Site Access

Casa2 · Sep 18, 2007 2:11 pm

All,

When I finally get around to signing my building contract, I would like to specify site access. This way I can go on site whenever I like. In particular I'd like to go on site every Sunday and casually check things before they get "beyond the point of no return". It will also help with taking photographs to know where services are located for future reference as well as that warm feeling you get when things are happening.

I would still like to go on site once or twice a week while it is manned, but this is a different story.

The usual excuse given by builders is that site access is not allowed since it is an OH&S issue or an insurance issue. However, I’m led to believe that if I get a green card (approximately 4 hour course) and get inducted on the site then I'm legally allowed on the site - alone or accompanied.

It seems strange to me that:

1) It's your property
2) It's your baby, so to speak

But builders don’t want you on site. Are they trying to hide something?

I'm pretty certain you are allowed on site, since when renovating, that's exactly what must happen. It’s just a matter of organising it and not accepting excuses that are only to the builders benefit.

Does anyone know how to organise site access or can confirm if my understanding is correct?

Cheers,
Casa

Adrian B · Sep 18, 2007 2:23 pm

I'll be honest, I wouldnt mention it.

We got acces to the site just by driving there, and seeing if anyone was working on it.

TIP = Get a little esky, and put a 6 pack and some ice in it.

This will get you onto a site any time, worked a treat for me.

The issue is that of OHS and insurance, and I can understand that. Whilst it does not always protect the builder, it is there to ensure your safety. If I needed access, I just arranged a site visit through our builder, ie for [photos etc).

Here is another tip. Our supervisor lived in Geelong, and nearly passed our door each time he went home. So we did a deal that he could meet us there every 2nd Friday arvo at 2pm. We saw the house and asked questions, he got to leve work earlyish.

oh, plus the aforementioned beer.

Spot · Sep 18, 2007 2:37 pm

Sorry, this won't help with the legal side of things, but just our experience. Our builder is completley fine with us going to and in the house. Husband is doing our kitchen as he is a cabinet maker (and works for the same company that the builder uses for their kitchens anyway) he is just doing it in his own time. But even apart from that they have encouraged us to go there and keep and eye on things and let us know if there is anything we aren't sure about.

Firthy_26 · Sep 18, 2007 4:06 pm

Hi Casa,

I posted this a while back on a different thread, just found it again...

Hope it helps. http://www.newhomeinspections.com.au/ (under the FAQ's)

Quote:

My builder doesn't allow anybody not employed by him on site?

It is a requirement of both your Building Agreement and of the Building Act. That your builder allows you, or anyone acting as your agent, fair and reasonable access to your New Home, if they refuse they can be penalised under the Building Act.

Cheers,
Mike.

Sallyho · Sep 18, 2007 4:13 pm

Whilst a greencard is required to go on site, you will also need insurance.
I generally just duck down after hours and check out what they've been up to if needed. Or as Adrian mentioned arrange for an on site with visit with my site manager, takes a hole 2 seconds to organise.

Casa2 · Sep 18, 2007 4:39 pm

Firthy,

It's very interesting to note that "It is a requirement of both your Building Agreement and of the Building Act. That your builder allows you, or anyone acting as your agent, fair and reasonable access to your New Home, if they refuse they can be penalised under the Building Act. "

Strange how the law is fair (once again), but builders want to hide the law from you.

So if I read this correctly, if I wanted to visit the site a couple of times a week then the builder is obliged to give me access.

Of course, I'd like to take a leisurely look on every Sunday. I’d prefer to do this by myself so that the builder doesn’t incur any costs and I don’t feel a need to rush.

Sallyho,

So if I get a green card and organise my own insurance, I can go on site whenever I want and by myself?

I'd prefer to do everything above board, even though everyone building goes on site after hours and check how their "baby" is coming along.

Cheers,
Casa

Firthy_26 · Sep 18, 2007 6:05 pm

That's how I read it too Casa.

Obviously getting some conflicting / contradicting answers.

Our builder has no problems with us on site while they are there so it doesn't really affect us.

Mike.

off2theburbs · Sep 18, 2007 7:26 pm

our builders has no problem with us visiting the site we did sign an appendix at contract stating they wern't responsible if we injured ourselves.

Courtancer · Sep 18, 2007 7:29 pm

Select the right builder and you will have no problems. Our builder would leave a door or a window unlocked for us if we were going there straight after work. When it was at full lockup stage he also unofficially gave us a key.

Casa2 · Sep 18, 2007 10:09 pm

It appears that site access is somewhat at the discretion of the builder. Bit of a lottery in a way.

D&B · Sep 19, 2007 10:02 am

I can't see any reason why, if you take the proper safety precautions, you can't be allowed on YOUR property whenever you like.

Sallyho · Sep 19, 2007 11:10 am

Casa2, you would need to research the topic a little more, I just know with my brothers business all his boys need to be greencarded and covered by insurance before they can enter any building site to commence work. Is you builder part of a union also????? If so you may need to be union(ised) as well. I am by no means an expert in this area so would recommend that you seek alternate advice. .

Casa2 · Sep 19, 2007 1:46 pm

Sallyho

Casa2, you would need to research the topic a little more, I just know with my brothers business all his boys need to be greencarded and covered by insurance before they can enter any building site to commence work. Is you builder part of a union also????? If so you may need to be union(ised) as well. I am by no means an expert in this area so would recommend that you seek alternate advice. .

I don't want to work on the building site, just visit it whenever I please.

Happy to get a greencard and organise insurance (or indemnify the builder). Certainly don't want to become a union member just to inspect my building :shock:

parker · Sep 19, 2007 2:15 pm

Workcover requirements say greencard and site induction are required. Insurance would depend on the builder's policy etc.

Casa2 · Sep 19, 2007 3:44 pm

parker

Workcover requirements say greencard and site induction are required. Insurance would depend on the builder's policy etc.

parker,

Thanks for a clear and concise answer (and I assume accurate). This is exactly what I wanted to hear. So now if I get a green card, it's totally in the builder's court whether they induct me. I guess I should ask the question early in the selection process while they're eager to get my business.

Cheers,
Casa

P.S. Has anyone offically organised site access with their builder?

P.P.S. Has anyone unoffically had site access. That is, gone on site when no one was there? Second thoughts, don't answer this second question, as everyone will reply and it will be yes.

Sallyho · Sep 19, 2007 4:47 pm

Casa2, speaking to your builder would be a logical place to start.........
At least this way you will get the clarity you need.

Sallyho · Sep 19, 2007 5:44 pm

Also just found this info for you Casa2.........

OH&S General Induction Certificate - Green Card / White Card

During the 90's the construction industry adopted the term "Green Card" for workers who completed an approved OH&S Induction course and therefore earned the "right to work permit" on construction sites, a similar analogy to the the "Green Card right to work permit" that is issued in the USA.

In NSW, workers who complete a WorkCover approved OH&S General Induction Course (for construction) are issued a temporary certificate valid for 30 days.

During the training course the participant completes an application form for a Construction Induction Certificate which the trainer sends to WorkCover. A wallet size White Card is then sent by WorkCover to the participants home address.

This course only needs to be completed once, unless the worker leaves the industry for more than 2 years in which case the course has to be done again.

As it is an inconvenience to carry a certificate around, the wallet size card is used as evidence that the holder has attended the required training.

On a construction site a worker cannot commence until the principle contractor is satisfied that that worker has undergone:

1. General OH&S Induction Training (Green Card/White Card)

2. Work Activity OH&S Training (sometimes called the Blue Card, eg traffic control, confined spaces)

3. Site Specific Safety Induction (for the particular site and provided by site management)

Hope this helps a little, and just looking around google its only going to cost $100-$110

Casa2 · Sep 19, 2007 5:57 pm

Sallyho,

You're fantastic

Thanks for all your help here and in the other posts.

Cheers,
Casa

Sallyho · Sep 19, 2007 6:01 pm

You're more than welcome

commodorenut · Sep 19, 2007 9:07 pm

I did my greencard (the card itself is white) at TAFE about 18 months ago.

The green card is now a requirement for entry at many large mine sites & power stations, and as I visit them for work, I had to do it.

It was a single-day course, with a few videos, lectures, and a written exam at the end. I was the only person in a class of 18 that was over 20 years old!

The NSW TAFE details are here:
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/howex/servlet ... rseNo=1209

And this is an alternative for those close enough to Sydney or Parramatta::
http://www.advanceohs.com.au/courses.asp?id=54