Construction company commits to $1.25 million safety upgrades after two serious workplace incidents involving heavy machinery.
In January 2022, a labour-hire worker at a Level Crossing Removal Project site in Laverton was struck by an excavator while retrieving a light tower from a vehicle, resulting in foot fractures that kept him off work for several weeks. WorkSafe alleges McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd could have reasonably prevented the incident by maintaining a safer system of work and implementing effective control measures to separate workers from mobile machinery, along with ensuring high-risk construction work followed a safe work method statement.
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Last month, McConnell Dowell faced a total of seven charges in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and Dandenong Magistrates’ Court for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace without health risks. The charges, which include an October 2021 incident where a worker in Dandenong was struck by a reversing dump truck and sustained severe injuries, could be reinstated if the company’s Enforceable Undertaking is contravened or withdrawn.
WorkSafe’s allegations outline that it was reasonably practicable for McConnell Dowell to improve worker supervision and update safety protocols to prevent such collisions. As part of a $1,254,708 undertaking, McConnell Dowell will implement several safety initiatives, including equipping machinery with Blindsight AI technology to enhance people and plant separation, developing training videos, and donating to safety and educational programs.
The undertaking also includes purchasing virtual reality units for training, developing digital vehicle and pedestrian management software, and producing a “Safe Sites” campaign to educate workers on health and safety. Contributions to RMIT University will support a scholarship and fund programs like the Safety and Health Innovation Network (SHINe) and Women in Safety.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin emphasised the importance of worker safety, stating, “These incidents should serve as a major wake-up call to this company and others that it is simply unacceptable for pedestrians and mobile plant to be operating in the same space.” He noted the positive impact of McConnell Dowell’s investment in health and safety improvements, which aims to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
