Construction company to spend $300k on safety measures after worker crushed

A civil construction company will reportedly spend $300,000 on safety improvements after a worker was crushed by traffic management barriers and fencing, resulting in serious injury.

The Frankston Magistrates Court recently heard that the civil construction company Winslow Infrastructure had entered into an enforceable undertaking while facing one charge of failing to provide a safe workplace for employees, as well as another charge of failing to ensure the plant is installed, erected or commissioned safely and without risks to health.

Back in February 2023, the company was completing the Lathams Road Upgrade in Carrum Downs when suddenly, 23 total traffic management barriers and attached fencing, which were on pedestrian walkways, overturned and crushed a worker while she was walking past.

The worker became trapped under the culmination of barriers, suffering serious injuries, including six broken ribs, a broken collarbone, and two collapsed lungs, with a blood clot presiding in one of her lungs.

After a WorkSafe investigation, it was found that the company failed to follow the manufacturer’s direct instructions to fill the barriers with water. WorkSafe, therefore, alleges that it was reasonably practicable for Winslow Infrastructure to have a safe system of work for setting up and maintaining traffic management barriers.

The estimated $300,000 enforceable undertaking requires Winslow Infrastructure to:

• “Develop educational training videos on safety risks and present them to five local secondary schools.”

• “Engage a risk management software creator to develop four training videos to be made available to workers and contractors.”

• “Create a road safety pamphlet and mail to 10,000 residents who are likely to drive through traffic areas under construction by Winslow.”

• “Engage with three new civil contractor companies with limited resources to help improve their Safe Work Method Statements and risk assessments for the high-risk works.”

• “Donate $100,000 to TIACS, a professional mental health counselling service for blue-collar workers.”

“This worker has suffered horrific injuries in an incident that unfortunately highlights the consequences of failing to have safe systems of work in place and following manufacturer’s instructions,” said WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Sam Jenkin.

“It is pleasing to see this company is now making inroads to improve safety, not only among its own workers and contractors but also in the wider community.”

Kace O'Neill

Kace O'Neill is a Graduate Journalist for HR Leader. Kace studied Media Communications and Maori studies at the University of Otago, he has a passion for sports and storytelling.