty or damaged should be tagged out and repaired. 

It is also good practice to complete Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for your machinery and equipment. The SOP should document instructions on the safe operation and maintenance of and training for any machinery or equipment. Ensure that the SOP is created using the manufacturer’s instructions so that it is specific to the machinery and equipment used. 

Pre-Start Checks
Machinery and equipment are often used in harsh working environments, and on a daily basis. These two factors mean that eventually machinery and equipment can become faulty, damaged or break down over-time. If and when this happens, it can pose a risk to the workers who are using or working closely to the machinery or equipment. It is good practice to manage these risks by doing daily pre-start checks before beginning work. This ensures that the machinery and equipment are inspected and are in good working order before beginning the works. These pre-start checks should be recorded and the records should be kept. 

Training
Workers should be trained to competently complete the work they are required to do. This is especially important when using machinery and equipment as there is an increased potential for harm when it is not used correctly. Make sure that workers have the appropriate training, supervision and qualification (if required) to safely use the necessary machinery and equipment. Keep an up-to-date register of what machinery and equipment workers are trained on and competent in using. 

If you need a hand with managing the hazards and risks involved with using machinery and equipment, give HazardCo a call on 1800 954 702

Taking care of your mental health can be difficult, as sometimes you don’t even know you are struggling until you are in the thick of it. Even though we all respond to mental health differently, there are some common signs to look out for. There are also some recommended things we can do to improve or manage our mental health.

Here are some common signs that you may be struggling with your mental health: 

• Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
• Feeling sad or down. 
• Not enjoying things you usually would
• Changes in eating habits
• Feeling anxious or worried constantly
• Mood swings
• Excessive drinking, taking drugs, or violence

These feelings and behaviours can be onset by a variety of life events or stressors such as; work-related stress, dealing with Covid-19 restrictions, financial concerns, relationship troubles, and many more. If we have been through a tough time or are aware that we aren’t feeling quite right there are some tools we can use that can improve our mental health. Using these tools to proactively manage our mental health is a great idea but it is also useful if you are currently struggling with your mental health.

Here are some common things people do to manage their mental health:

• Connect with people – Family, Friends, Workmates, Team Mates
• Be Active – Go for a walk or to the gym. Get out in nature
• Prioritise Sleep – Sleep has a big impact on mental health
• Talk to people you trust – Sharing the good and bad in life helps build a trusted community and support group around you.
• Take a break – Schedule in time to rest, recover or energise yourself. Find what helps make you feel like yourself.
• Eat well – A healthy diet and staying hydrated can help mental wellbeing

These tools and many more can all help you take care of your mental health. If you notice a colleague or friend is struggling or going through some tough life events, reach out to them and see how they are going. They could benefit from some of these tools or at very least a friend. Remember that taking care of yourself mentally is hard and you don’t need to do it on your own. Reach out to your family and friends or a doctor to talk about your mental health. If you are struggling there is help out there, below is a list of some places you can call if you need support.

• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467

Hi-Vis is a form of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) designed to make workers more visible to others in order to minimise the risk of injury. 

The Australian legislation has Hi-Vis standards around the criteria, types and when it is to be worn.  

Every construction site must have: 

• Hi-Vis policy or rules 
• Guide on how to wear and fit correctly 
• Training on its effectiveness and better options for risk control. 

As a business owner, you must manage the risks associated with your workplace activities and in doing so follow a process to control those risks. If you cannot eliminate a risk, you must implement measures to reduce the level of risk, provide training to workers, and provide PPE – which includes hi-vis. 

Protective clothing is one of many control measures used to mitigate risk, however, it is the ‘last line of defense’, and all other reasonably practicable control measures should be in place first before relying on protective clothing. It is up to the PCBU if hi-vis clothing is a control that will be implemented on-site. However, it should always be worn around moving vehicles, plant and machinery.

Types of Hi-Vis
There are many types of hi-vis clothing available in Australia, and it is important to understand the different types of hi-vis, what is appropriate for your workplace, and ensure that you supply hi-vis that meets the standards. The two hi-vis colours that meet the standard for daytime visibility are yellow and orange.

• Class D – (Daytime use) made from fluorescent or other high visibility materials, are designed for daytime use. They are intended only for use in workplaces where lighting levels are good, and no work is done outside of daylight hours.
• Class N – (Nighttime use) designed and only suitable for night use, with no background material specified. The reflective tape must meet certain measurements and configurations.
• Class D/N – (Day and nighttime use) These garments combine fluorescent or other high-visibility background materials with strips of reflective tape, making them suitable for day and night use, or for work areas where there are low light levels. 

Maintaining Hi-Vis
It is important that the correct hi-vis is selected and used correctly. Your workers should know:

• When using hi-vis is required
• How to wear it correctly, and that the zippers/velcro need to be done up securely
• Be of a suitable fit and not interfere with normal movement
• Be compatible with any other PPE requirements
• Know when to request a replacement due to damage/wear and tear

Hi-vis should be maintained to ensure that it remains effective, over time the materials can fade which will affect the performance of the tape and fabric. It should be regularly checked for wear and tear, fading, and ensure that there are no additional fabrics, logos, or pockets impacting the functionality of the hi-vis in accordance with the standards AS/NZS 4602 and AS/NZS 1906.4.

Did you know that one in six Australians is currently experiencing depression, anxiety or both? The construction industry employs more than 625,000 people across Australia, making it one of the biggest employers in the country, this means that there is a good chance that you or someone you work with is struggling with or at some stage has struggled with their mental wellbeing.  

There are some pretty shocking stats that show how mental health and wellbeing affects Aussies:

• 1 in 4 Australians are lonely and have no-one to speak to
• Workers in the construction industry are six times more likely to die by suicide than through workplace accidents
• It’s estimated that 45 percent of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime
• In any one year, around 1 million Australian adults have depression, and over 2 million have anxiety

We are increasingly more aware that mental health and wellbeing is a serious issue that affects so many of us. When people are struggling with their mental health and going through a rough time it can be hard for them to seek help or talk about it. We can look out for our friends and colleagues because we know there is a good chance that at least one of them may need someone to talk to. 

Poor mental health and well-being come in many shapes and sizes but there are some common signs to look out for. It typically looks like a change in behavior rather than a one-off incident or if they are just ‘having a bad day’. If you see any of these signs or changes in behaviour it might be time to reach out to your friend or workmate:

• A talkative or sociable person pulling away or isolating themselves
• Normally relaxed or easy going but now are agitated or aggressive
• Coming in to work late or not at all
• Finding it hard to cope with day to day things
• Finding it hard to concentrate or finish tasks
• Using alcohol and/or drugs to cope

If you see these signs, your friend or workmate might need a helping hand. They might need you to check in on them and see how things are going. This can be hard and scary if you don’t know what you are doing when dealing with mental health and wellbeing. Reaching out to someone who is struggling can be the first step towards getting them the help that they need. You don’t have to be an expert, you just have to be a friend. 

Fortunately for us in Australia, there are so many organisations that exist solely to help people with their mental health and well-being. If you see someone struggling, encourage them to get in touch with one of these organisations for more help. If you need more guidance in dealing with the situation you can call too. Here is some of the places (there are more) you can contact if you or a friend are struggling with mental health:

• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
• Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467

For more resources on how to check in on a workmate download the free guide from RUOK? Here 

HazardCo was created by tradies, for tradies. We understand that on-site risks change, all day, every day, and have experienced what happens when they aren’t well managed first hand. So we formed HazardCo to help tradies get their health and safety sorted – and help you to feel confident that you’re doing the right thing. 

HazardCo’s digital health and safety solution uses everyday technology to help you complete all your health and safety requirements – all from your back pocket. Plus, HazardCo helps you to cut back on paperwork and saves you time by using straightforward templates and reports, which are full of tips and suggestions to give you the confidence you have it all covered.

You can use the HazardCo App on your smartphone to create a SWMS, Toolbox Meeting, Site Review, Risk Assessment, Incident Report, Vehicle Checklist, and more. The app is packed with simple-to-use tools that guide you through each of these activities, making them super quick and easy to complete. The HazardCo App enables our members to feel confident that they are on top of their health and safety from anywhere, at any time – whether they’re on-site, taking a coffee break, or even at home after a long day at work. 

HazardCo takes the hassle out of getting your team on board because the app is free to download for everyone on-site; this includes subbies, your team, and also visitors to your site.  This means that at the site scan-in board all they need to do is use the app or your camera to scan the QR code when they sign in and out which gives you the visibility of knowing who has been on-site and when without having to be there in person. Plus, there’s no need for loads of paperwork and meetings the first time someone arrives on-site – all they need to do is scan in and complete their induction on their smartphone. It’s simple, smart, and time-saving while also giving you the confidence of knowing you have your bases covered. 

Along with the app, being a HazardCo member also gives you access to the HazardCo Hub – our digital tool for setting up new projects. All of the information you need is stored online meaning that you can login from anywhere, at any time. Plus, you can use the hub to view, download, and review activity reports, including site reviews, risk assessments, and inductions.

Good health and safety practices are about more than just following the rules; they’re about doing the right thing to keep you and your team safe. HazardCo’s smart digital tools save you time and paperwork, giving you the confidence that you’re doing everything you can to keep your team safe.

You know that old saying… “no pain, no gain’”. Well, this is not true!  Just because you work in the construction industry doesn’t mean that you need to be affected by short or long-term pain.

Aches and pains are some obvious symptoms of musculoskeletal disease (MSD), but have you thought about what impacts MSD is having on you outside of work in your personal life?

What if constantly performing the same repetitive movement all day is causing you acute pain that means you aren’t able to kick the football around with your kids after work or play golf on the weekend with your mates? Do you really want your work to impact your personal life, or your worker’s lives when there are some simple steps that could prevent it from happening?

As a business owner have you thought about the hidden costs?
Data shows that strains and sprains often become more problematic later in a construction worker’s career, with the largest claims in the housing construction sector. In 2017, the average compensation paid and working weeks lost for musculoskeletal injury was $13,500 (7.2 weeks lost) for muscular stress while handling objects, $12,500 (6.4 weeks lost) for muscular stress while lifting, carrying, or putting down objects, and $12,200 (5.5 weeks lost) for muscular stress with no objects being handled.

There is a large range of costs that surface when someone has an injury on the job, especially when they can’t return to work the next day or sometimes weeks or months. This has a huge impact on deadlines, bottom line, skills on-site, and team dynamics.

Risky work that can cause MSD’s can be as simple as overhead or floor level work, manual and hand intensive work.

Have you thought about other ways you could be working to alleviate the stress on your body? It could be as simple as:

• doing a few warm-ups at the start of the day,
• breaking up your tasks throughout the day,
• taking a moment to stop and stretch throughout the task or
• choosing a different piece of equipment.

It’s common practice when you workout, that you warm-up and cool down, so why is working any different?

Accepting the reality of MSDs helps us formulate an effective approach to combat MSDs in our industry.

MSD’s occur due to a number of risk factors including repetitive or sustained force high or sudden force repetitive movement sustained and/or awkward posture or exposure to vibration.We will more than likely be exposed to each of these risk factors every day on-site so it is important to always think:

• Can I use a mechanical device or grip device to help me lift?
• Can I reduce the weight of what needs to be lifted?
• Can I change the height of what needs to be lifted so it is positioned above mid-thigh height and below shoulder height?
• Can I change the tools that I use onsite?

Let’s do our bit and raise awareness on-site around MSD. REMEMBER – Prevention is better than the cure!

Next week we will give you some exercises that you can do to avoid being affected by MSD and if you are hurt, how physiotherapy can help you.

We’re proud to announce we now offer WHS / OHS advice and incident support alongside our popular digital tools!

We are offering this service to all members for no additional cost, because we want you to feel confident you are keeping your crew and business safe.

Health and safety is complicated, so whether you are in the office or on-site, if you have a question, are feeling unsure, or have an incident, give our team of experts a call and we will set you right.

Our advisory team is available during working hours to help you with any WHS/OHS questions or problems that may come up. All you need to do is give them a call on 1800 954 702 between the hours of 8am-4pm and they’ll be there to guide you. 

These services are available at no additional cost, it’s just another one of the great benefits and features that comes with your standard or premium HazardCo membership. Plus, you’ll receive updates to ensure that your health and safety programme remains fully compliant and up to date. 

Our team of advisors has years of experience across multiple industries and will be able to give you a hand with any queries you may have, including: 

• What type of documentation is expected from you 
• What the controls should be for the task you’re about to do 
• Advice for managing contractors on-site 
• Understanding WorkSafe visits and notices 
• How to keep contractors and visitors safe in your workplace
• Understanding asbestos works, requirements, where to find it, and training 

We know that incidents on-site can be stressful and it can be hard to know what you need to report and the right process to follow. Give us a call and we will guide you through what you need to do. 

Call 1800 954 702 if you’re in need of a hand.