IR & LEGAL UPDATE Workers’ Compensation ALL EMPLOYERS ARE Construction works insurance covers Workers’ Compensation, sometimes REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN physical loss or damage to the contract referred to as WorkCover, is a compulsory works including material, labour, tools insurance taken out by an employer to A REGISTER OF INJURIES & equipment whilst on the site and ensure that a worker’s medical expenses THAT IS READILY during instruction. are covered should they suffer an accident ACCESSIBLE TO ALL in the workplace. While different states and WORKERS. THE REGISTER Accident and sickness insurance is territories provide payment to employees similar to workers compensation insurance should they be unable to work, not all will OF INJURIES IS A but is mainly used by independent trade cover the employee’s full wage. CURRENT RECORD OF contractors and business professionals who A worker is considered any person ANY INJURIES SUFFERED may not covered. who has entered into, or works under, BY WORKERS, EVEN IF a contract of service or training Tool and trailer insurance is a commercial agreement with an employer. The THEY DO NOT RESULT IN accident and theft insurance to enable a contract may be express or implied, oral A CLAIM contractor to replace his or her tools if they or written. The worker may be entitled to are damaged, destroyed or stolen. compensation for weekly benefits while unfit for work, medical expenses, hours of becoming aware of the injury. Product liability protects the insured from rehabilitation expenses, permanent If an employer fails to give notice within damage to person or property caused by a impairment and, in some instances, this timeframe, they risk being liable for defective product that has been installed in damages at common law. additional costs. the new works. Some people are specifically excluded Professional indemnity (PI) is mainly used from the Act, and may not be entitled Essential insurances: to workers compensation. This might by designer and designer builders, certifiers include workers employed on an irregular protect your business and building inspectors where clients rely casual basis for a purpose other than the Public risk/public liability on their expertise and they fail to perform employer’s trade or business, outworkers, This is a common requirement in building or provide the professional service that was volunteers, family members of the employer contracts from the smallest contractor contracted for. who reside in the same home. to the largest builder and is related to All employers are required to maintain business activity. It covers the builder if a If you have any questions we encourage a register of injuries that is readily third party sues for personal injury, including you to contact HIA insurance services: accessible to all workers. The register of death, or damage to property, as a result of Project Application/ Builds: injuries is a current record of any injuries an occurrence in connection with hiais.ryde@aon.com suffered by workers, even if they do not the business. Completions Advice to: result in a claim. HIAIS.ryde.completions@aon.com Employers are required to notify their Contract works insurance/all builders’ workers compensation insurer of all injuries risk is also common for the principal sustained by their employees. They must contractor as protection from fire, flood, provide the initial notification within 48 wind, theft and acts of God. BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 1/2019P19