Melbourne Demolition Group Pty Ltd has been convicted and fined in an ex-parte hearing after a wall collapsed onto a footpath during works to demolish a Toorak building. The company was found guilty of two charges of failing to ensure that the workplace was safe and without risks to health.
In January 2025, Melbourne Demolition Group workers began demolition on the southwestern side of level 1 of the building. This demolition was done by hand and the materials removed were placed on the level 1 floor concrete slab. Most of this material was then removed by an excavator, with the material that the excavator could not reach remaining on level 1.
The next day workers of the offender attended the workplace and noticed that the northern end of the level 1 floor slab was cracking and dropping at a visible rate. This slab was connected to a neighbouring building, which was operating as a shop. Melbourne Demolition Group made a decision to use the excavator to pull the level 1 slab floor to the ground, to control the fall of the slab away from the neighbouring property. A worker stood out on Malvern Road in front of the footpath outside the workplace during the operation. The footpath had scaffolding in place that could act as a pedestrian gantry and working platform for workers during demolition works.
As the excavator went to pull down the slab, the wall below and the remaining material on level 1 collapsed in an uncontrolled manner against the scaffold and onto the footpath. The scaffold was damaged and debris fell onto the footpath and out the front of a neighbouring property.
A WorkSafe investigation determined there was a high likelihood of the collapse during the demolition process given the progressive removal of the building's structural support, observed signs of distress, the method of induced collapse and the lack of adequate temporary support.
It was reasonably practicable for the company to eliminate or reduce the risk of a collapse by following demolition methodology to demolish the first level down to the first floor prior to the removal of the slab; and to cease all works when the instability was noticed and to contact a structural engineer for advice.
"These actions created a clear safety risk to not only the workers involved but pedestrians and neighbouring shopkeepers which is completely unacceptable," WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Safety Sam Jenkin said.
Before undertaking any demolition of structures or buildings it is critical to have a clear plan in place and consult with a structural engineer experienced in demolition work to maximise the safety of all involved.
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.
Employers can find guidance on managing demolition works in WorkSafe’s Compliance code: Demolition
The Victorian Government has finally responded to the Sentencing Advisory Council’s 12 recommendations for reform regarding the sentencing of OHS offences in Victoria and legislated to increase maximum penalties for aggravated breaches of Section 21 of the OHS Act. The recommendation to increase all general duty offences is accepted ‘in-principle’. The Government will review effectiveness of the new penalties and consider further increases, however, there is no clear implementation timeline on this reform.
Read more: Demolition company fined $125,000 after wall collapse | WorkSafe Victoria