Alerts

Scaffold collapses onto neighbouring home

In November 2018, a segment of scaffold approximately 17 metres long and 8 metres high on a housing construction site collapsed onto a neighbouring residential house. The house was occupied at the time of the incident. Early investigations suggest the scaffold may have been free standing at the time and had not been tied back to the building or other structure. No one was injured as a result of the collapse. Investigations are continuing.

Tower crane load dropped after hoist rope failure

In October 2018, a hoist rope on a tower crane at a construction site broke while lowering a load which then fell to the ground. Although no-one was injured, this was a dangerous incident that could have had very serious consequences. Investigations are continuing.

Workers injured when concrete pipe toppled over

In October 2018, two workers in an excavation were injured when a 1350mm diameter concrete stormwater pipe toppled over. They were installing a short 500mm length of the large diameter pipe by abutting the pipe up to the end of a recently laid pipe and using timber and sandbags as chocks to support the pipe in position. It appears one of the workers may have moved a sandbag and the pipe toppled over. One worker was trapped beneath the pipe for several minutes and his leg was broken. Investigations are continuing.

Worker injured in wall collapse

In September 2018, a worker received serious head, back and chest injuries while attempting to jump off a trestle to avoid the collapse of a 2.8 metre high block wall. He and another worker who was not injured were constructing the block wall.

Immediate action required to prevent exposure to silica for engineered stone benchtop workers

This alert is to highlight the significant health risks caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for workers in engineered stone benchtop manufacturing, finishing and installation industries.

Support of mobile plant on outriggers

The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the potential risks associated with inadequate support under outrigger feet on mobile plant – particularly on poor ground, including fill.

Stair module failures on scaffolding

A number of incidents have occurred in Queensland where modular scaffolding stair units have dropped or stair treads have failed.

Concrete wall panels

The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the potential risks associated with the installation of concrete wall panels and to focus on systems to help prevent panels falling over. This alert applies to both pre-cast and tilt-up wall panel erection.