$100,000 fine after crane incident at hospital

Major Crane Logistics Pty Ltd, now in liquidation, was sentenced ex-parte in the Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 5 August after being found guilty of a single charge of failing to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that persons other than employees were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.

The company was also ordered to pay $4,347 in costs.

The court heard that the company was engaged to provide tower crane operators, dogmen and crane-related equipment to assist with the hospital's redevelopment.

In July 2023, workers were using a tower crane to lift a load comprising of two pallets of plasterboard, each weighing nearly one tonne, over the hospital's Sutherland Ward.

As the load was being lowered onto a landing platform, the top pallet slid and fell onto the roof below, damaging a consultation room and reception lounge.

While there was a patient in the room, no persons were injured as a result of the incident.

The court found that it was reasonably practicable for Major Crane Logistics to reduce the risk by implementing a system of work that required each pallet to be lifted separately, or if they were to be lifted together, to be restrained by chocking, wrapping, strapping or banding the pallets.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said failing to establish a safe system of work when using cranes was a recipe for disaster.

"Properly securing loads when using heavy machinery like cranes is a crucial step in preventing serious incidents like this which could have had a much worse outcome," Mr Jenkin said

"Adhering to safe systems of work is a fundamental obligation for all employers to keep both workers and the general public safe during construction activities."

Kane Constructions Pty Ltd, the principal contractor on the site, has also been charged in relation to the incident and will next appear at Heidelberg Magistrates' Court on 3 September 2026.

When using cranes, measures to manage the risks include:

• Selecting the proper crane and lifting equipment for the task, size and weight of the load.
• Ensuring cranes are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and requirements, and operated within their design parameters.
• Checking that crane operators and persons connecting loads have the skills, training and licences to operate safely.
• Creating and adhering to safe systems of work and ensuring all workers are properly trained and competent before commencing the task.
• Considering environmental factors such as weather, ground bearing capacity, overhead and underground services such as power lines and pipes/drains, and ensuring non-essential persons are excluded from the area of operation.
• For construction work, ensuring a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is created and adhered to.