Basic safety failing costs crane company $70,000

Huntingdale Mobile Cranes pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to failing to provide a safe workplace for employees and people other than employees.

Judge Philip Coish was told the company had not checked to ensure locating pins were fitted under a concrete panel its crane had lifted into position and it had not ensured steel support bracing on the panels were correctly positioned and locked into position in accordance with the industry standard for precast and tilt-up concrete for buildings.

The concrete panel fell when the steel braces fitted to provide support were removed. A man died when he was hit by the panel, although it was not alleged that the breaches by Huntingdale Mobile Cranes caused the fatality.

Judge Coish said the safety failings were serious and, despite company concerns about the effect of a conviction on its obtaining future contracts, a conviction was warranted to ensure others ensured safety requirements were met.

Huntingdale Mobile Cranes is one of three companies charged in relation to safety failings at the construction site in Pakenham. The charges against two other companies are yet to be heard.

The Director of WorkSafe’s Construction and Utilities Division, Chris Webb, said the dangers associated with concrete panels were obvious and that anyone involved in any work with them had to ensure high safety standards were applied at all times: “There have been many serious incidents involving panels falling in conditions ranging from strong winds to inadequate attention to detail when they’re being put up or the removal of props.

“They’re not all fatalities or even lead to injury, but the consequences are at best disruptive and at worse lead to a death affecting hundreds of people.

“Adopting a back-to-basics policy is essential. Ensure people understand the basic safety requirements and that they comply with them whatever your role is.”