VCMLA Newslettervcmla.asn.au/pdf/newsletters/october_2011.pdf · humorous reflections on the CMT...
Transcript of VCMLA Newslettervcmla.asn.au/pdf/newsletters/october_2011.pdf · humorous reflections on the CMT...
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12October 2011
Page 1 of 8
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Message from the Chairman 1
Letters to the Editor 1
Australian Construction Materials Testing Conference
2
Getting it done! 4
How Quick Are You 5
Down to earth 6
News update 8
Editors corner 8
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Several members over recent months have been asking the question “What award covers soil laboratory testers”? The government in recent
years has slowly been phasing out State awards in order for all workers to be covered under a national award system. Once an award has expired and they all do,
the National Award takes effect. In my personal view this is a good thing, allowing staff working interstate equal rights and conditions. The award covering our industry is the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2010 MA000010. A copy of the award can be obtained from the Manufactures Skills Australia web site.
It is very detailed and a little confusing with regards to the classification system. There is an opportunity to try to link this graded system with our own internal levels and that of NATA. With an upcoming NATA technical forum occurring on November 22nd 2011, an opportunity exists to open discussions on this issue. I hope to see you all there. Ernie Gmehling Chairman
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
It is hard to believe how the last few months have gone as we race towards the festive season. I know I will not be the only one looking for a bit of a break. I recently returned from the ‘Australian Conference of Construction Materials Testing’ conference held recently in Brisbane. It was impossible not to enjoy yourself when faced with so many colleagues from the same industry.
Catching up with Karen Moore from NATA (Melbourne Office) at the conference reception.
Our counterparts in Queensland, the AGTA (Australian Geotechnical Testing Association) did a tremendous job in organising and holding a great event. See the next article for more details. Have a safe and happy Xmas. Don’t forget to drop me a line should you have a comment you think may be of interest. You can e‐mail me at [email protected].
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12October 2011
Page 2 of 8
AUSTRLIAN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING CONFERENCE
The Australian Conference of Construction Materials Testing 2011 was held in Brisbane over three days (12, 13 & 14 October). The theme for the conference was “Engaging the Future”. The recent AGTA 2011 conference held in Brisbane in September got off with a bang literally with thunder and drenching rain to mark the occasion. The weather could not however dampen the enthusiasm of all who attended. The event was well attended with around 190 delegates from all States as well as a large continent from New Zealand. The event had been due to be held earlier in the year but had had to be cancelled due to the floods. The AGTA team had to find another venue as the original was not available for later in the year. What a great effort to find a second great venue in such a short time...well done! The ‘ice‐breaker’ pre‐conference drinks and nibbles was well attended and appreciated by conference goers. Those with strengthen forearms from years of compaction found no difficulty in lifting their glasses without any sign of discomfort or harm. Luckily the conference
proper that got underway the next day did not have a ‘zero drugs’ policy! The presenters at the conference were well received with their insightful and sometimes humorous reflections on the CMT industry. As was befitting of the theme “Engaging the future” there were two presentations regarding vocational training. One was from Alan Bartlett Consulting and the second from KASE Enterprises. Both were very informative. Throughout the three day event there were frequent visits by an unusual chap called ‘Con the
Concreter’ aka comedian Noel Sheridan. His picture shown here sets the scene as he introduced speakers and tried his best to sort out how the CMT business worked. ‘Con the
Concreter’, I’m sure reminded many of someone at some time they had come across in the industry.
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12October 2011
Page 3 of 8
NATA had several NATA staff in attendance. NATA’s presentation outlined recent changes to the NATA supervision policy. Brett Hyland, as the newly appointed Sector Manager, Infrastructure outlined recent changes within NATA. There were stalls from the majority of equipment suppliers from around Australia with many demonstrating the latest equipment available. Most had two or more representatives on hand. Even so at times it was hard to get near a representative due to the throng of delegates. Dom Meadley (VCMLA Committee Member) was there representing NATA and gave two presentations. One covered equipment assurance programs and the other looked at the impact of CMT laboratories on the environment. In particular Dom gave a number of sound ways laboratories could reduce their footprint and save money at the same time.
Henry Crichton gave us a look into how the Qld Main Roads ‘Laboratory Registration Scheme’ worked and was poised to be rolled out soon. Henry also indicated that he would be retiring which will be a blow for many around Australia who new him.
An interesting presentation was given by Rodger Chandler from Keynetix Ltd (UK) on using the Association of Geotechnical and Geo‐environmental Specialist (AGS) File Format for managing data. It is likely we could all be using this system in the future.
The conference dinner was a great night with of course ‘Con the Concreter’ keeping us all well and truly entertained. Mark Owttrim (QLD – Department of Transport & Main Roads) wore many hats appearing as presenter and master of ceremonies well as being part of the AGTA organising committee. He and others summed up the event as worthwhile but particularly important as the industry looked to the future with a younger generation set to make their marks. The AGTA team have done a remarkable job in bring it all together. It will be a hard act to follow but the early indication is that NSW is keen to pick up the baton for the next conference in 2 years time.
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12October 2011
Page 4 of 8
GETTING IT DONE!
The new Peninsula Link Freeway had to pass under the Frankston‐Stony Point Railway at Langwarrin but how do you construct a bridge without a major disruption to rail traffic? Oh, and did I mention the bridge is located on a curve in the line, increasing the degree of difficulty? And that there was a fair amount of excavation to be done? The pressure was definitely on!
The solution was brilliant – and the rail line was only closed for 72 hours over a Friday‐Sat‐Sunday.
Clink on this link to see an amazing time lapse presentation of this civil engineering achievement, which was completed within the planned timeframe over 2, 3, and 4 September 2011.
Why haven’t you heard about it – because it was a well planned and executed operation, and nothing went wrong!
http://www.linkingmelbourne.vic.gov.au/pages‐support/videos‐penlink/lma‐video.asp?mode=fullscreen&id=pl_stony_tl1
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12October 2011
Page 5 of 8
Ever wondered where all the old and worn out road markers go!
This road marker’s cemetery is located just outside Daylesford, Vic
_______________________________________________________________________________________
How Quick Are You?
We kicked this one around the lab but could not figure it out. Our first thoughts were wrong and we had to look at the answer. See if you can figure out what these seven words all have in common?
1. Banana
2. Dresser
3. Grammar
4. Potato
5. Revive
6. Uneven
7. Assess
Are you peeking at the answer? Give it another try.... before reading further.
Look at each word carefully. You'll kick yourself when you discover the answer.
No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.... Well done if you got it right….we didn’t! Answer is in ‘Editors Corner’ – Page 8
Wash Sieves Did you know that NATA require wash sieves to be checked as per UKAS 22 ?
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12October 2011
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DOWN TO EARTH I caught up with Calum recently for the following interview.
Calum Wheeler has worked in the construction Industry for 15 years and is currently the Regional Technical Manager for Hanson Construction Materials Southern Region.
When did you start in the construction industry?
I started in 1996 with Geotechnical Engineering as a Hilf technician working on the Calder and City Link projects. The role as a junior lab tech allowed me to gain valuable experience and an insight to the technical side of the construction industry. I then took up a position with Boral in their Central Laboratory located at Montrose. In my time in this laboratory I progressed from laboratory technician to the role or lab supervisor. The position enabled me to develop a strong skill set and understanding of aggregate and soils testing. Following a family illness I took a side step moving into a concrete field tester role also within Boral. The role allowed me to gain experience in the field of concrete testing where I worked on projects ranging from precast panel yards to high rise inner city buildings. I then took up a role with VicRoads in their laboratory. The role involved carrying out pavement investigations, surveillance visits and some specialised surface testing which I enjoyed immensely. This role also allowed me to focus on projects from an end users point of view. A role within Hanson’s technical department then came up and I have now been there for about 5 years.
What do you think your biggest challenge has been?
There have been several challenges throughout my career including several challenging projects along the way. The industry has definitely progressed significantly in the fifteen years I have been involved in it with specifiers looking to push concrete and crushed rocks to their limits. Suppliers and contractors alike are working closer to the tolerances and limits of the materials abilities. It keeps me on
my toes but it is what I enjoy most about my role in the industry. As soon as you get a mix or a process right you can’t turn your back and walk away as you need to continuously improve to stay on top of things.
Do you do a lot of development and research as part of your role?
Over my career I have been fortunate to be involved in several R&D projects and within my current role like all suppliers we are continually looking to develop both new products and improve existing mixes to better utalise our reserves. There is always a project that is requesting something new so there is research and development is a regular part of my role.
What do you think is the biggest thing facing the Industry at the moment?
NATA’s new Policy 26 is very much a touchy subject at the moment. At some point whether it be people in the commercial side of the industry or the suppliers side of the industry, someone is going to be seen as the training ground and have people poached, with NATA’s new requirement of minimum training levels and experience requirements
The other thing is definitely future reserves and access to them. Working within a quarrying business it is now extraordinarily difficult to access new reserves particularly in the metro Melbourne area. The flow on effect of this to the industry is that materials will need to be carted further therefore increasing the cost of projects.
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12
October 2011 Have you got policy 26 and annex 3.5 under control at Hansons?
We are have put processes in place now to manage this new requirement. We have a lot of 1 man operations in our quarry’s which means we need to have a high number of experienced personnel to cover the new requirement. While we are well covered in the short term it will potentially cause issues when people leave or are promoted as replacements will need to be experienced with both a minimal level of formal training and time spent in the laboratory meaning 2 people at each site need to be fully trained.
Page 7 of 8
What sort of advice would you give someone entering the industry?
Try and enjoy themselves and extend their knowledge throughout the whole industry as opposed to focussing on one small area. If the laboratory your in does aggregate testing, soil testing and concrete testing stick your nose in all three areas as the industry covers them all and they are all linked. Jumping from one area to another is as good as a career change in certain aspects while staying under the same umbrella in the industry. In my 15 years in this industry I’ve enjoyed looking at all areas rather knuckling down into one small area. Getting a broad experience has opened my eyes to all aspects of the industry and ticks a lot more of the boxes as to why things are done in certain ways.
Do you see any emerging technology being important in the future?
There is always emerging technology with regards to construction processes. Better machines to make roads, more accurate ways to place concrete. The admixtures going into concrete push mixes further than they have in the past. Admixtures in the future will continue to push concrete mixes and may also be adapted to push our raw materials beyond their current limits. Across the board I can see there will
be developments in all areas, in pavement technologies, in raw materials and admixtures as well.
If you had your time again is there anything you would change about yourself?
I have been fortunate throughout my career to have been given excellent opportunities as well as exposure to talented and experienced people. I would have liked to have completed my formal tertiary qualifications earlier as the longer you leave it the more commitments seem to tie you down.
Victorian Construction Materials
Laboratories Association.
Contact details on the
web
www.vcmla.asn.au
What sorts of things do you do to unwind?
I’m a big fan of the bush. My family has some land at Mt Macedon which I like to get away to, it is out of mobile phone range as well which is an added bonus. I have two young boys that keep me entertained with the oldest three and a half year and my youngest only a week old. Over the last few years I have also I’ve been renovating the family home which can be both rewarding and frustrating, two steps forwards and one step back.
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VCMLA NewsletterIssue 12October 2011
Page 8 of 8
NEWS UPDATE NATA NATA is holding its annual members meeting on Thursday the 22 November 2011. Following the members meeting there will be a number of forums held covering various testing fields. A forum for the Construction Materials Testing laboratories is also scheduled. For more details contact the Melbourne NATA office. Please attend and add your voice to matters that are of concern to you. I am sure also that NATA would be pleased to hear from those who wish to voice their support.
It can get hot.....some overseas construction workers decided to create their own shade for lunch! We are planning a special edition of the VCMLA Newsletter in 2012 covering ‘safety in the laboratory’. If you have an interesting photo showing an aspect of safety the editor would be very grateful to receive your contribution.
EDITORS CORNER VCMLA Newsletter The VCMLA Newsletter is published on a quarterly basis (four issues per year) Please note that the views expresses in the VCMLA Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the VCMLA. Editor contact details The Editor can be contacted on 5436 1019 or e‐mail [email protected] Articles needed If you have an article you feel would be of interest to our members or if the writing bug has got to you then send your contribution into the editor. Either fax or e‐mail your contribution to the VCMLA Newsletter to the editor. Advertising Advertising in the Newsletter is encouraged. Fee is $50 per half page. Further enquiries can be directed to the Editor. Buy & Sell Do you have any used testing equipment, building material or a relocatable building? If you believe that a laboratory might be interested in what you have to offer then drop the editor a line to have it advertised for free in the next issue of VCMLA Newsletter. Do you have an interesting photo? If you come across an interesting or funny photo relating to the construction industry I would be very pleased to hear from you. Please forward you photo to the editor for inclusion in VCMLA Newsletter. How Quick Are You ‐ ANSWER In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word. Did you figure it out?
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