Incident alerts

Alerts to confirm that we are investigating a serious incident, and to provide guidance for workplaces on preventing a similar incident happening.

2018

Fall from edge protection system

In March 2018, a 19 year old worker sustained fracture injuries to both kneecaps, partially severed fingers on one hand and a severe laceration to his calf when he fell approximately three metres from a roof.
Date issued: 16 April 2018 | Read more

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.
Date issued: 12 April 2018 | Read more

Worker impaled by starter bar at construction site

In February 2018, a worker was impaled by a starter bar after falling into a 1.8m deep excavation at a construction site. Early investigations indicate he was walking on a path close to the excavation when the ground slipped. This caused him to fall onto an uncapped starter bar which was protruding from a footing for a retaining wall at the bottom of the excavation. His injuries were not life threatening or permanent and investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 21 March 2018 | Read more

Worker killed by explosion while welding

The incident happened whilst a worker was making a tractor counterweight by welding empty fuel drums to a steel frame. When the worker placed the welder to the top of a drum, there was an explosion, engulfing him. The fuel or ignition source hasn’t been confirmed. The man sustained full thickness burns to more than 95 per cent of his body. He was transported to Cairns Hospital where he passed away from his injuries. Investigations into the incident are continuing.
Date issued: 21 March 2018 | Read more

Excavated wall collapse

In February 2018, a worker’s foot and ankle were injured when part of a three metre high near vertical excavation face collapsed. The injured worker was part of a group building a boulder retaining wall. Four workers were gathered at the toe of the excavation when they heard a cracking noise and the excavation face collapsed. Three of them managed to jump out of the way but the fourth was buried up to his knees. Investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 21 March 2018 | Read more

Worker killed in skylight fall

In February 2018, a worker was killed after falling five metres onto a concrete floor. Early investigations indicate the worker was attending to a radio tower on the roof of a storage shed when a skylight has collapsed and he fell through to the floor below. Investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 13 March 2018 | Read more

Primary school student hit by golf buggy

In February 2018, a six year old primary school student was seriously injured by a golf buggy being driven on the school grounds. Early investigations indicate the student came out of the toilet block and ran into the path of the golf buggy. The student sustained leg and skull fractures and bleeding on the brain. Investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 12 March 2018 | Read more

Workers injured by glass sheets

In February 2018, three workers received severe lacerations when one of several large glass sheets in a racking system fell to the ground and shattered. It appears that one of two workers trying to restrain the glass sheets by hand was unable to support the weight of one of them. Another worker came to his assistance but was unable to prevent the sheet from falling. Investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 07 March 2018 | Read more

Generator fuel explosion in back of truck

In February 2018, two workers received severe burns to their legs, upper body and face when fuel ignited in the back of a truck.
Date issued: 22 February 2018 | Read more

Young worker injured by nail gun

An apprentice was injured by a nail, fired from a nail gun by another worker, which went through the piece of timber he was holding and into his chest. The worker underwent minor surgery to remove a small piece of bone. Investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 20 February 2018 | Read more

Vehicle stabilisers and outriggers

In February 2018, a truck fitted with a vehicle loading crane was driven along a road with its stabiliser extended. The stabiliser struck a parked vehicle and a worker standing behind this vehicle was crushed and killed. It is not yet known why the stabiliser was unsecured and investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 20 February 2018 | Read more

Worker burned while lighting furnace

In January 2018, a worker received second degree burns while trying to pour fuel into the vent pipe of a furnace used for drying woodchips. The worker was attempting to light the furnace and spilled the fuel which then ignited resulting in burns to his hands, arms and legs. Investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 16 February 2018 | Read more

Mobile crane rollover onto four lane road

In January 2018, a 25 tonne articulated crane (a ‘pick and carry’ type mobile crane) overbalanced and fell across four lanes of a major arterial road while it was lifting a sign. Three lanes of traffic were closed at the time and there was no traffic in the open lane. The crane was removing a signage structure 15m in height, 3.9m wide and weighing approximately 4.5 tonnes. While manoeuvring, it appears the load caught on a structure then swung toward the road. Nobody was injured and investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 13 February 2018 | Read more

Worker burned in pump room explosion

On 11 January 2018 a worker was seriously injured in an explosion at a waste treatment plant at the Townsville golf club. Early investigations indicate this may have involved an explosive gas or substance in the pump room, but the ignition source has not been confirmed. The worker received extensive burns requiring hospital treatment. Investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 01 February 2018 | Read more

Two workers die inside agriculture tanker

In January 2018, two men were found dead in the bottom of a fibreglass tank on a trailer. The tanker/trailer is a purpose built tri-axle trailer built for the transport of dunder and molasses.
Date issued: 31 January 2018 | Read more

Automotive mechanic run over by vehicle

On 9 January 2018, a worker was run over by a vehicle while servicing it on sloping ground. Early investigations indicate the worker was underneath the vehicle while the driver was sitting in the cab with the engine running. It appears the vehicle has then moved forward unexpectedly and run over the mechanic. The injured man was then transported to Rockhampton Base Hospital for treatment.
Date issued: 17 January 2018 | Read more

2017

Worker fatally crushed by elevating work platform

In December 2017, a 22 year old worker was killed while operating a boom elevating work platform (EWP) on a construction site. The EWP basket was approximately 8-10 metres in the air being lowered when it caught on a steel support beam, causing two wheels of the EWP to lift off the ground.
Date issued: 20 December 2017 | Read more

Worker fatally crushed while unloading forklift from a trailer

In November 2017, a worker was killed when a forklift fell from the loading ramps of a flatbed trailer while it was being unloaded, crushing him. At this stage, it is not clear what caused the forklift to fall off the ramps and investigations are continuing.
Date issued: 13 December 2017 | Read more

Agriculture mobile plant roll-over fatalities

In December 2017, a worker on a Tamborine Mountain avocado farm was killed when a single seat ride on mower being driven by another worker rolled over on a steep slope and crushed her. A few weeks before, a worker was killed when the tractor he was driving went over the edge of a steep embankment on a banana farm in North Queensland.
Date issued: 13 December 2017 | Read more

Worker burnt in fuel vapour explosion

A young worker was draining the fuel system of a boat when residual fuel that had collected in the bilge of the boat caught fire. He sustained significant burns to his arm, face, nose and throat requiring hospital treatment.
Date issued: 05 December 2017 | Read more

Worker’s skull fractured by tree branch

In October 2017, a tree lopper was hit by a branch cut by another worker in an elevating work platform approximately 8-10 metres above him. The worker was wearing a helmet and was struck in the head, fracturing his skull. He is being monitored in an intensive care unit.
Date issued: 14 November 2017 | Read more

Worker killed on cane rail siding

In October 2017, a driver’s assistant was struck and killed by rolling stock on a cane rail siding. She left the locomotive to activate points during a shunting sequence, allowing the train to leave the main track and enter the middle loop. She then gave instruction for the train to push empty cane bins into the middle loop.
Date issued: 14 November 2017 | Read more

Two workers seriously burned after contact with high-voltage powerlines

In October 2017 two workers on a rural property in the Western Downs region of Queensland received serious burns from an electric shock. The workers were relocating a grain auger when it came into contact with a 12.7kV single wire earth return (SWER) overhead powerline.
Date issued: 10 November 2017 | Read more

Serious spine injury for farm worker in 4WD rollover

A worker sustained a serious spinal injury in October 2017 while travelling as a passenger in a troop carrier on a fruit and vegetable farm. The worker was in the back of the four wheel drive which rolled over after the driver lost control.
Date issued: 10 November 2017 | Read more

Worker killed by exploding wheel and tyre

A worker was killed in October 2017 after being struck in the face by an exploding wheel and tyre. Initial inquiries indicate that the worker attempted to weld up a small leak in the truck wheel, whilst the tyre was still pressurised.
Date issued: 26 October 2017 | Read more

Worker killed after being pinned by mobile plant

In October 2017, a worker was killed after he was pinned between a cane haul out vehicle (a vehicle used to collect and remove sugar cane as it is harvested) and a fuel tanker trailer.
Date issued: 13 October 2017 | Read more

Child injured after jumping castle became airborne

In September 2017 a child sustained serious injuries when a jumping castle became airborne. The child was playing on the inflatable amusement device when a sudden strong gust of wind lifted the front of it up whilst secured at the back to a fence. The child fell from the device to the ground.
Date issued: 13 October 2017 | Read more

Worker struck in head by portable hydraulic jack

In September 2017, a worker sustained serious head injuries while operating a portable hydraulically powered jack. He was using the jack to expand a semi-circular shaped metal bracket when it dislodged and struck him in the face. He was found unconscious sometime after the incident occurred.
Date issued: 29 September 2017 | Read more

Billboard workers overhead powerlines electric shock

On 7 August 2017, two workers in an uninsulated elevating work platform contacted an 11 kV powerline with the six metre aluminium sail track they were reinstalling on a billboard. Both workers suffered a severe electrical shock and burns from contacting the high voltage lines.
Date issued: 04 September 2017 | Read more

Serious falls from height at the Gold Coast

There have been several recent falls from height at the Gold Coast which are being investigated by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Date issued: 22 August 2017 | Read more

Last updated: 04 September 2017

Connect

North Queensland Injury Prevention and Return to Work Conference

The conference is back in 2018 with a new line-up of expert speakers addressing the needs of those on the frontline of safety, rehabilitation and return to work. Register now!

Improve your business with our eTools

eTools are easy to use and can be accessed on any device or browser.

Skip links and keyboard navigation

Queensland Government site header

Worksafe

Site navigation

Online services

Injury prevention & safety

Incident alerts

2018

2017

Connect

North Queensland Injury Prevention and Return to Work Conference

Improve your business with our eTools

Find an industry

Find a safety topic

Useful links

Who's who

Site footer

Skip links and keyboard navigation

Queensland Government site header

Worksafe

Online services

You are here:

Incident alerts

2018

2017

Connect

North Queensland Injury Prevention and Return to Work Conference

Improve your business with our eTools

Site footer