Workplace Death Results in Fine for Builder

A Bankstown building contractor has appeared in the Sydney District Court for failing to protect the health and safety of its workers following the death of a 19 year old apprentice.

The young worker fell while building a walkway platform and was discovered lying on the concrete floor below, he had been working unsupervised. It was the first time the second year apprentice had undertaken the task and despite his inexperience, he was not adequately supervised.

The man was taken to hospital where he was operated on and died a week later.

The building contractor was fined $405,000 over the tragic incident.

This tragedy reminds us that apprentice workers are inexperienced and eager to please, so it’s unlikely they will speak up about being left unsupervised. It’s the responsibility of the employer to ensure young workers are properly trained and supervised. Read the full story: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/03/bankstown-builder-fined-workplace-death/#.WsJP8pclE1k

Construction Workers Force Their Way Onto WorkSite to Reclaim Their Tools

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Construction workers forced their way onto a construction site to reclaim their tools after a decision by a construction firm to lock the gates of all its projects.

The company decided to shut down its sites on Sunday night. The decision left hundreds of subcontractors in limbo and wondering whether  they would be paid for work done.

The company asked the workers to email a list of their tools and they would make arrangements for them to go and collect however workers became frustrated when they didn’t hear back from the company. They then decided to storm the site, pushing down fences and past security guards who tried to stop them from taking their tools. Read more at https://www.perthnow.com.au/business/construction/cooper-and-oxley-tradies-storm-perth-construction-site-to-reclaim-tools-ng-b88736130z

Man Hospitalised After Trench Collapse

A man in his twenties was hospitalised after a trench wall collapsed on him at the NorthConnex construction in West Pennant Hills. Emergency crews were called to the site where they discovered an injured male worker.

The man had been trapped in the collapsed trench but workers managed to extricate the man before emergency crews arrived.

The man suffered back pain and was taken to Westmead Hospital for treatment.

The collapse occurred approximately 2 kilometres into the NorthConnex tunnel.

SafeWork NSW inspectors visited the site where an investigation was launched. The cause of the collapse has not yet been discovered.

Read more at https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/man-taken-to-hospital-after-trench-collapse-at-northconnex-construction-20180227-p4z1w4.html

Company and Directors Fined After Worker Falls on Site

A fall at a residential construction site in Darwin and the resulting serious injuries inflicted upon a worker has resulted in 2 companies and their directors being charged by NT WorkSafe.

The incident happened in August 2016 when a 19 year old worker fell almost 3 metres through a void, breaking his left femur.

WorkSafe said there were a number of work from height issues including a lack of fall or edge protection, among other safety issues.

The site was also allegedly unsupervised at the time and the workers on site didn’t speak English fully which resulted in delays getting medical assistance for the injured worker.

This incident once again highlights the importance of work from height safety. Read more at http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/02/charges-laid-young-workers-fall-injuries-darwin/#.Wpg7KOclE1l

Construction Workers Escape Injury As Concrete Slab Falls

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WorkSafe is investigating an incident in Perth where a concrete slab fell at a construction site near Northbridge.

A group of construction workers could have been fatally injured when the 2 tonne slab snapped off and fell.

The site had to be shut for hours, with workers commenting on how lucky it was no one was injured or killed.

The union have spoken with the builders and WorkSafe are investigating, while workers on site are asking for answers.

See more at : https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/concrete-slab-comes-down-at-perth-construction-site-ng-b88738034z

Ladder Fall Lands NSW Man in Hospital

The risk associated with the use of ladders is often underestimated and most people become complacent about ladder safety which is why we see so many ladder related injuries especially at home and on the job site.

Another ladder incident has taken place in south-eastern New South Wales and resulted in pelvic injuries for one worker who had to be airlifted to hospital.

The accident occurred just south of Nowra recently when the man fell 2 metres from the ladder and had to be flown to St George Hospital for treatment.

In the construction industry, falls from heights are responsible for 96 fatalities over the last decade to 2016. It is the main cause of fatalities in the construction and construction services industries.

Source: http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/01/ladder-fall-lands-nsw-man-hospital/#.WnikD-clHQU

Man Pinned by Vehicle On Construction Site in WA

A man was killed at a construction site on the Sunshine Coast recently when he was pinned under a vehicle.

According to police, a car parked on the side of the road was struck by another vehicle causing it to roll over and trap the concrete contractor beneath.

While paramedics attempted to revive the man, they were unsuccessful and he was declared dead on the scene.

Police did not give more information but the Forensic Crash Unit and Workplace Health and Safety investigators were on the scene.

 

Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/queensland/man-dies-after-being-pinned-underneath-vehicle-in-sunshine-coast-workplace-accident-20180205-p4yzfj.html

Be Careful When Working Confined Spaces

Two workers died inside a tank on a trailer last month, prompting an investigation by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

Inspectors believe that the trailer last transported a mix of sugar cane by-product and urea.

The 2 workers were cleaning inside the tanks after unloading it earlier.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland reminded all workplaces about the risks of working in confined spaces and obligations under state safety laws for both employers and employees.

Get more information at worksafe.qld.gov.au

Find out more at http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/02/workplaces-reminded-dangers-working-confined-spaces-following-death-2-workers/#.WoiMZuclE1l

Workplace Fatality Involving Cherry Picker

Tragedy has struck a construction site on the Gold Coast, claiming the life a young worker.

The young man was recently killed while at work on a construction site at Yatala on the Gold Coast, a cherry picker was involved.

According to emergency services, the 22 year old worker died on the scene while operating the cherrypicker.

It is believed a steel industrial shed was being constructed on the site where the man was employed as a subcontractor.

The incident is being investigated by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

Read more at https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/young-worker-dies-after-cherry-picker-accident-at-gold-coast-construction-site-20171205-p4yxeh.html

2017 Almost As Many Workers Killed as 2016

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Workplace health and safety didn’t improve much in 2017 from the previous year, if Safe Work Australia fatality figures are anything to go by.

In 2017 there were 173 Australian workers killed on the job (as at 22 December), just 9 less than the previous year. In 2016, there were 182 Australian workers killed on the job, with the highest number of fatalities coming from the transport industry.

The Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry recorded the second highest number of fatalities with 46, 2 more than in 2016 when 44 workers were killed.

The construction industry recorded 30 fatalities.

Read more http://content.safetyculture.com.au/news/index.php/12/workplace-death-toll-approaches-2016-total/#.Wk7tCzclE1k