This module introduces you to the legislation that affects the construction industry. The term legislation is used to describe Acts and regulations created by the parliament or other governmental agencies such as:
- The Building Act 2004
- The Building Regulations 1992
- The Building Code
Other Controls
This module will also explore some other controls that guide best practices in construction, such as:
- Codes of Practice
- Standards
- Good Practice Guidelines
- Fact Sheets
- Safety Data Sheets.
Impact of Legislation
Legislation and other controls cover many aspects of the construction process:
- Minimum standards for construction design to ensure building safety and durability.
- Health and safety of workers on the site.
- Environmental protection during design and construction.
- Processes for obtaining the correct consents and signoffs.
- Protecting employment rights for construction workers.
- Ensuring workers have the correct licensing and accreditation.
Legislation Throughout the Project
Legislation applies throughout the construction project timeline and impacts all stakeholders.
- The process for gaining building consent before the project begins is guided by the Building Act 2004.
- The Building Code defines performance standards that a building design must meet.
- The Building Act provides implied warranties on building work which protects the project owner.
- The hiring of permanent staff is governed by the Employment Relations Act 2000 and the hiring of contractors is governed by the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017.
- The Construction Contracts Act 2002 is used to regulate payments to contractors.
- Construction staff will use fact sheets and safety data sheets to keep themselves safe on a construction site.
- Gaining a Code of Compliance Certificate at the project conclusion is governed by the Building Act.
A construction manager will need to identify which legislation applies at different points in the construction project. The best way to minimise legal risks is for a construction manager to be aware of their legal obligations and act accordingly.
The following information will help you plan your study.
| Credits | 4 |
| Learning Hours | 70 |
| Learning Outcome | 2.1 Apply legislative frameworks to residential and commercial construction projects |
| Assessment | 02A1 Legislative Frameworks and Work Processes related to Construction |
You are free to plan your studies in the way that works best for you, but we know that guidance on how to do this is also helpful. We suggest the following way to navigate through the learning content over the next two weeks:
| Week 1 |
Topics:
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| Week 2 |
Topics:
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Tip
The forum for this topic contains a thread titled Topic questions. If you have any questions about this topic, consider posting your inquiry in the thread. Your tutor will review and respond to posts.
It is recommended that you check this thread regularly. One of your fellow students may have asked a question that is relevant to you. If you know the answer to another student’s question, feel free to contribute to the conversation.
It is time to get started with the first topic in this legislation module. You will begin by learning about building laws.
Forum
Heading: Activity
Forum Name: Forum
Thread Name: Topic questions
Instructions (LMS):
Instructions (forum): If you have any questions about the content of this topic, add them in a post below. Feel free to respond to your fellow students’ questions.
