Alerts | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au

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Incident alert

Safety at swimming pools

In December, a young girl was pulled from a local swimming pool unresponsive. Thankfully though, she quickly recovered. The girl was at the pool for school-based activities.

20 December 2021
Incident alert

Student burned in science experiment

In March 2019, a student sustained serious burns and a staff member minor burns during a school science experiment when methylated spirits was applied to an open flame. A second student’s uniform caught fire, but it was extinguished without causing injury. It appears the experiment being undertaken was a soda snake experiment, in which carbon dioxide produced by hot baking soda pushes carbonate out from burning sugar.

31 July 2019
Incident alert

School student injured by storage box lid

In March 2019, a young school student was injured when their head became trapped between two adjacent lids on a storage box in a playground. Each of the box’s heavy timber lids opened and closed independently and were supported by gas struts. The student put their head between a fully-opened lid and a partially-opened lid that was opening, trapping their head.

30 May 2019
Incident alert

Worker fatally crushed by skid steer loader

In February 2019, a worker was killed while repairing a skid steer loader. Early investigations indicate the safety prop was not engaged to ensure the bucket arms could not be lowered. The worker inadvertently activated the controls and was crushed by the arms. It appears the mechanisms which enable the hand controls to be isolated were inoperative due to general wear and tear on the machine. Investigations are continuing.

29 March 2019
Workplace health and safety alert

Vehicle loading cranes

VLCs can be dangerous when they are not operated in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions. The purpose of this safety alert is to alert operators of vehicle loading cranes (VLCs) of the need to follow the manufacturer¿s operating instructions and to provide safety guidance for owners and employers.

28 November 2018
Incident alert

Worker fatally crushed when forklift tipped over

In October 2018, a worker was killed when the forklift he was operating tipped over and pinned him. The experienced operator was moving a load into an industrial shed. The forklift’s mast collided with an overhead steel beam, causing the forklift to tip over onto its side pinning the operator. It appears the operator may not have been wearing a seat belt. Investigations are continuing.

14 November 2018
Incident alert

Worker killed in fall from air-conditioning duct

In August 2018, a worker was killed after falling twelve metres onto a concrete floor. Early investigations indicate he was undertaking scheduled maintenance of air-conditioning ducts and was in the fresh air intake pre-conditioned outside air (PCOA) unit. A co-worker returned to the area and found a void where a floor grate had been. He looked through the void and saw his colleague on the concrete floor below. This particular PCOA is the only vent open to external, often hot and humid air, and as such is a high corrosion area. Investigations are continuing.

6 September 2018
Workplace health and safety alert

Ladder platform brackets

The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight the risks associated with attaching ladder platform brackets onto ladders.

3 August 2018
Workplace health and safety alert

Counterweights on mobile plant

The purpose of this safety alert is to: inform workers about the hazard of falling counterweights when fitting or removing them on mobile plant, and provide guidance on design, fitting, work system and training issues to reduce the risk of anyone being injured or killed by falling counterweights on mobile plant during their fitting or removal.

3 August 2018
Workplace health and safety alert

Safe filling of portable aluminium alloy cylinders

The purpose of this alert is to inform all businesses and people who fill aluminium alloy cylinders of the risks of death and injury from cylinder explosion.

31 July 2018
Workplace health and safety alert

Potential for explosion of aluminium alloy oil/water separators fitted to high pressure air compressors

Workplace health and safety alerts for owners and users of Bauer high pressure air compressors

31 July 2018
Incident alert

Workers foot amputated in screw conveyor

In July 2018, a worker was cleaning a decanter when he stepped back through an open grate into an operating screw conveyor, which amputated his foot just above his ankle.

24 July 2018