Townsville Demolitions Pty Ltd

Incident description:

A member of the public was injured near a demolition site at a shopping centre. The demolition process involved the removal of concrete columns and one concrete column had already been removed successfully. One of the workers then used a jackhammer to dislodge the concrete around the base of a second column, exposing the 'reo' bars. A worker operating a mini excavator machine then attempted to make the column fall towards the operator. However, the column fell away from the operator and fell through an 1800 mm high timber hoarding, knocking a member of the public to the ground. The woman sustained a broken left wrist/forearm and lower back pain.

Investigation findings:

The method used to undertake demolition work in close proximity to temporary pedestrian walkways was inadequate. There was no system in place that considered the potential risk to members of the public given in some cases the unpredictability of collapsing structures from performing such work.

Considerations for prevention:

After appropriate notices were issued the company was required to revisit its work procedures for demolition work in terms of the method in which such work is undertaken in close proximity to where members of the public are using temporary walkways.

Obligation holders should consider the requirements of Division 3 of Subdivision 11 of part 17 and also section 157 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997. They should also consider the requirements of the Risk Management Code of Practice 2007 and the requirements of section 27A of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 which outlines obligations relating to risk management. AS 2601 – Demolition Work should also be considered.

Court result:

The company was found guilty and fined $20,000 with no conviction recorded.

• What law applies
• Risk Management Code of Practice