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"Can't WAIT to try this": Tradie's simple bin night hack

Taking the wheelie bins out and having to drag them back in is a chore that many dread, but one Aussie tradie has made life so much easier with his simple hack. Kyle Hume took to TikTok to share his simple yet effective trick to bring in two bins back from the curb at the same time, without having to wrangle two bins with both hands or make multiple trips. "I've been wheeling two bins my whole life until I noticed this," he shared. Hume's trick is to line up two bins in front of each other, resting the lid of the bin at the front on top of the bin at the back, and then closing the lid so it creates a makeshift hook that allows you to tip both bins back and wheel them in unison. <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important; width: 573px; max-width: 100%;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7360205539604696336&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40kylehume7%2Fvideo%2F7360205539604696336%3Flang%3Den&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2FoYPnEqGncBAAtH22Eli4AIzBQC4wEANEIsf1ki%3Fx-expires%3D1715479200%26x-signature%3Di%252BOzi1g942kcQ1F0%252FqQuNd7eiho%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Many Aussies were "flabbergasted" by the trick, taking to the comments to express their shock at the simple method. "I've learned more on TikTok about adulting than I ever did in school," one joked. "I have four bins - this is going to save my life," another added. "What? Are you kidding me?" a third exclaimed. However, not everyone was impressed with his method, with some saying that it wouldn't work and there is a risk of damaging the bins. "Guessing that green bin slipped over and split using this hack, lol," one wrote. "This seems awkward and clunky," another added. "Don't you have two arms?" a third wrote. Images: TikTok

Home & Garden

Hero tradie’s daring move saves toddler who wandered onto busy street

In an awe-inspiring act of bravery that will leave you breathless, shocking <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/tradie-scary-move-save-child-095600259.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dash cam footage</a> has captured a heart-pounding moment that will forever be etched in the annals of heroism. Laurie Owens, a true guardian angel who fearlessly soared into action on the Salisbury Highway in Adelaide, embarked on a heart-stopping mission to save a young child's life, giving no thought to his own safety or that of his vehicle It was just another day for working tradie Laurie Owens as he navigated the bustling roadways. But with eagle eyes and a heart tuned to protect, Laurie spotted a young boy, still adorned in his nappy, wandering innocently into the treacherous path of oncoming vehicles on a busy highway. In a surge of adrenalin-fuelled heroism, Owens sprang into action as – undeterred by the imminent danger, he gallantly mounted the median strip and fearlessly directed his own vehicle into the path of the charging traffic, all in an effort to shield the toddler from harm's way. His words echo with undying determination: "I'd rather take the damage of a car running into me because I'm safe rather than the child be killed because what protection do they have?" he told 9News. In a dazzling display of divine intervention, the unsuspecting little boy, named Aaryan, instinctively turned and bolted towards the safety of his family driveway, under the watchful gaze of Owens. Owens then gathered the child in his arms, poised to reunite him with his worried parents, who confirmed that Aaryan was indeed their precious child. The driveway gates had been left ajar, allowing the child, who grapples with autism, to embark on an unplanned adventure onto the perilous road. In the tearful aftermath, Aaryan's mother, overwhelmed with gratitude, expressed her deepest appreciation, declaring, "Thank you, I'm really grateful that [he] saved my child." For Owens, the humble champion of this heart-stopping saga, the joy of knowing that the little boy made it home safely was an immeasurable reward. Bursting with pride, he triumphantly proclaimed, "I've saved a kid's life. He's got a future now!" Images: 9 News

Travel Trouble

“A little bit unfair”: Hard-working tradies blast age pension increase

A group of tired tradies have rallied against the “unfair” decision to increase the age of eligibility for the age pension. The tradesmen, all in their 60s, simply said their bodies “can’t handle” working in manual labour until they’re 70, which may be in their future if the eligibility age continues to rise. The age to qualify for the pension was raised from 66 years and six months to 67 on July 1st with the move impacting any Australian born after December 31st, 1956. Experts predict the age could rise even further to 70 by the year 2050 with the news sparking backlash among hardworking Aussies. One man, a concreter in his mid-60s named Steve, said working the manual labour job was already taking a toll on his body and that the new retirement age was “unfair” on those working physically demanding jobs. “Now I'm starting to feel it more in my knees, I've got arthritis in my hands, I've had two back surgeries,” he told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/australian-tradies-outraged-over-decision-to-raise-pension-age-to-67/5b5c6dda-c995-44ad-bb29-98c625e9d276" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair</a>. “It does seem a little bit unfair that you have to work all your life.” Peter, who cuts down trees in the Gold Coast for a living, compared the raising of the pension age to the harsh realities of his job. “It's just like climbing a tree,” he said. “The injuries are just climbing all the time, it's getting harder, worse, sorer all the time.” He described what was happening as “very scary”. “Unfortunately I thought 65 would be a nice time to retire and get on a pension but now we are talking 67,” he said. “Is it going to go up to 68, 69, 70?” Macquarie University Professor Hanlin Shang believes the pension age will need to rise to 70 or government spending will spiral out of control. He and other researchers estimate that the retirement age will rise to 68 by 2030, 69 in 2036 and 70 by 2050. “As Australians live longer than before, it presents a challenge to the government to fund retirees through a pension scheme,” Professor Shang said. Despite these challenges, Peter said politicians don't understand the burden that working physical jobs has on older bodies. “It would be nice to be a politician sitting on a nice comfortable chair all day in an air conditioned room or office,” he said. “They need to come out and see what it's like to do some physical work. That would make them change their mind in trying to stretch this pension out to 67, 68, 69, 70.” Image credits: A Current Affair

Retirement Income

"I've done enough": Hero tradie slams raising of retirement age

Thousands of Australians are rallying behind one hard-working tradie, who is standing up in opposition to the proposed rising of the retirement age. On July 1st, the Aussie pension eligibility age will rise from 65 to 67, with research suggesting that it will rise again to the age of 70 by 2050. The tradie shared a photo holding a sign that reads, "Only a bloke who's worked in an office his whole life would think you can work until you're 70." Many have echoed his statement, particularly blue-collar workers who say it is asking too much of people approaching 70 to keep up physically demanding labour. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The LNP has been working for years to oppress & dumb down the Australian population so that it has more power & control over us. But insisting that the retirement age should be 70 is just wrong. This isn’t about ‘left’ or ‘right’ any more. It’s about the elite vs the rest of us <a href="https://t.co/yxIuAL75rm">pic.twitter.com/yxIuAL75rm</a> — Bethany Williams 💙🇺🇦💛 (@BethanyinCBR) <a href="https://twitter.com/BethanyinCBR/status/1332236229077659651?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2020</a></blockquote> "My body is just tired, as is my husband's, who is 66. We both need to just rest now. We had planned on retirement at 65. Then they changed the goal posts," one person shared in replying to the image. "I've worked 43 years as a butcher. I'm almost 65 yrs old, I think I've done enough, and my body agrees," a second added. "I spent many years in a quarry as well as a coal mine, my body is physically worn out, so I 110 per cent agree with his poster," a third agreed. Others shared that they thought it was simply unfair to ask older Aussies to keep working in manual labour in order to provide for their families, during a time when they should be resting and starting to plan their retirement years without stressing about finances. Many angered Aussies spoke out about the politicians who are responsible for raising the age pension number, saying they have no idea how physically taxing manual labour jobs can be. "The politicians all need to get out of their chairs and do a tradies' job for a week or two then they will know what a bad back is and realise that the body won't let you work until you are 70," one person wrote. A second added added, "I would like to see all politicians work a week as a bricklayer, a boilermaker, a plumber, or a builder - doing what we did to 65, they couldn't for a week." Currently, Australians are able to access a pension wage at 65 years and 6 months as long as they were born between July 1st 1952 and December 31st 1953. Those born after that date will be able to access their pension from the age of 66. However, from July 1st anyone born after January 1st 1957 will have to work even longer with the pension age increasing to 67-years-old. Image credits: Facebook

Retirement Life

Woman “sickened” over tradie’s gross act caught on CCTV

CCTV inside a Brisbane woman’s home has captured the shocking moment a plumber was snooping through her bedroom, and the “sickening” act he committed. The plumber, who was recommended by the woman’s friend, was called in to fix the bathroom’s toilet and shower. But when the woman checked her security cameras, she found out that instead of doing his job, he was up to no good. Footage shows the man in the woman’s bedroom, allegedly going through her drawers, before heading to the kitchen and taking utensils from there. The plumber then allegedly used a wooden rolling pin to fix the toilet before putting the dirty utensil back, unwashed. "I'm really upset by this… how many other people has he done this to?" she told 9News. "I'm sickened by him using my utensils on my toilet," she said. The woman also said that the lack of hygiene could make someone “desperately ill” and that she’s mostly “sickened about the cleanliness issues”. The distressed homeowner also alleged that a pair of earrings located near her bedside table also went missing after the incident. “It’s so personal, your bedroom drawers are so personal and there’s a camera like half a metre from his face,” she said. The incident has since been reported and the tradie, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court. Images: Channel 9/ 9News

Real Estate

"Hero we need": Fed-up tradie disrupts Bunnings traffic

A tradie at his wit's end has pulled a petty stunt to fire back at Bunnings customers who “use the trade entry as easy access” and held him up. The tradie shared his stunt to the Tradie Mayhem Facebook group alongside images of the row of parked cars at the Artarmon Bunnings, which sparked his frustrated act. The man said he did it for all tradespeople who have been “held up during the week at Bunnings by people that use the trade entry as easy access, taking their sweet time” after parking in the easy access area. “I double parked blocking them all in at Artarmon Bunnings,” he said. The staff announced over the speaker system that his ute needed to be moved, to which he responded, “just made me take my time and let them know that’s how we feel during the week when we’re trying to get work done and are held up by them”. Initial responses were positive, praising the tradie and labelling him as the “hero we need”. “Tradie privilege, don‘t think so,” one member commented. “It‘s so they can load their vehicle instead of dragging it through the car park. If you’re driving a normal car park outside and enjoying some exercise.” “Love this, trade yard always packed with cafe dwellers,” a third wrote. Some individuals shared their frustrations of having to share the space with the general public, calling for the original poster to “pester Bunnings about it”. “Bring back the trade only access to Bunnings before 8-9 am that they had during Covid.” Others were quick to point out a major flaw in the tradie's argument, saying the undercover parking is not reserved for tradies but a loading area of things that cannot be taken through checkout. The loading bays are for any customers who are temporarily loading timber or bulky items in the trade yard. <a href="https://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News.com.au</a> asked Artarmon Bunnings for a comment about the stunt, and the warehouse manager said the area in question was a “load and go area”. “We don’t usually have too many long waits there, but there is the occasional one-off when a customer will come in and park on the side or right in the middle of the driveway,” he said. “We did have a little shortage of our load and go guys that usually work down there, but that is currently being fixed.” The manager said the fact the area was only one lane for a busy, multi-use loading area meant that there can be waits, but there was a staff member there to direct the traffic. “But because it is one lane obviously our main priority is our customers and getting them in and out of here as quickly as possible. “Unfortunately, other stores have five lanes, we only have one. “There are occasional customers who want to get through and load personal items because it’s easier to bring down to the car, so we are looking at getting it to be the best system possible.” Image credit: Facebook

Home & Garden

Debate rages over who was in the wrong after elderly woman's stoush with tradies

An elderly couple and a group of tradies in South-West Sydney are the latest to go viral after footage of a wild dispute has gained a huge amount of attention online. The clip posted to TikTok by user Raj Raj has the audience divided over who is in the wrong. The altercation took place in Greenacre. Clocking up over 762,000 views, the video starts off showing the elderly woman picking up handfuls of mud and throwing it at the tradie working on the house next door. The woman is screaming in another language while pegging mud and dirt at the workers. “Move move move, what the f**k,” the man filming can be heard saying as the scene unfolds. “This is Greenacre everyone. Come live in Greenacre it’s a mad place. Shootings, killings neighbours …” It is not immediately clear why the woman is so upset, but the man filming reveals the workers had cut electricity to her home. “Boys ripped off the wire,” the man says, panning the camera up towards the powerlines. “You cut the power,” the elderly man tells the tradies, as his partner continues to scream at the tradies. One of the workers assured the couple they were going to run a powerline for them immediately , this response prompts the woman to grab more handfuls of dirt and throw it at the man speaking. “Hey!” the person filming yelled out to the woman, before someone is heard saying “excuse me” in a high-pitched voice. The woman, still very angry, turns towards the camera, picks up a piece of debris from the dirt and pulls it up over her head ready to throw it at the person filming. The cameraman immediately hides behind a door, saying: “She is throwing bricks at me. Look”. The woman drops whatever is in her hand and makes a rude gesture towards the camera before walking away. “Why you don’t f***ing tell us you cut the power, eh?” the older man asks the workers. “Not you, not him, not him,” he adds, pointing at all the tradesmen standing around the neighbour’s property. One of the workers then tells the couple to “speak to Ausgrid”. The footage has gained over 1800 comments, with social media users unable to agree on who is in the wrong, the elderly couple or the tradies. Some believe the couple’s actions were justified in their anger at having power cut to their home seemingly without warning. “Well if you cut their power without notice than I get why she’s upset,” one person said, with another claiming they would be “raging 10 x more than her”. “Cowboys like this do what ever they want without consideration to neighbours. Happens all the time. Bet no notice or communication,” another person claimed. Another added: “Those poor people have clearly been traumatised by that house being built next door and have finally snapped!!!” There were other commenters who agreed that the workers needed to tell the couple if there was a possibility their power could be cut, but thought the woman was “overreacting” to the situation. “Angry that power was cut off … yes! But throwing a tantrum and throwing debris at people is really uncalled for. Wasn’t intentional,” another commenter said. You can watch the infamous TikTok <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@rajra1991/video/7165735173445782786?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7109261629132686850" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Legal

5 etiquette tips for working with tradies

Whether you’re about to start major renovations or just need a few niggly things fixed, it’s important to hire the right tradie for the job - and work with them to get the best result. To ensure the job goes smoothly and everyone walks away satisfied, here are five ground rules to follow when working with tradies. 1. Prepare the space Clearing the space the tradies will be working in, including moving obstacles and breakable items, will make it all the more easier for them to get stuck into the task at hand. Other ways to help your tradies out include giving them space to park if possible, keeping your pets away from the area and out of harm’s way, and even offering a lunch space where they can set up. 2. Check-In Though it will depend on the size of the job, checking in every couple of days to see how things are going can give you and the tradies the chance to ask any questions or clarify important information as you need to. 3. Don’t hover It’s good to check in, but there’s a fine line between that and hovering over their shoulder and getting in the way. It’s best to keep your conversations to the point and let them get on with their job. 4. Communicate clearly An important thing to establish from the beginning, clearly communicating your expectations, requirements, and wants can help you and your tradie establish a plan for how to approach the task at hand. 5. Be reasonable While we can try hard to prevent mishaps and miscommunication, sometimes things can go wrong for reasons that are out of yours and your tradies’ hands. In these cases, it’s important to stay calm, work with them and rely on tips one through four. Image: Getty Images

Home Hints & Tips

Heartbroken tradie's ute stolen with mother's ashes in glovebox

A man from Queensland has been left heartbroken after his ute, with his mother’s ashes in the glove box was stolen.Carpenter Kayden Holmes had left his key in the ignition of his white Holden Colorado as he loaded tools into the boot when a thief jumped in and sped off on Sunday.The incident was captured on a neighbour’s security camera and the footage was shared on social media. The clip shows Mr Holmes’ attempt to stop the grab and dash before he was dragged along the road in Holmview, a residential suburb of Logan.The tradie was left with an ankle injury after his foot was run over during the scuffle. He is now desperate for the return of his mother’s ashes, which had been placed inside a piece of jewellery following her death from cancer in 2015.It’s unlikely the alleged thief knew the precious item was inside the glove box of the ute when it was taken.“The car is replaceable, everything in that car is replaceable, but the ashes aren’t,” he told 7NEWS on Tuesday.“I need them back, I don’t want them, I need them.”Mr Holmes told Sunrise that he was now offering “a reward to anyone that comes forward with information leading to the name or the arrest, even just the ashes”.“That’s just the last thing I have of mum and it takes a lot to make me upset, and we’ve gone through a lot of humps in this road, but this one has knocked me about a bit.”Mr Holmes said he kept the ashes in his car as he liked to have his mother near him at all times.“I just thought that having her in the car with me, she can come everywhere I go kind of thing, just to have that kind of reassurance.”Queensland Police are investigating the incident and urge anyone with information to contact them.Image: 7 News

Legal

Furious tradies surround luxury car for pushing in a Covid testing line

Images: Facebook Despite changes to isolation and testing requirements for most of Australia in recent days, it hasn’t put an end to the huge lines of cars and people at testing clinics around the country. As case numbers spike, thousands of Aussies have reported spending hours in a queue waiting for a PCR test. While they’ve been urged to exercise patience, and treat frontline workers with compassion, not everyone has followed this advice. Facebook page Sydney Name and Shame, shared a clip of a BMW attempting to cut the line at a testing centre. “We’d been lining up in the covid test line for hours and this guy just pushes in behind me,” the driver captioned the clip. Zooming in on the BMW in her side mirror, she explained: “This guy has pushed in and everyone is so mad, as they should be. We’ve been in line for hours, and they’re (the workers) trying to usher him out.” As the BMW tries to advance their way in the queue, a group of furious tradies surrounded the car to stop them from moving any further, and letting the people the car cut off go back in their original place. Despite the confrontation, the driver just would “not go”. “It’s just this guy, he’s just shaking his head, he will not leave the line,” she said. “What a d**k. The footage comes as it was announced that 54 Covid testing sites across Victoria will shut to cope with a backlog of testing due to the overwhelming demand. Private laboratories 4Cyte Pathology, ACL, Melbourne Pathology and Dorevitch Pathology will temporarily close testing centres in the state. “I’m afraid that today four of our private sector laboratory partners have confirmed they are closing, temporarily suspending a number of their testing centres,” Victorian Covid commander Jeroen Weimar told reporters. Mr Weimar said the labs would continue to work 24/7 to process the backlog of tests built up over the last few weeks. In NSW, it’s a similar story, with 28 test sites across the state set to close.

Travel Trouble

Renovating your kitchen? Help Australia’s tradies avoid silicosis by not choosing artificial stone

In 2012 my wife and I renovated our house — a two-storey extension with a brand new kitchen. Inspired by various renovation-themed TV shows and magazines, we chose a sleek stone island bench as the focal point for the kitchen. I knew the benchtop material was some form of stone. You could choose almost any colour and it cost a lot less than marble. But I didn’t know much else and I didn’t ask any questions. As a respiratory physician who has diagnosed numerous workers with silicosis over the past four years, I regret my ignorance. Like <a rel="noopener" href="https://s23.q4cdn.com/225400014/files/doc_presentations/Investor-presentation-Sept-2018-Final-Version.pdf" target="_blank">many Australians</a> who have renovated or built homes since the early 2000s, the material we chose was artificial stone (also known as engineered or reconstituted stone, or quartz). In 2015, after the first Australian stone benchtop industry worker was reported to have <a rel="noopener" href="https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA1144" target="_blank">severe silicosis</a>, I was astonished to discover artificial stone contains <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/engineered-stone-benchtops-are-killing-our-tradies-heres-why-a-bans-the-only-answer-126489" target="_blank">up to 95%</a> crystalline silica. Inhalation of crystalline silica dust is one of the best-known causes of lung disease, including silicosis and lung cancer. The adverse health effects of silica exposure <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-silicosis-and-why-is-this-old-lung-disease-making-a-comeback-80465" target="_blank">were established</a> while there was still debate about the harm of cigarettes and asbestos. But Australians’ affinity for artificial stone benchtops has seen silicosis make a major comeback in recent years. New research <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/silica-associated-lung-disease-health-screening-research-phase-one-final-report" target="_blank">in Victoria</a> shows the extent of silicosis among workers in the stone benchtop industry. What is silicosis? Silicosis is <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-silicosis-and-why-is-this-old-lung-disease-making-a-comeback-80465" target="_blank">a preventable disease</a> characterised by scarring on the lungs, called <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31989662/" target="_blank">pulmonary fibrosis</a>. Over time, inhalation of tiny silica dust particles triggers an inflammatory response that causes small growths called nodules to build up on the lungs. These nodules can grow and cluster together, causing the lungs to become stiffer and impeding the transfer of oxygen into the blood. In the early stages of the disease, a person may be well. Symptoms of silicosis can include a cough, breathlessness and tiredness. Generally, the more widespread the disease becomes in the lungs, the more trouble a person will have with breathing. There’s not currently a cure. In severe cases, a lung transplant may be the only option, and the disease <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-13/silicosis-victim-dies-from-disease/10895774" target="_blank">can be fatal</a>. Brisbane researchers, however, recently demonstrated <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-researchers-develop-world-first-treatment-for-deadly-lung-disease-silicosis-killing-tradies/2f5fc92f-d8a5-46f4-b6d3-2f0a6beb083a" target="_blank">early but promising results</a> from <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33626187/" target="_blank">a trial</a> in which they washed silica out of a small number of silicosis patients’ lungs. The road to reform Tradesmen in the stone benchtop industry cut slabs of stone to size and use hand-held power saws and grinders to form holes for sinks and stove tops. This generates crystalline silica dust from the stone which may be released into the air. Using water in this process can <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25326187/" target="_blank">suppress the generation of dust</a> significantly, but until recently dry processing of artificial stone has been ubiquitous in the industry. Almost <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/silica-associated-lung-disease-health-screening-research-phase-one-final-report" target="_blank">70% of workers</a> with silicosis in Victoria indicated they spent more than half their time at work in an environment where dry processing was occurring. Stone benchtop workers suffering silicosis <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/spike-in-silicosis-cases-from-dust-created-when/10361776" target="_blank">have called out</a> poor work conditions over recent years, including being made to perform dry cutting with inadequate protections such as effective ventilation and appropriate respirators. Queensland was the first state to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/news-and-events/alerts/workplace-health-and-safety-alerts/2018/prevent-exposure-to-silica-for-engineered-stone-benchtop-workers" target="_blank">ban dry cutting</a> in 2018. Victoria followed <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2019-08/uncontrolled-dry-cutting-engineered-stone-banned" target="_blank">in 2019</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/nsw-to-ban-dry-cutting-of-stone-products-to-combat-deadly-silicosis-20200220-p542qr.html" target="_blank">New South Wales</a> in 2020. It’s too early to assess whether these changes have affected the prevalence of silicosis, but hopefully they will make a difference. Our research Around the time the Victorian government introduced the ban, it launched <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/protecting-victorian-workers-deadly-silica-dust" target="_blank">an enforcement blitz</a> in high-risk workplaces, while WorkSafe Victoria implemented a free screening program for the estimated 1,400 workers in the stone benchtop industry across the state. The Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health recently released <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/silica-associated-lung-disease-health-screening-research-phase-one-final-report" target="_blank">a report</a> detailing the findings from the first year of the screening program. Some 18% of initial 324 workers who completed the assessments were diagnosed with silicosis. We’ve seen similar results <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/claims-and-insurance/work-related-injuries/types-of-injury-or-illness/work-related-respiratory-diseases/silicosis" target="_blank">in Queensland</a>, where as of February 2021 the government had screened 1,053 stonemasons exposed to crystalline silica dust from artificial stone. Some 223 (or 21%) were diagnosed with silicosis, including 32 with the most severe form, called progressive massive fibrosis. The Monash report indicates workers in Victoria are diagnosed with silicosis at an average age of just 41. The average time spent working in the stone benchtop industry when diagnosed was 14 years, and the shortest was just three years, reflecting an extremely high level of silica dust exposure. We published some earlier results of this research project in <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33115923/" target="_blank">Occupational and Environmental Medicine</a> late last year. But this latest data hasn’t yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, meaning it hasn’t been subject to the same level of scrutiny as other published research. A broader problem Failure to protect workers from silica exposure <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/silica-office-admin-worker-joanna-mcneill-contracts-silicosis/d64f8661-8bca-4b6f-b950-a1d64e13e421" target="_blank">goes well beyond</a> the stone benchtop industry. Around <a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26888888/" target="_blank">3.7% of Australian workers</a> are estimated to be highly exposed to silica at work, and we see workers in other industries, such as quarry work, with silicosis too. Some <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.britannica.com/science/silica" target="_blank">59% of Earth’s crust</a> is silica, so in certain workplaces such as mines and quarries, eliminating silica is not feasible. In these circumstances, exposure must be identified and tightly controlled with measures to prevent dust generation, isolation of workers from the dust, and effective ventilation. If silica cannot be eliminated from a workplace, constant vigilance and evaluation of control strategies are essential. But when it comes to the choice of material for your kitchen benchtop, it’s hard to argue elimination of high-silica artificial stone isn’t feasible. There are many other materials suitable for benchtops that contain little or no silica, such as wood, laminate, steel or marble. Compared with other countries, Australian consumers have developed a particular fondness for artificial stone, which accounts for <a rel="noopener" href="https://s23.q4cdn.com/225400014/files/doc_presentations/Investor-presentation-Sept-2018-Final-Version.pdf" target="_blank">45% of the benchtop market here</a>, but just 14% in the United States. Workers’ lung health may seem like a strange thing to contemplate when designing a kitchen. But increased awareness of this issue is crucial to drive change.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/156208/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ryan-hoy-1211851" target="_blank">Ryan Hoy</a>, Respiratory Physician. Senior Research Fellow. Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065" target="_blank">Monash University</a> This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/renovating-your-kitchen-help-australias-tradies-avoid-silicosis-by-not-choosing-artificial-stone-156208" target="_blank">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

Home Hints & Tips

Tradie faces 36 offences after destroying 68-year-old’s home

An unlicensed tradie has left a man’s house in ruin and drained his life savings - but he’s just one of the builder’s many victims. Tevita Ungounga has received multiple public warnings and convictions for various building offences, and has become well-known to Fair Trading and police. Ian O'Connor, one of Mr Ungounga’s victims, paid the builder $235,000 to build a seawall and renovate his house. Two years after the job commenced, the 68-year-old’s home is filled with unfinished rooms, holey walls, and still has no running water. <img style="width: 396px; height:223px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845577/tradie4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/540e3d1b51e44be8b5c85991b011cce1" /> Mr O’Connor sits in his unfinished home. Image: A Current Affair “He’s a pig, a disgusting pig,” Mr O’Connor told <a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/fake-tradie-who-destroyed-mans-home-draining-him-of-life-savings-exposed/a1de65e0-e586-447f-bb60-f761a0968c64" target="_blank">A Current Affair</a>. “He seemed quite nice, very friendly, but I guess you could say most conmen are.” Mr O’Connor lost his life savings, and has had to delay his retirement and continue working so he can rebuild his home. Mr Ungounga has since been accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $220,000 from homeowners for incomplete or defective work to their homes. He is currently facing these allegations in court. However, complaints about Mr Ungoungu date back to 1998, when he was jailed for 60 days after failing to declare an estimated income of $1.4 million to Hawaii’s tax department. In a civil case, Hawaii’s Regulatory Industries Complaints Office was quoted by the media saying Mr Ungounga was “just very, very good at what he does”. <img style="width: 396px; height:223px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845578/tradie3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/844a284e694e4545a429e5c8b34f21da" /> Mr Ungounga and his wife Siosiana. Image: A Current Affair In 2015, Mr Ungounga and his wife Siosiana received a combined fine of $90,000 under the company name T & T Sandstone. They were fined for engaging in significant residential building work in Australia without a licence. After the incident with Mr O’Connor, Mr Ungoungu was sentenced to a 14-month intensive corrections order this year. He has also been charged with 36 offences by NSW Police, and has been the subject of three public warnings issued by Fair Trading in the last two years. The warnings related to his status as an unlicensed and uninsured tradie, with the organisation urging customers to do their checks before employing Mr Ungoungu. “I never take the money and go, I do the job,” Mr Ungoungu told A Current Affair. Images: A Current Affair

Real Estate

"Dark day": Karl condemns tradies as Melbourne braces for third day of protests

<div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Today host Karl Stefanovic has weighed in on the violent construction worker protests in Melbourne yesterday where three police officers were hospitalised, calling them “heartbreaking and terribly sad.” "It was a dark day. On the streets of a major city - violence, fury, anarchy," Stefanovic added. "Police (were) forced to deploy smoke bombs, pepper spray and plastic bullets,” he said. Three police officers were hospitalised with minor injuries after a group of tradies protesting in Melbourne against mandatory vaccinations in the construction sector turned violent. Police have announced their tactics today "will be different". Today reporter Christine Ahern was caught up in the chaos and said earlier on the show the crew and herself was "physically threatened on numerous occasions". <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 2000 protesters charged through Melbourne yesterday, taking over the city for eight hours. Organisers say they won't stop protesting until their demands are met. MORE: <a href="https://t.co/kRDsizvVgX">https://t.co/kRDsizvVgX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ChristineAhern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChristineAhern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mq5Q8Zha0n">pic.twitter.com/Mq5Q8Zha0n</a> — 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1440403029082054662?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a></blockquote> Thousands of tradies filled the streets of Melbourne in mass protests after the $22 billion construction industry was shut down for two weeks. Anger has been brewing over vaccine mandates, designated break spaces on construction sites being shut down, and the sector’s operation under a 25 per cent worker capacity to meet social distancing requirements. Last week, tradies walked off the job in sporadic strikes, setting up tables and chairs in the middle of streets to take coffee breaks. But the ensuing protests have seen ugly brawls break out with police officers and journalists injured and a dog allegedly kicked. When talking to Waleed Aly on The Project, secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Sally McManus, said the issue could have been handled better by both the Victorian Government and industry bosses, given there was a lack of communication with workers before restrictions came in to place on their work sites. “Culturally for the construction industry, they had to fight for ages to get lunch rooms and then all of a sudden you turn up one day and you can’t use your lunch room. They are already at 25 per cent, already have the social distancing, et cetera, et cetera,” she said. The union’s Victorian state secretary John Setka said there had been little consultation with the government over Covid measures affecting the industry. “I have never spoken to Daniel Andrews to be honest,” Setka told the Today program on Tuesday. “I have never met him and never spoken to him. I’ve had no discussions with Daniel Andrews ever.” Tradies unlikely alone in views Those watching the chaos outside the CFMEU office were horrified, but experts say the angry boilover is unsurprising. University of Melbourne law professor Joo-Cheong Tham said the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) fundamentally opposes vaccine mandates. Some individual unions are in favour of requiring jabs among their workforces – teachers for example – but Prof Tham said the broader union movement has been “remarkably cohesive in opposing employer mandates”. “Four interlocking principles underpin this position,” he wrote in an article for <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.theconversation.com/" target="_blank">The Conversation</a>. “They are (that) high vaccination rates should be attained through encouragement and facilitation, not employer mandates; that where strictly necessary, mandates should be implemented through public health orders; that effective access to vaccines should be secured; and that the voices of workers should be respected.” Image: Today and Twitter </div>

News

Tradie saves sunbaking woman after random stabbing attack

On Monday, 23-year-old Kaitlin Jones was sunbaking on popular Blacks Beach near Mackay in Queensland when she was allegedly stabbed multiple times in a random attack by a sixteen-year-old boy. The teen was unknown to her and allegedly stabbed her multiple times, inflicting serious wounds to her head, neck, chest and arms. Jones ran screaming along the beach and a local tradie called Gavin Odgaard heard her screams for help and ran to assist her. The 58-year-old carpenter said: “I got down closer to her and I could see the blood on her.” She said to me: “Help me, help me, help me, I’ve been stabbed. I don’t want to die.” Tradie has extensive first aid training Luckily Odgaard has extensive first aid training so he knew how to help: “I listened to the way she was breathing and her voice, and she said she had been stabbed in the chest and I realised she hasn’t had a punctured lung and her breathing was normal,” he said. “The cut, the stab wound to the side of the head, was bleeding more than any of the wounds that I could see, but she constantly kept pleading, ‘help me, help me, I don’t want to die’,” he added. Odgaard made the woman comfortable and watched her closely until the paramedics arrived. Another tradie called Paul Ferdinand who was on the same construction site as Odgaard, helped out as well. Jones asked Ferdinand to call her mother and tell her what had happened. Ferdinand did this for the young woman and they asked her who had carried out this attack on her. “She said she was lying down sunbaking, he’s walked past her, she didn’t really take too much notice and 10 minutes later he’s come back on top of her, stabbing her,” Ferdinand said. “He’s lucky we didn’t see him,” he added. 16-year-old teen has been taken into custody Detective Inspector Tom Armitt said Kaitlin Jones is now in a stable condition in Mackay Base Hospital and would need “attention to some serious lacerations”. Queensland Police have revealed they took a 16-year-old boy into custody after an extensive search. The teen is now being questioned in relation to the attack on Kailin Jones and charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm. Police will allege the male launched the random attack while the woman sunbaked and stabbed her multiple times in the neck and body with a knife before fleeing the scene. The 16-year-old was refused bail and is due to appear before the Mackay Children’s Court on Tuesday. Images: Facebook

Legal

Young tradie’s “embarrassing” blunder

A Melbourne tradie learned he had arrived for a job at the wrong house, after he had just finished ripping up the unknown owner’s backyard pavers. The tradesman arrived at the Cranbourne West home, in Melbourne’s southeast, before his boss on Monday, May 18 and got straight to work. But little did he know, there was another house with the exact same number just three doors down the road. He shared his “embarrassing” error on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dafishaaa">TikTok</a> the following day, writing: “When you go to prep a pour and end up going to the wrong house.” “What a way to start the day,” he says in the clip that has since been watched over 165,000 times. “I get a text to say the address is 37, I word up the client that we’ll come in with the excavator, waited for Tyler, pulled up the pavers, only to find out, there’s a 37 all the way down there too,” he said. “I’ve just gone to a complete stranger’s house, got them to open up the shed, pulled out their pavers, waited for my boss, just to find out it’s the wrong house.” His boss also made a video recording the blunder. “Get a load of this,” he says in the clip before panning across to the house where the work had been done. “I’m running late, so he comes in and starts moving things and ripping up pavers, but what he didn’t know was that’s actually the wrong house,” he said. “And he started ripping up someone else’s pavers, ready for a job that’s not going to happen at their house. “He doesn’t know what to do. So now we have to put back the pavers and apologise to whoever it is.” The mix-up happened as both homes had planned renovations that morning and were both numbered 37 but had different street names, so the owners had let him in assuming he was their builder. The owners were extremely understanding, with the tradie saying “they always seem to get parcels that belong to the actual 37”.

Home & Garden

"Hold my beer": Tradie captured surfing huge croc

A photo dubbed “the most Australian photo ever” has gone viral after a tradie decided to ride a monster crocodile. The tradie tied a rope around the reptile’s mouth and made a lead to get the crocodile into the shallow waters, where the photo seemed to be taken. The photo went viral on Reddit, with many surprised at the photo. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841243/crocs-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/49f2c7cca044439095cbcaa831aad306" /> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> 'You know for sure that the last thing he said was "Hold my beer,"' one user said. 'Glad he was wearing hi-vis... you know for safety,' another wrote. 'This guy takes the Australian surfer cliche to a whole 'nother level,' another commented. Photo credits: Reddit </div>

Family & Pets

Tradie’s heartwarming note to little boy goes viral

A tradie's note to a young boy who helped out with work on a family home has captivated over 250,000 people on social media. Taking to Twitter to share the touching gesture, British woman Steph Kemp took a photo of the builder’s printed “pay packet” letter for her six-year-old son. Blown away by his “kind” gesture, she revealed she had her patio renovated her son Harry loved helping the builder out. “So it made his day to receive this. What an example of kindness,” she said alongside a snap of the note. The completed responsibilities of the “smashing little guy” includes passing bricks, passing “little pavers”, mixing cement and loading stone. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> We have just had our patio done and my 6yo has loved going out and helping the builder, so it made his day to receive this. What an example of kindness 😊 <a href="https://t.co/Wq39TU4uwL">pic.twitter.com/Wq39TU4uwL</a> — Steph Kemp (@steph_heathcote) <a href="https://twitter.com/steph_heathcote/status/1287688369905033217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> It also appears the little boy went above and beyond during his short stint as a tradie, “taking pictures of black birds and spiders”. He was rewarded a grand total of £10 ($A18) for all of his hard work, “minus tax and national insurance”, of course. The tweet has attracted more than 250,000 likes and been shared more than 22,000 times. “This is lovely – what a kind man! Keeping him in mind for future projects – the builder, not your son!” one person replied. “This is so special, thoughtful and empowering, I am sure that your son as he gets older will reflect on that act of respectful kindness,” wrote another. But, in usual internet fashion, not all replies saw the adorable side to the innocent note. “Yeah show him from a young age that all his hard work will be rewarded very minimally and show him he will not be adequately trained for the job,” one user responded. “This is actually bullying of a young child and it’s horrific.” And another: “As a builder I’d like to add the other side. Construction sites are dangerous places and I’ve lost track of the amount of times I’ve had to have stern words with customers that insist on letting their little darlings run around freely after already being asked nicely to stop them.” While others had a lighthearted reaction. “Love it but he shouldn’t be getting tax and national insurance deductions based on his age and income,” one person joked.

Home & Garden

"Butter chicken man" given free butter chicken for a year after $1652 fine

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Construction worker Noel Atkinson drove 32 kilometres in search of butter chicken and defied stay-at-home orders in his hunt for food. He was pulled over by police just metres from his ideal restaurant, he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/mad-mad-world/melbourne-man-half-indian-drives-30km-for-butter-chicken-fined-rs-86k-for-lockdown-violation/articleshow/77081044.cms?fbclid=IwAR1BcIacC4Wi-7OglljjaA1evo8edsC0bg0gvYoO-uNa2ZAlXoxCZpCD5x0" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">Times of India</a>. "Since it was after 11pm, all restaurants in my area were closed and I wanted to have butter chicken. I finally found one restaurant that was open, but there was no home delivery to my place due to the distance. So I decided to go there." Atkinson was issued with an infringement notice for breaching the stay-at-home orders issued in Melbourne. "I told the police I was out to buy food but was ordered to go home. Cops followed me for some time to make sure I was headed home," he explained. He made headlines around the world as "Butter Chicken Man", as many could relate to his quest for food. Atkinson plans on contesting the fine in court. "I don't think the rules are clear on how far a person is allowed to travel for food or takeaway. I will ask police to waive off the fine or approach the local court." <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0Al6FBfkJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0Al6FBfkJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/melbourne-man-cops-covid-fine-for-driving-from-werribee-to-cbd-for-butter-chicken-c-1175594 We 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹𝒶 get it... The lengths one can go to get that #Perfect👌 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧... especially during the lockdown #Werribee you don't need to risk a fine for a delightful 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 Just give our @desidhaba.tarneit outlet a call on (𝟎𝟑) 𝟖𝟕𝟓𝟒 𝟖𝟕𝟏𝟏 - And We'll deliver in a jiffy 🛵💨 . . . . . #MelbourneLockdown #melbournelockdown2 #melbourneLockdown2020 #ClientTestimonial #melbournelockdownagain #melbournelockdownroundtwo #smallbusinesssupport #melbournecbd #melbournecity #melbournelife #melbournefood #melbourneiloveyou #melbourneeats #cityofmelbourne #melbournesights #melbournetodo #ilovemelbourne #bhfyp #williamslanding #laverton #melbournewest #melbournian #tarneit #truganina #pointcook #wyndhamvale #hopperscrossing #localbusiness</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/desidhaba_melbourne/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Desi Dhaba</a> (@desidhaba_melbourne) on Jul 18, 2020 at 10:53pm PDT </div> </blockquote> Amit Tetja, owner of Desi Dhaba, which was the restaurant Atkinson was driving to, said he was surprised someone got fined for driving to his restaurant. "I will be providing him free butter chicken for a year once he is able to visit us post lockdown." In an Instagram post, they wrote: “We kinda get it … the lengths one can go to get that perfect butter chicken, especially during lockdown. “Werribee you don’t need to risk a fine for a delightful Sunday night dinner.” The restaurant said it was not supporting or promoting that people should step out in these times and break rules. “We are only being compassionate for Noel and his love for our food as these are hard times for all and our empathy is towards all,” the eatery said. </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

How to pick a good tradie in 5 easy steps

Whether you are in the market for a large-scale renovation or some smaller jobs around the house, selecting the right tradesperson can be a difficult and stressful experience. For every positive encounter, many people have had or know someone who has had a negative experience with a tradesperson. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do before you commit your job to somebody, which will ultimately help to ensure it is completed on time, on budget and to the right standard. Step 1: Shop around before you commit Treat choosing a tradesperson as you would treat buying a car. It’s unlikely you would ever purchase the first car you inspected, and likewise there is no obligation to give your job to the first tradesperson you call. “RACV research shows that many people don’t know a good electrician or plumber as the job frequency for most households is less than once a year,” Aaron Flavell, General Manager Home Services at RACV says. Aaron recommends getting multiple quotes to ensure you are best equipped to make an informed decision – “but a tip is to close off your job once you have three quotes so you don’t get bombarded.” There are a number of websites offering instant quotes from multiple companies, but it is always best to go directly to the tradesperson. These websites typically charge tradespeople to have their services featured and pass these costs to the customers, and speaking to somebody directly will allow you to ask follow-up questions. Step 2: Listen to word of mouth The internet age means that anybody with a smartphone has access to a myriad reviews – not just of tradespeople but of mechanics, doctors and other service providers – in their pocket. But while online review sites such as Word of Mouth Online and Product Review can be handy, they aren’t the be all and end all. Aaron Flavell, General Manager Home Services at RACV, says you can’t beat old-fashioned word-of-mouth. “If you have family members, friends or colleagues who have recently had work done around the house, ask them questions about the tradespeople they used." He adds, “You are more likely to get an honest answer from somebody you know rather than relying on stranger’s opinions online.” Step 3: Check on their credentials Each state and territory has its own laws about licensing – for example in Victoria anybody doing residential building work worth more than $5,000 must be a registered building practitioner. A quick way to ensure the tradesperson you’ve been speaking with has the right accreditation is to visit <a href="http://www.licensedtrades.com.au/">licensedtrades.com.au</a>. Australia’s only comprehensive license-checking site features an easy-to-use database of more than 1.2 million trade professionals across the country. Another good sign is if your tradesperson is a member of their peak organisation such as the Masters Building Association or Master Plumbers. By going to these peak organisations directly, you will be able to obtain a list of credentialed professionals in your local area. Step 4: Get a detailed quote It sounds simple, but Aaron Flavell, General Manager Home Services at RACV, says some people can forget crucial elements to their quote that can lead to headaches down the track. “It is important that you get a quote with a breakdown of the total figure – how much of the cost relates to materials and relates to labour,” he says. Aaron says all quotes should feature the ABN and/or license number of the tradesperson. “You should also ask questions when you receive the quote; for example does it factor in any weekend or public holiday rates that may be necessary and how have the labour costs been calculated?” As with any other service provider and given the fluid nature of the work, the cost of the job may increase when it’s in progress. Aaron says the best way to avoid ‘bill shock’ at the end of the job is to be up-front with your tradesperson throughout the process, and ask questions in advance about how they will handle and communicate any unexpected changes to the quote or the timeframe of the job. “Communication is key. A lot of the stress involved in hiring a tradesperson can be alleviated if you ask plenty of questions, get everything in writing and make sure your tradesperson knows you expect to be informed as soon as anything changes.” If you are using an online platform to request a quote, Aaron recommends attaching a picture or video of the job in question to enable more accurate quoting. Step 5: Be prepared if something does go wrong Aaron advises that while homeowners can take every precaution to ensure that the process runs smoothly, occasionally issues can arise that require action. “If you have a complaint about your tradesperson that cannot be resolved simply by having a conversation with them, the steps you can take vary from state to state,” he says. In Victoria, free advice is available from Consumer Affairs Victoria, which may include a technical inspection by a Victorian Building Authority Inspector to assist conciliation. Editor's note: similar services are available in all states. Aaron adds, “Regardless of where you live, if you are unhappy with your tradesperson and want to pursue it with the relevant bodies in your state or territory, it is important you document everything. Keep time-stamped photos of the job and a diary, and retain copies of all letters and emails sent to your tradesperson. These will be vital to have if your complaint progresses to your local Civil and Administrative Tribunal." Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/wyza-life/how-to-pick-a-good-tradie-in-5-easy-steps.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Legal

5 tips to avoid getting ripped off by tradies

Wary about hiring a tradie? You’re not alone. According to a <a href="https://www.serviceseeking.com.au/blog/insights/new-survey-uncovers-top-tactics-used-australian-tradie-rip-off-merchants/">2018 survey</a>, 55 per cent of Australians have been ripped off by a tradesperson at some point, with the biggest complaint being getting charged “surprise additional costs at the end of the job”. However, you can minimise the risk of running into dodgy tradies by following these tips. 1. Check their qualifications Depending on the industry and the state you live in, tradies may be required to have a licence to practice their profession. You can check a tradie’s licence or registrations at websites like <a href="http://www.licensedtrades.com.au/">Licensed Trades</a>. Don’t forget to check their insurance coverage and compliance certificate. These will help you avoid further out-of-pocket costs that might be incurred from accidents on your site or any damage due to substandard or incomplete work. 2. Ask for quotes Jeremy Levitt, co-founder of tradie website Seeking Service recommends getting at least five quotes before hiring a contractor. “Comparing a number of quotes at once ensures you get the best price possible and don’t overpay,” Levitt told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/other-industries/new-survey-uncovers-top-tactics-used-by-australian-tradie-ripoff-merchants/news-story/3c91d24761017f92a52fa3ae6ba70441">news.com.au</a>. Comparing quotes can be a tricky art, but the key is to be as specific as possible about the work. The <a href="https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/building-and-renovating/preparing-to-build-and-renovate/getting-quotes">NSW Fair Trading</a> recommended writing a job brief detailing all the work to be done (including cleanups and paint jobs, for example), the brand names and models of the materials required, and the design plans if they apply. 3. Talk to previous customers Ask them for references from completed jobs that are similar to yours. You can also find their social media pages or look for online reviews to make sure other customers have satisfactory experience – the last thing you want to run into is their name on callout pages like <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nameandshametradies/">this one</a>. 4. Get things in writing Ready to hire? Get a contract written up and signed by both parties. The contract should detail the tradie’s name or business name, ABN and contact details, along with the signing date and a breakdown of the costs (both material and labour). 5. Do not pay in cash Not even if they offer discounts. If something goes wrong, you will have no <a href="https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/how-to-avoid-getting-ripped-off-by-tradies-055208526.html">payment evidence</a> and may have no way of getting amends.

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