Brisbane, Queensland

October 2016 Brisbane, Queensland

Project Cranes The Outcome Key Learnings

Construction of foul-water drainage tank at Eagle Farm Racecourse Unknown

Two fatalities • Wall panels should be adequately braced and anchored to the ground with engineer designed footings • When working in pits, it is best to develop a special work system that minimises the need for workers to be in the pit

On 6 October 2016, two workers tragically lost their lives when an 11-tonne concrete panel collapsed during the construction of a foul-water drainage tank in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The below ground construction, part of the $25 million development of 400 infield stables at Eagle Farm Racecourse, included the assembly of four concrete wall panels below ground level. Two workers, a 34-year-old man and 55-yearold man, were located in the construction pit with the only means of entrance/egress via a steel-extension ladder to the top of one of the walls. The first three concrete panels were lowered by crane onto the floor and ‘secured’ with adjustable temporary bracing. When the fourth wall panel was being lifted into place, the structure became unstable and one of the wall panels began to fall forward. The two workers managed to scale the ladder and jump onto the back of the slab as it fell. However, the failure of this wall caused a second wall which was no longer supported to fall forward, sadly crushing the workers between the two panels. The fatalities came just days after workers had walked off site amid concerns for safety. A full investigation of the incident was conducted by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. It was found that a sewage pipe had been used as makeshift bracing for the concrete panels that formed the drainage tank walls. Timber and plastic packers had also been utilised in an attempt to overcome inaccuracies on the concrete levelling pad. Further, two workers were not aware that they had been nominated for roles as health and safety co-ordinators.

The Brisbane construction company involved in this incident was fined $405,000 for two counts of failing to comply with health and safety regulations. The company’s site manager faces two charges relating to duty of care under the Work Health and Safety Act. In addition, the subcontractor in control of the site is facing separate manslaughter charges brought by the Queensland Police Service under the Criminal Code, as well as one reckless conduct charge with respect to an earlier construction of another foul-water drainage tank.

Key learnings from this incident

The erection of concrete wall panels requires thorough planning and engineering. In this incident, it is clear there were multiple failures contributing to the outcome including:

Inadequate panel restraint due to the lack of suitable bracing on the face of the panel and restraint at the bottom of the panel. A panel restraint system must be designed and certified by a qualified professional engineer.

Failure to put adequate measures in place to overcome inaccuracies on the concrete levelling pad which affected the fit of the wall panels. A comprehensive safe work procedure must be developed by the panel erector and verified by the principal contractor. Responsibilities of every worker should be specified in the procedure.

A limited escape route for the workers. A special work system should be put in place that minimises the time needed by workers to install or adjust the panels inside a pit. This may include special designs relating to bottom restraints and footings.