Wall collapse seriously injures worker

A Queensland worker was allegedly seriously injured during the collapse of a 2.8-metre block wall in September 2018.

According to a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland incident alert, the worker sustained serious head, back and chest injuries when he attempted to jump off a trestle to avoid the collapse.

He and another worker, who was not injured, were constructing the wall when the incident took place.

The incident alert said this followed a similar incident in August 2018, when a 5 metre-high core filled block wall collapsed at a separate construction site. Fortunately in this case, there were no injuries.

Investigations are continuing into both incidents.

According to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, during construction, masonry walls (brick or block) can fail due to side loads on the walls, the rate of construction, inadequate foundations or adjacent excavations. Side loads may include wind, inadvertent impact with the walls or leaning materials against them.

The incident alert said principal contractors and masonry contractors are jointly responsible for the masonry work on the site. As part of the preparation contractors should ensure to provide:

• advice about who is responsible for installing, inspecting and removing any temporary supports;
• designs and materials for temporary supports, considering the particular walls’ characteristics (seek engineering advice if necessary);
• materials to identify no-go zones — eg, fencing, tape or signage;
• instruction for workers, including site induction and supervision.
   

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