Employee killed when concrete floor collapses at a demolition site

Background

A 49-year-old man died when a concrete floor collapsed and crushed him on a residential construction site in Avondale Heights. WorkSafe is investigating the death.

Safety issues

There are several risks with demolishing buildings and structures. These include unexpected structural collapse and falling objects.

This can lead to employees or members of the public suffering serious or fatal injuries.

Recommended ways to control the risk

To reduce the risk of an unexpected structural collapse, employers should:

• Engage a suitably competent person like a structural engineer experienced in demolition work. They should assess if:
  • demolishing the building or structure may cause any specific structural stability issues
  • any temporary structural support is needed.
• Before the demolition begins, have a plan for the demolition works. This includes both the:
  • proposed method
  • sequence of demolition.
• Use temporary structural supports in areas where employees need access. This will maintain the stability of the building or structure throughout demolition.
• Establish and maintain exclusion zones to prevent people from entering potentially unsafe work areas. This includes in or around unsupported structures.

Legal duties

Employers and self-employed people have duties under the:

• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017.

Employers and self-employed people must:

• Provide or maintain plant or systems of work that are safe and without risks to health, so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Provide the necessary information, instruction, training or supervision so employees can work in a way that is safe and without risk to health. For example, by giving onsite employees information, instruction, training or supervision about demolition hazards, risks and controls.
• Not perform high risk construction work involving demolition if there is a risk to the health and safety of any person arising from the work, unless:
  • a safe work method statement (SWMS) has been prepared before the work commences
  • the work is performed in accordance with that SWMS.
• Control any risk to health or safety associated with construction work in accordance with the hierarchy of control, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes any work performed in connection with the demolition of any building or structure.
• Employ or engage persons who are suitably qualified in OHS to provide advice to the employer about the health and safety of their employees, so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Ensure persons other than employees are not exposed to risks to their health and safety from the conduct of the undertaking of the employer, so far as is reasonably practicable.

A principal contractor must also:

• ensure that a health and safety coordination plan is prepared before construction begins where the entire construction project (including demolition) exceeds $350,000
• monitor, maintain and keep the plan up to date for the duration of the construction work.