The 2014 Lacrosse apartment fire, 2017 Grenfell Tower fire and the more recent Neo200 fire all serve to highlight numerous safety risks brought on by non-compliance in the building and construction industry. All three fire incidents revealed building structural problems and the non-compliant use of building products, particularly the use of combustible cladding material. These
Australia has some of the most complex and stringent building standards and legislation. Private building certifiers know this all too well, as they have to navigate a labyrinth of building and construction codes on behalf of their clients. Predictably, the rigorous processes of approving building plans and issuing final certificates involve loads of paperwork. But
Entering the post-COVID world may seem as daunting as lockdown itself. And, as an office manager, you will have many questions about the health and safety of your workforce as you prepare to welcome them back. Let’s take a look at what you can do to minimise COVID-19 infection in the workplace, and help you
According to recent statistics and observations, ransomware attacks are on a sharp rise, and the associated costs of successful attacks are skyrocketing. Ransomware attacks remain the most prevalent and damaging forms of cyber-attacks. In most attacks, the hacker encrypts the victim’s data and demands a payout (ransom) to withdraw the siege. This type of attack
How to Maintain Cybersecurity While Working From Home As the world continues to grapple with COVID-19 – a still unfamiliar global health threat – companies and organisations have been tasked to develop strategies to protect their employees while continuing to operate, even with a scaled-down or skeletal workforce. Businesses have had to adopt a 'work
Visual Approvals has long since conducted business within the digital economy, operating in a secure cloud environment. Therefore we are well-placed to continue to support and serve our clients throughout the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Our team is used to working in a mobile environment and they are very familiar with working from home. We
Last week, Visual Approvals staff members attended the 2020 VBA Building Surveyors Conference held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Conference Centre. The conference was the perfect opportunity to hear from leaders within the industry and keep abreast of forthcoming changes. There were a number of first class presentations throughout the day, but to hear the
The building approval process in Australia is complex and heavily regulated, which is why you need software that helps you solve the legal and operational challenges you face every day. Below, we outline the three main ways that our building certification and approval software helps you succeed in an increasingly challenging industry. 3 reasons why
After a National Tragedy; Making Sure Rebuilding Efforts Meet Standards and Regulations Natural disasters tear communities apart and upend the lives of individuals and families. No one can bear witness to the destruction of homes and the surrounding natural environment without a powerful sense of loss and tragedy. Despite the present pain, we must rebuild,
In an ideal world, every time inspectors and builders made an appointment, everyone would arrive without delays or cancellations. But life gets busy and circumstances change constantly. Last minute changes often mean wasted time and effort in getting to an inspection that should have been rescheduled. It doesn’t take many no-show appointments to turn an
