Alerts

Workers hand crushed by mobile piling rig

In June 2018, a worker’s hand was crushed when a mobile piling rig he was operating in crane mode rolled over. The operator was part of a team replacing a wooden railway bridge. Initial inquiries indicate that the piling rig was carrying a load across the tracks when it rolled over on to its side, squashing the cab and crushing his hand. Investigations are continuing.

Risks of short legging when using mobile plant

The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the risks associated with the practice of short legging: mobile concrete placement booms, mobile cranes, truck mounted elevating work platforms. This alert also provides some control measures to manage the risks of short legging.

Lifter borer boom failure

The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of lifter borers and the need to follow the manufacturer's operating instructions.

Precast wall panel failure

The purpose of this health and safety alert is to inform workers, employers, builders and designers of the risk of falling concrete elements attached to the perimeter of buildings under construction.

Falling objects from personnel and material hoists

The purpose of this alert is to highlight the risk of falling objects when zip ties (cable ties) are used to attach weights to the outside of personnel and material hoist cars. The same principles apply wherever zip ties are being used to secure parts where there is a risk to people from falling objects.

Workers fall through second storey floor

In May 2018, two workers fell to the ground when the second storey floor of a residential building under construction collapsed after materials were placed on it by a crane. One worker sustained a broken ankle. Investigations are continuing.

Worker crushed by slewing crane

In May 2018, a dogger received serious crush injuries while working on a truck mounted crane. He was packing up the chains of the 60 tonne mobile crane when it slewed, trapping him between the counterweights and a toolbox mounted on the truck. Investigations are continuing.

Worker killed by pressurised gas hose

In May 2018, a worker received severe head injuries while removing a hose from a 100 tonne pressure vessel. Initial inquiries indicate the worker was bleeding the vessel when he was struck on the head by the hose, rendering him unconscious. He died of his injuries in hospital. Investigations are continuing.

Worker crushed by hoist

In May 2018, a worker was pinned and crushed by a personnel and materials hoist on a multi-storey building project on the Gold Coast.

Worker fell through formwork void

In March 2018, a worker sustained serious spinal injuries as a result of falling approximately three metres through a void in formwork at a multi-storey construction site. Initial inquiries indicate the void was covered with fibrous cement sheeting which broke when the worker stood on it.