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Workplace health and safety alert
Formwork collapse
This safety alert discusses a formwork collapse and risk control measures that should be applied to help prevent formwork collapse.
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Incident alert
Worker killed by falling pool shell
In March 2023, a worker was fatally injured when he was struck by a swimming pool shell which fell while being lifted by a mobile crane. Early investigations indicate the pool shell was being moved by the crane, but have not yet determined what caused it to fall and strike the worker.
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Incident alert
Two swimming pool drownings and one near drowning
In March 2023, a 24-year-old worker was found unconscious in a pool. He was air-lifted to hospital in a critical condition but later died. Early investigations found he was not working at the time but taking part in celebrations when he climbed over the fence into the locked pool area. In January 2023, a hotel guest was found unresponsive in the hotel swimming pool by another guest. First aid was provided and she was transported to hospital but later died. In November 2022, a child participating in a regular school swimming lesson was found unconscious in the shallow end of the pool. The child was immediately retrieved and thankfully revived after CPR was performed.
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Incident alert
Worker injured by fallen forklift carriage and tines
In February 2023, a worker was seriously injured when he was trapped by a fallen forklift carriage and tines. Early investigations found he was carrying out maintenance work on the front of a five tonne forklift. It appears the carriage and tines were raised above the worker unsupported, when for reasons yet to be confirmed they fell, striking and trapping him.
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Incident alert
Worker fatally injured by chain
In February 2023, a forklift operator died after he was struck by a chain at a building material supply workplace. Early investigations indicate a forklift was unloading steel weld mesh from a shipping container using a connection point located in the forklift’s counterbalance to drag the material out of the container. It appears part of the towing equipment failed and the chain recoiled towards the forklift, striking the operator.
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Incident alert
Worker fatally injured when struck by log
In November 2022 a worker was seriously injured when he was struck by an excavator bucket at a construction site. Initial enquiries indicate the excavator was operating near the worker when, for reasons yet to be established, its bucket unexpectedly detached from a quick-hitch on the dipper arm, striking him.
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Incident alert
Worker seriously injured by slicing machine
In December 2022, a worker suffered serious lacerations and broken bones to all four fingers on one hand from a slicing machine blade. Early investigations revealed the machine was used to slice dry meat products. It appears the worker was cleaning waste material from an area next to the blade with a guard raised. Investigations are continuing.
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Workplace health and safety alert
Excavation face and tilt-up panel collapse
This safety alert highlights the risk of collapse of excavation faces and the associated risk of collapse of surrounding structures. The principles in this alert can also be applied to any natural earth or rock face where there is a risk of collapse and workers may be at risk (i.e. a structure being constructed next to a natural face that may be unstable).
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Incident alert
Excavator bucket strikes construction worker
In November 2022 a worker was seriously injured when he was struck by an excavator bucket at a construction site. Initial enquiries indicate the excavator was operating near the worker when, for reasons yet to be established, its bucket unexpectedly detached from a quick-hitch on the dipper arm, striking him.
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Incident alert
Electricity meter contractor fatally attacked by dogs
In December 2022, a contractor was fatally injured when he was attacked by a number of dogs. Preliminary investigations found he was attending a residential address to check an electricity meter. It appears that the dogs attacked after he opened the first gate and entered the property.
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Incident alert
Worker killed in farm ute rollover
In December 2022, a farm worker was fatally injured while travelling as a passenger in a farm ute. Early investigations indicate the worker was sitting in the passenger seat when for reasons yet to be established, the driver lost control and the vehicle rolled over.
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Incident alert
Worker sustained fatal injuries from tractor rollover
In November 2022, a worker sustained fatal crush injuries when he was ejected from a tractor and trapped underneath as it rolled over. Early investigations indicate that the worker was not wearing a seat belt when driving the tractor along a road while hauling an empty sugar cane bin. For reasons yet to be established, the tractor has overturned and rolled onto its roof. Investigations are continuing.