Court finds workplace death could have been easily prevented
The NSW Industrial Court has found that a construction worker’s death would have been prevented had proper safety protocols and training been utilised. The 34-year-old, in his first month of work at the particular company, was struck by a steel concrete mould in 2008. The company he worked for and its director were fined $137,500 in a 23-page judgement handed down in late July 2011. It was found that the company failed to provide a safe work method statement for subcontractors completing the particular task the worker was. The necessary safety measures to prevent the shutters around the concrete from becoming unstable were not used. There also should have been an exclusion zone in place so that workers were not in the vicinity if the steel concrete moulds fell.
It was this combination of safety hazards that lead to the concrete mould suddenly falling, striking the worker on the head, neck and shoulder. He was rushed to hospital with fractures to his face, skull, spine and ribs, swelling to his brain and significant spinal cord damage. The severity of his injuries resulted in his death a few days later. The company was fined specifically for breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000. The general manager of WorkCover NSW’s health and safety division said the potential for injury at the time was foreseeable and preventable if adequate safety procedures were implemented. “Working in the construction industry is dangerous. Every precaution must be taken to protect workers”.
Why is construction safety important?
Every year many construction site workers are killed or injured as a result of their work; others suffer ill health, such as musculoskeletal disorders, dermatitis or asbestosis. The hazards are not, however, restricted to those working on sites. Children and other members of the public are also killed or injured because construction activities have not been adequately controlled.
Major safety and health risks in construction work
Construction is one of the most dangerous work sectors because there are numerous sources of risk involved. Some of the prominent safety hazards include falls from heights, being struck by falling objects, injury caused by heavy machinery and electrocution. There are also many health hazards such as noise, solvents, asbestos and manual handling activities.
How can construction accidents be prevented?
Quality training and education is vital to ensuring workers are familiar with the risks of construction work and how to prevent avoidable accidents. Appropriate work methods, careful behaviour and attentiveness from workers are also important.
Construction safety training videos
Construction: Fundamentals For Safety
Construction: Fundamentals For Safety – E-Learning
Construction: Managing Hazards and Risks
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