McConnell Dowell Constructors (Aust) Pty Ltd faced seven charges of violating workplace safety regulations by failing to maintain a safe workplace following a series of serious incidents on Level Crossing Removal Project sites.
In October 2021, a worker at Level Crossing Removal Project works in Dandenong was struck by a reversing dump truck that was travelling along railway lines transporting spoil from an excavation site. The worker suffered multiple fractures and injuries to his elbow, knee and hip resulting in the amputation of the toes on his right foot.
In January 2022, a labour hire worker was retrieving equipment from a vehicle at a Level Crossing Removal Project site in Laverton when he stepped back and was struck by an excavator, suffering fractures to his foot.
WorkSafe alleged that it was reasonably practicable for McConnell Dowell Constructors to maintain a safe system of work and to implement control measures to prevent powered mobile plant colliding with employees, to provide workers with necessary supervision, and to review and revise a safe work method statement when identified risks were not being controlled adequately.
"These incidents should serve as a major wake-up call to this company and to others that it is simply unacceptable for pedestrians and mobile plant to be operating in the same space," said WorkSafe Victoria Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin.
In entering into an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) McConnell Dowell Constructors has committed to approximately $1.2 million in safety enhancements, including fitting vehicles with advanced Blindsight AI technology for improved people-plant separation, initiating a "Safe Sites" campaign aimed at fostering a culture of safety awareness and open dialogue regarding health risks, and providing virtual reality training for 300 workers. The EU also includes developing new software for better vehicle / pedestrian management on construction sites, supporting wellness programs for employees, and enhancing educational opportunities through scholarship contributions to RMIT University.
The total financial cost of the EU likely far outweighs the cost to the company of proactively incorporating robust safety systems in their workplace to prevent the injuries to the workers from occurring.
WorkSafe may reinstate the charges if the undertaking is contravened or withdrawn.
Read more: WorkSafe Victoria - $1.2M EU after workers hit with mobile plant