Reference no: EM133040624

SafeWork Case (Source: SafeWork Authority of NSW)

The lack of clear instructions and proper supervision in the dangerous business of demolition lay at the core of a breach of the Occupational Health and Safety Act that resulted in a $75,000 fine being imposed on Delta Pty Ltd in the Industrial Relations Commission.

This conclusion by Justice Boland in the case that led to two workers sustaining serious injuries after a building collapsed sent a clear safety message to all demolition operators, the Acting General Manager of SafeWork NSW said today. 

In 1997 the defendant was contracted to demolish a number of buildings on the Fox Studio premises in Sydney. On 30 May one of the buildings was being demolished in a method known as controlled collapse. Two employees of the defendant were on a scissor lift cutting timber purlins inside the building when the structure collapsed, toppling the lift. 

One worker sustained a compound fracture to one arm, injuries to the liver, fractured ribs and a fractured pelvis. The other employee suffered a fractured pelvis, loss of several teeth, and injuries to his tendon, cheek and mouth. 

The court heard that hinge cuts and rust in several of the building's steel supports had weakened the structure and contributed to its collapse. Justice Boland said that the absence of the demolition supervisor as approved by the defendant's state manager, and his replacement with someone who was not experienced enough for such a dangerous operation, was a serious error of judgement in respect of the defendant's responsibilities under the Work Health and Safety Act. 

1. Who are responsible for the incident here? Identify any 3 personnel.
2. In WHS, what does the acronym PCBU stand for? What is the role of PCBU in WHS?
3. List 3 and explain control measures that could have been used to prevent the accident.