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Incident alert
Chemical reaction exposes worker to toxic gas
In March 2022, a worker was seriously injured after being exposed to a toxic gas following a chemical reaction in a pump shed. Initial enquiries indicate the man was using a drum pump to deliver sodium hypochlorite inadvertently into a tank containing sulphuric acid as part of a water treatment process. As a result of the two chemicals reacting, a toxic gas was generated. It escaped through an unsealed opening on the tank into the work area. Investigations are continuing.
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Incident alert
Worker struck by steel post at construction site
In March 2022, a worker suffered a chest laceration and internal injuries when he was struck by a steel post. Early enquiries indicate the worker was part of a team installing a retaining wall at a residential construction site. The steel post had been stood upright, using a sling attached to an excavator in close proximity to the worker. It then appears the steel post has slipped off the sling, striking the worker. Investigations are continuing.
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Incident alert
Worker injured after asphalt plant hits elevating work platform
In February 2022, a worker suffered serious leg injuries when the basket of a boom-type elevating work platform (EWP) he was using was struck and pulled along by an elevated asphalt bin system, part of an asphalt plant. Initial enquiries indicate the man was in the EWP basket doing maintenance work close to the asphalt bin system, when for reasons yet to be established, the bin and associated components began moving along its tracks without warning. As a result, part of the EWP’s basket was caught by the asphalt bin system and dragged along, injuring the worker. Investigations are continuing.
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Incident alert
Dangerous falling object incidents in construction
In December 2021, a worker suffered a badly broken arm and puncture wounds to his shoulder after being struck by part of a retractable awning system that fell. Initial enquiries indicate he was a member of a team installing the system, when it appears part of the retractable awning dislodged from the building and fell on him. In January 2022, a piece of aluminium fell from the 17th floor of a high-rise construction site, landing on the roof of a building across the road. It was part of the building’s window system. It appears, the piece of aluminium became jammed and a worker used a pinch bar to release it. As a result, the aluminium piece came out of the end of the window, striking a column and falling out of the building. In a third incident last month, a tile fell from the 50th floor of a high-rise construction site onto the 7th floor pool level. Early investigations indicate a worker had placed the tile against a unit’s balcony balustrade when for reasons yet to be established,
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Incident alert
Workers injured by stone slabs
In January 2022, two workers (including a young one) suffered serious lower limb and foot injures when several unsecured engineered stone slabs fell from a trolley they were using. A third worker received a laceration when he tried to lift the slabs off the others. The stone slabs weighed approximately 120 kilograms each. Early indications are the trolley appears to have failed. Investigations are continuing.
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Incident alert
Worker fatally crushed after car falls off jack
In December 2021, the sole director of a rent-a-car business was crushed to death when the vehicle he was working fell on him. Early investigations revealed the man was repairing the vehicle after it had broken down a few days earlier. It appears the man had removed the front passenger wheel when the car slipped off the bottle jack and crushed him.
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Incident alert
Apprentice killed by hydraulic hook lift system
A young apprentice was killed after being trapped under part of the hydraulic hook lift system on a heavy rigid truck at a mechanical workshop.
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Incident alert
Three serious forklift incidents – one fatal
In February 2022, a worker suffered serious leg injuries after being struck by a forklift. Early investigations suggest the man was walking next to the forklift to prevent a load of glass panels from swinging. In March 2022, a worker suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a forklift, which early investigations indicate was moving and carrying a load. In May 2022, a worker suffered serious injuries to his lower legs when he was struck by a counter-balanced forklift. Early investigations show the worker was walking behind the loading dock area of the warehouse when the forklift reversed out of a truck into the warehouse and struck him. Investigations are continuing.
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Incident alert
Man seriously injured when elevating work platform overturned
In January 2022, a man was operating a self-propelled scissor lift which overturned leaving him with serious head injuries. Early investigations found the worker was alone, replacing rivets on metal flashings in an indoor sports facility.
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Incident alert
Workers struck by moving vehicles
In January 2022, a man died after being hit by a truck a worksite. The worker was part of a crew laying out power lines on the side of the road. Early investigations indicate the man may have been talking on his mobile phone when hit by the reversing truck. In December 2021, a worker was seriously injured by a reversing road roller during asphalt laying operations at a road work construction site. Initial enquiries indicate the worker was testing the asphalt near the roller which struck him while compacting the road surface. In November 2021, a worker also lost his life after being hit by an unmanned truck which he may have been warming up.
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Incident alert
Worker fatally crushed after being hit by moving vehicle
In August 2021, a worker was fatally injured when he was crushed between his truck and a concrete column. Early investigations indicate he had positioned the truck in the loading dock to wash the back out and clean it. It appears a timber pallet was used as a wheel chock to prevent the truck rolling. The driver was seen to go behind the truck where it is reasonably believed he was repositioning the pallet, when the truck rolled back and trapped him.