Workplace incident: worker seriously injured - falling block wall section

In January 2026, a worker sustained serious injuries when a block wall section fell over during its planned removal at a construction site.

Early investigations indicate a worker was standing adjacent to the block wall section that had been cut into a segment measuring approximately 3.3 metres long x 0.7 metres high.

Part of the removal process involved propping the cut wall section to enable the fitting of lifting chains for a tower crane to then lift it out.

While the worker was attaching the chains to the wall section it fell over, crushing the worker’s lower leg.

Investigations are continuing.

Safety issues

Existing masonry block walls are not ordinarily designed to be lifting elements. Masonry block walls are generally designed to resist loads associated with their intended function within a structure. Once a wall section is separated from the surrounding structure, its structural behaviour changes significantly.

The risk of severe or fatal injuries is high when structures such as masonry block walls or similar structures are not adequately supported, restrained or secured from falling.

Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) or the Principal Contractor (PC) must manage the risks associated with demolishing block wall sections or similar objects. This includes having the structure assessed by a competent person before commencing demolition work.

Effective control measures are often made up of a combination of controls including but not limited to the following.

• Mechanical demolition. Using mechanical demolition such as an excavator or other suitable powered mobile plant to remove a block wall or similar structure along with the appropriate attachments, where site access permits. Powered mobile plant used for demolition work must be fitted with a suitable combination of operator protective devices.
  
  Demolition should be planned to be systematic and sequential. Exclusion zones should be established in areas where debris will fall. Exclusion zones should be barricaded off with signs erected to prevent people from entering the area before demolition starts.
• Manual demolition. Manual demolition should only be considered if it is not reasonably practicable to use mechanical demolition. Manual demolition includes techniques where hand tools such as jack hammers, sledgehammers and picks are used. Manual demolition creates many of the hazards present in other major demolition activities including unexpected collapse, falls, falling objects, manual handling and exposure to noise and dust.
• In certain situations, it may be suitable to consider using a load rated, engineered rack or frame for removing low wall sections that is appropriate for the material weights applied, potential loads and intended travel path. Other risks may be introduced and would need to be controlled for example; crush related risks.  Any racks or frames should be designed by a suitably qualified engineer and need to resist both dead loads and live loads (e.g. impact loads).
• If plant is being used to lift or suspend loads as part of the demolition process, the person with management or control of the plant must ensure, the plant used is specifically designed to lift or suspend the load and is carried out:
  • with lifting attachments suitable for the load being lifted or suspended
  • within the safe working limits of the plant
  • so that the risk of the load falling or breaking is suitably controlled
• A safe system of work should be implemented to manage the risks associated with removing block wall sections and can include but is not limited to the following.
  • Develop safe work procedures for tasks associated with removing block wall sections.
  • Providing workers, contractors and others with clear instructions, training and supervision on safe work procedures and processes.
  • Ensure worker training, experience and competency aligns with the requirements and complexity of the task (workers must be trained by a competent person and have the appropriate skills to carry out a particular task safely).
  • Ensure consultation occurs with all relevant parties before work starts. Sometimes a PCBU may share responsibility for a health and safety matter with other PCBU’s who are involved in the same activities or who share the same workplace. In these situations, the PCBUs must exchange information to find out who is doing what and work together in a cooperative and coordinated way so that all risks are eliminated or minimised as far as reasonably practicable.
• Depending on the task, any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable personal protective equipment. For example; hard hats; gloves; protective footwear; eye protection; high visibility clothing.

The control measures put in place should be reviewed regularly to make sure they work as planned.

More Information

• Demolition work Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 0.66 MB)
• How to manage work health and safety risks Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 0.6 MB)
• Managing risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 2.77 MB)
• Tower crane Code of Practice 2017 (PDF, 1.56 MB)
• Mobile crane Code of Practice 2024 (PDF, 2.29 MB)

If this information has caused distress there are services to help:

• Lifeline – 24/7 crisis support service, including phone, texting and chat services.
• Beyond Blue – information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia.
• Black Dog Institute – research and resources on mental health in the workplace.
• SANE – helpline service, as well as resources on mental health.

Have you been affected by a workplace fatality, illness or serious injury?

For advice and support, visit our Facebook page or email ohs.coronialliaison@oir.qld.gov.au.