AN120192 – Electricians &c. (State) Award
10. LIVING AWAY ON DISTANT WORK
10.1 Board and Lodging — Living Away Allowance — On distant work the employer shall, subject to the provisions of 10.4 of this clause provide reasonable board and lodging or pay a living away allowance per week as set out in Item 5 of Table 4 of Part B of this award, but such allowance shall not be wages. In the case of broken parts of a week occurring at the beginning or end of a period of distant work the allowance shall be all living expenses, actually and reasonably incurred but not exceeding the said amount.
10.2 Standard of Board and Lodging — Reasonable board and lodging for the purpose of this Clause shall mean lodging in a well-kept establishment with adequate furnishing, good bedding, good floor coverings, good lighting and heating in either a single room or a twin room if a single room is not available, with hot and cold running water.
10.3 Regular Return Home
10.3.1 Except as hereinafter provided an employee on distant work shall, where practicable, be allowed to return home for the weekend at least once a month. Where the employee so returns home, all reasonable travelling expenses incurred shall be reimbursed by the employer provided that the employee presented himself/herself for work at the site at the normal starting time on the next working day.
10.3.2 The travelling expenses prescribed by this subclause shall not be payable to an employee receiving the living away allowance prescribed by 10.1, of this Clause.
10.4 Camps
10.4.1 Scope — Where an employer is engaged in projects:
10.4.1.1 Which are located in areas where reasonable board and lodging as defined in subclause 10.2 of this clause is not available; or
10.4.1.2 Where the size of the work force is in excess of the available accommodation; or
10.4.1.3 Where there are continuous concrete pour requirements; or
10.4.1.4 Where the working of shifts necessitates camp accommodation;
His/her employees shall be provided with camp facilities constructed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of 10.4.2 of this subclause.
10.4.2 Camp Facilities
10.4.2.1 Such an employer shall provide accommodation in single rooms, or twin rooms where single rooms are not available, fitted with suitable sleeping accommodation including mattress, pillow and blankets. Each room shall be of not less than 14 cubic metres per person, and shall have a timber floor with floor covering provided. Each room shall be fitted with a door and movable window of reasonable dimensions and shall be furnished with a table or suitable substitute therefor, a seat or seats and wardrobe for each person. The windows shall be fitted with gauze screens. Each room shall be ceiled and lined. Good artificial lighting shall be provided in each room. Where reasonably required, provision shall be made for the heating of rooms. Provision shall be made in the camp for suitable washing facilities including hot and cold showers. Suitable provision shall be made for washing of clothes. Toilets shall be adequate and sewered where possible, situated within reasonable distance from the living quarters, access to which shall be by properly lighted paths. Provisions shall be made for the effluent from the kitchen, laundry and showers to be carried away in closed pipes and dispersed in such a way as to avoid any risk to health.
10.4.2.2 In such a camp messing shall be made available by the employer with provision for a choice of meals.
10.4.2.3 An employee who is accommodated as prescribed by subparagraph 10.4.2.1 of this paragraph shall not be eligible for the payment of the allowance prescribed by subclause 10.1 of this clause.
10.4.3 Camping Allowance
10.4.3.1 Employees who are required to camp in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 10.4.1 of this clause, shall be paid a camping allowance as set out in Item 6 of Table 4 of Part B per day for each day that the employee finds it necessary to remain in camp:
10.4.3.2 Provided that an employee shall not be entitled to the allowance as prescribed in subparagraph 10.4.3.1 for any working day on which he/she is absent from duty except in cases of sickness or for any reason beyond his/her own control.
10.4.3.3 Provided further that, if an employer elects to provide full board and suitable camp lodging, the allowance prescribed herein shall not be payable.
10.5 Accommodation Disputes — Any dispute concerning the standard of accommodation or camp facilities prescribed by this Clause shall be notified to the employer within one month.
10.6 Distant Work Defined — For the purpose of this award, distant work is that in respect of which the distance or the travelling facilities to and from such place of work make it reasonably necessary that the employee should live and sleep at some place other than his/her usual place of residence at the time of commencing such work.
