Scaffolding collapse at Mascot being investigated

WorkCover NSW has confirmed it will be thoroughly investigating the collapse of scaffolding at a Mascot construction site.

WorkCover General Manager John Watson said WorkCover inspectors were sent to the O’Riordan Street site following reports of a scaffold collapse mid-afternoon on 25 February.

“The scaffolding had collapsed onto O’Riordan Street and WorkCover worked with police and other government agencies to carry out initial inquires and remove the scaffolding from the road as quickly as possible so traffic could return to normal,” Watson said.

“From those initial inquiries it appears that the scaffolding was in the process of being dismantled when [the] collapse has occurred, but we will know more once WorkCover’s investigation is completed.

“WorkCover takes workplace safety seriously. This site is about 12 months old and WorkCover has visited approximately five times in the past, which is not unusual for a construction site of this size and location,” he said.

There were no outstanding safety issues at the time of this incident.

Watson said all businesses and workers must take extreme care when working at heights, such as from scaffolding and roofs, or risk death, serious injury and/or court prosecution.

For more information on working with heights, including the free publication Safe working at heights, and Code of Practice: Safe Work on Roofs Parts 1 and 2, visit www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.