Builder fined over tilt-up collapse

A Perth builder has been fined $3500 for the collapse of three tilt-up panels at a construction site at Forrestfield.

Svein Tobiassen pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the panels were braced in accordance with shop drawings.

In a separate matter, Tobiassen was also fined $35,000 in the Supreme Court over the 2002 death of a building worker who was crushed by a collapsing tilt-up panel at a Myaree building site.

On the morning of 7 March 2003, three large concrete panels, along with four steel columns and some connecting steel, collapsed during strong winds at a Forrestfield construction site.

After the collapse it was ascertained that the panels had been cut in half — at the direction of Tobiassen and without any engineering advice — and had fewer braces installed than had been specified in the shop drawings.

WorkSafe WA commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that the case should serve as a reminder that great care needed to be taken with tilt-up construction.

"Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident, but this was probably more good luck than anything because riggers were at the time working only 20 metres away from the collapse," Ms Lyhne said.

"WA has specific workplace regulations for the industry and a compulsory training course must be completed by anybody wishing to work in tilt-up construction, so the potential hazards are well recognised.

"This case is an important reminder that tilt-up construction is a high-risk activity and that safe systems of work need to be in place at all times and strictly observed."

For more information on safety in tilt-up construction, visit www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.