09.06.2009

Charges for fatal accident

Charges have leveled against three companies and a director following an investigation into a fatal suspended platform accident on Australia's Gold Coast, last year.

Two men, aged 36 and 52, died after the swing stage/suspended platform they were using to carry out concrete patchwork on a high-rise building in Broadbeach, Queensland, failed causing them to fall 26 storeys to the ground.

The charges allege various breaches of Australia’s Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 for failing to ensure the health and safety of employees.
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The wreckage of the platform following the accident

Allscaff Systems, which erected the platform, is charged with failing to ensure that it was erected in a way that ensured it was safe when used properly. Ralph Michael Smith, director of Allscaff Systems, is charged with failing to ensure the company complied with its obligations under the Workplace Health and Safety Act.

Karimbla Construction Services, the contractor on the high-rise, is charged with breaching obligations as a person in control of a workplace and as project manager.

Pryme Constructions, which undertook the concrete patching, is charged with breaching its obligations to ensure workplace health and safety.

In a statement, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland said it has advised the families of the deceased men that the investigation into the accident is complete and that charges have been laid.

The charges are due to be heard in the Southport Industrial Magistrates Court on June 26th .

The platform apparently dropped on one side leaving the two men dangling from their harnesses and then broke away completely, dropping to the ground. Following the accident local unions banned the use of suspended platforms although a number of accidents with this type of equipment have occurred in other parts of Australia since then.