A partial collapse that occurred during a demolition task and trapped two workers in a scissor lift has resulted in a $200,000 fine for demolition company Mann Group Vic Pty Ltd.
Mann Group is a demolition company that had been contracted to demolish a multi-storey building in Carlton in October 2022. Prior to beginning the task Mann Group submitted a demolition workplace plan, engineering advice for the removal of the roof trusses and safe work method statements (SWMS) to the project’s principal contractor for review. In total they presented five SWMS, including for the removal of roofing sheets and for the mechanical demolition of site structures.
Mann Group’s original plan had been to use an excavator with a cutting attachment to remove roof trusses mechanically. This plan changed when it became apparent that the excavator could not access the building until several trusses were manually removed. Despite this change, Mann Group failed to prepare an additional SWMS for the manual removal of the three or so roof trusses.
Two workers were using an oxy torch to cut a steel roof truss from a raised scissor lift approximately seven metres high. As the second cut was performed there was unexpected structural movement of the truss. The truss sagged and bent, lowering one of the still attached purlins down to rest on the scissor lift, leaving the workers trapped seven metres above ground. One of the workers attempted to drive the scissor lift forward, but the purlin moved with the scissor lift.
No workers suffered physical injuries, although it took several hours to safely retrieve the workers - an initial attempt by Fire Rescue Victoria to extricate the workers using a cherry picker failed, and ultimately a 60-tonne crane was brought in for a successful rescue. The remaining roof trusses were removed by crane.
WorkSafe’s investigation found that while Mann Group had a number of SWMS, they did not adequately address the specific hazard, measure and risk controls for the manual removal of the roof trusses. Also, Mann Group relied on letters prepared by its external consultant engineer in place of a SWMS for the task. Those letters did not contain sufficient detail as to how the workers were to go about the task. As a result, the workers were positioned under the truss when it collapsed.
WorkSafe had attended the demolition site four months prior to the incident, clearly communicating the need for SWMS to be developed for the work.
Mann Group pleaded guilty to breaching s.21 of the OHS Act in failing to provide a safe workplace by providing a safe system of work. They also pleaded guilty to breaching r.327(1)(a) of the OHS Regulations with their failure to prepare a SWMS that identified the work as high risk construction work, and that detailed the hazards and risks, the measure to control those risks and how those control measures were to be implemented.
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said, "Safe Work Method Statements are there to ensure everyone on site knows how tasks will be undertaken safely, and WorkSafe will take strong action against employers who fail to prepare and implement them as required."
In February 2025 the Sentencing Advisory Council released a report to the Victorian Government making 12 recommendations for reform regarding the sentencing of OHS offences in Victoria. This included significantly increasing maximum penalties for breaching OHS duties in line with community expectations. The Victorian Government is yet to provide a response to this report.
Read more: Demolition company fined $200,000 after uncontrolled collapse | WorkSafe Victoria