WorkCover Barangaroo investigation commences

WorkCover NSW has commenced its investigation following the fire at the Barangaroo construction site in the Sydney CBD after the extinguishing of the blaze on 13 March by Fire and Rescue NSW.

A team of four inspectors was dispatched to the site yesterday to oversee the emergency response.

A prohibition order was served on the principal contractor to ensure once the fire was extinguished the site was not disturbed except to make the area safe. The issuing of a prohibition order is normal procedure and ensures any evidence regarding the cause of the fire is not disturbed.

WorkCover is now working closely with the other emergency services and the principal contractor to ensure any work carried out in relation to this incident is carried out safely.

Issues that will be covered during this investigation include:

• what work activities, if any, may have led to the ignition of the fire,
• why the controls to ensure safe work activities may have failed on this occasion,
• whether the crane will be safe to operate and what steps are being taken to certify the crane for safe operation,
• if the evacuation of the site occurred as required,
• whether there has been full compliance with work health and safety legislation,
• what procedures are being used to make the site safe.

WorkCover will oversee the removal of the crane to ensure that all safety considerations have been taken into account and will be returning as required to ensure that the site is returned to safe operation by the principal contractor.