$200K fine follows uncontrolled collapse that trapped two workers
In Victoria, a demolition company has been fined $200,000 without conviction after a partial collapse that trapped two workers. The incident occurred in October 2022 at a site in Carlton.
The two workers were cutting a steel roof truss from a raised scissor lift when there was unexpected structural movement. Pausing and watching the truss sag and bend before one of the roof purlins attached to the truss came to rest on the scissor lift, the workers were left trapped seven metres above ground.
An initial rescue was attempted by Fire Rescue Victoria, following which a 60-tonne crane was ultimately used to safely retrieve the uninjured workers several hours after the incident. While five safe work method statements (SWMS) and a demolition work plan were provided to the principal contractor, none of these covered the manual demolition of roof trusses, a WorkSafe Victoria investigation found.
The company admitted that it did not prepare a SWMS that stated the hazards from the demolition of roof trusses and the risk of serious injury or death arising from an uncontrolled collapse, and described the measures required to control the risk and how they were to be implemented.
After earlier pleading guilty to a single charge of performing high risk construction work without first having prepared a SWMS for the work, the company was sentenced in the Melbourne County Court.
“The nature of the collapse was unexpected and uncontrolled, meaning it could have easily turned out much, much worse,” WorkSafe Victoria Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said. “Safe Work Method Statements are there to ensure everyone on site knows how tasks will be undertaken safely, and WorkSafe will take strong action against employers who fail to prepare and implement them as required.”
When undertaking High Risk Construction Work (HRCW), WorkSafe Victoria advised that duty holders must:
- Ensure HRCW is not performed unless a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is prepared.
- Ensure that once a SWMS has been developed, all HRCW work is undertaken in accordance with that SWMS.
- Stop work immediately, or as soon as it is safe to do so, once they become aware a SWMS is not being followed.
- Review the SWMS whenever there is a change in the work being undertaken or if there is an indication that control measures are not adequate.
- A copy of the SWMS must be retained for the duration of any HRCW.
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