53. Special Rates

This Part 3 only applies to the following categories of Trades and Services Staff: Carpenters; Electricians; Fitters; Oiler/Greasers; Painters; Plant Attendants; Plumbers; Store Attendants (as defined under clause 3); and Trade Assistants

Those staff are entitled to the provisions in this Part 3, in addition to the conditions in Parts 1 and 2. Where provisions in this Part 3 are inconsistent with Parts 1and/or 2, the provisions in this Part will prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.

The following special rates shall be payable irrespective of the times at which work is performed and shall not be subject to any premium or penalty additions.  When more than one of the disabilities entitling a staff member to special rates exist on the same job, the University shall be bound to pay only one rate, namely the highest rate, for the disabilities so prevailing.

The JCC will periodically discuss the rates payable under this clause at least annually.  Any such discussions shall take into account similar special rates payable under relevant certified agreements and/or awards operative within the higher education industry.  The JCC will then provide advice to the University on suggested rates payable, for the University's consideration and decision.  Where the University agrees, the rates payable may be adjusted and those adjusted rates shall apply as if they were rates prescribed by this Agreement.

53.1 Asbestos work

Staff members required to use materials containing asbestos or to work in close proximity to staff members using such materials shall be provided with and shall use all necessary safeguards as required by the appropriate occupational health authority and where such safeguards include the mandatory wearing of protective equipment (i.e. combination overalls and breathing equipment or similar apparatus) such staff members shall be paid 44 cents per hour extra whilst so engaged.

53.2 Cold places

A staff member working for more than one hour in places where the temperature is reduced by artificial means below 0 degrees Celsius shall be paid 36 cents per hour or part thereof.

53.3 Confined space

A staff member required to work in a confined space shall be paid 43 cents per hour.  For the purposes of this clause, “confined space” means a compartment space, or place the dimensions of which necessitate a staff member working in a stooped or otherwise cramped position, or without proper ventilation, and includes such a space inside boilers, steam drums, mud drums, fire boxes or road vehicle boilers, furnaces, flues, combustion chambers, receivers, buoys, tanks, superheaters or economisers.

53.4 Dirty work

A staff member engaged in unusually dirty work shall be paid 35 cents per hour.

53.5 Height work

A staff member engaged in the construction, erection, repair and/or maintenance of steel frame buildings, bridges, gasometers, or other structures at a height in each case of 15 metres or more directly above the nearest horizontal plane shall be paid 54 cents per hour.

53.6 Hot places

A staff member working for more than one hour in the shade in places where the temperature is raised by artificial means to between 46 and 54 degrees Celsius shall be paid 35 cents per hour.  In places where the temperature exceeds 54 degrees Celsius, the staff member shall be paid 40 cents per hour or part thereof.

53.7 Insulation handling

A staff member handling insulwool, slagwool, aluminium foil insulation or other recognised insulating material of a like nature or working in the immediate vicinity so as to be affected by the use thereof shall be paid 40 cents per hour.

53.8 Welding work

A staff member shall be paid $12.92 per week for oxy-acetylene or electrical welding.

53.9 Wet work

A staff member working in any place where water is continually dripping on the staff member so that clothing and boots become wet, or where there is water underfoot, shall be paid 36 cents per hour whilst so engaged.