Young Worker Tragically Killed On JHH Construction Site

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police and Safe Work NSW are investigating the circumstances surrounding a workplace accident on the John Hunter Hospital construction site which claimed the life of a 20-year old man.

Emergency services were called to the Health and Innovation Precinct work site at about 9.00am on Wednesday to reports the young man was struck by steel reinforcement which fell on him.

He was taken to the nearby hospital in a critical condition but died on Wednesday afternoon.

Health Minister Ryan Park has offered his condolences to the man's family, friends and colleagues, with support and counselling being provided to all concerned.

Police and Safe Work NSW are investigating the workplace accident at the John Hunter Hospital construction site Picture: SMH

Truck Driver Injured On Newcastle Inner City Bypass Worksite

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man working on the Newcastle Inner City Bypass extension has been injured in a truck crash overnight.

Police say the 56-year-old man was driving a dump truck on the work site off Lookout Road at New Lambton Heights just before 10pm when the truck crashed down a gully.

He was trapped under the dump truck for a short time before being freed by the Police Rescue Squad.

He was treated by the Critical Care Medical Team from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter before baing taken by ambulance to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition with multiple crush injuries.

SafeWork Inspectors will attend the site this morning to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.   

Safe Work NSW Conducting Surprise Safety Inspections on Newcastle Building Sites This Week

BY ISABEL EVERETT

"Be prepared for unannounced site visits."

That's the message from, Craig Jennion, the Hunter Executive Director of the Housing Industry Association (HIA).

SafeWork NSW inspectors will be conducting surprise inspections on Newcastle building sites this week, aimed at clamping down on high-risk harms on construction sites.

Inspectors are focusing on work from heights, electrical safety, falling objects, amenities, work plans and the prevention of respiratory diseases such as silicosis, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

They will also be checking worksites have appropriate COVID-19 safe practices in place for all workers.

Inspectors have the power to issue on the spot fines of up to $3600 for corporations and $720 for individuals.

The HIA is warning that inspectors will use these powers where businesses are not protecting their workers.

“HIA urges the construction sector to be observant of requirements relating to COVID-19. HIA has supported the sector with a suite of up-to-date COVID safe operational guidelines, available on our website”.

“All of HIA’s Making Space on Site Guidelines, site signs and the COVID-19 QR Code site induction are freely available to assist ensure business employees and subcontractors are working to remain COVID safe on-site and in the office."

“If you are a person conducting a business or undertaking work on a construction site, the work health and safety laws require you to manage the risks to health and safety associated with activity that is reasonably likely to cause injury”

HIA urges industry to visit the HIA and SafeWork NSW websites to ensure compliance and avoid a potential fine.

“While the Newcastle region is the focus of the SafeWork NSW campaign those operating anywhere in NSW need to be vigilant”, concluded Mr Jennion.

Image Credit: Irish Times

85-Year-Old's Narrow Escape Raises Safety Concerns

BY NADIA D'ANDREA

An 85-year-old Stockton woman avoided death yesterday afternoon after a window fell from a two storey building.

June Daniels was waiting for a bus outside a construction site on the corner of Newcastle's Perkins and King Streets when the window smashed onto the ground less than a metre from where she stood.

University of Newcastle lecturer, Paul Scott, was walking across the street when he heard the window land and says it could have been avoided if the worksite was fenced off.

He was one of the first to attend to Mrs Daniels and made sure to photograph the smashed glass, later reporting the incident to SafeWork NSW.

“Mrs Daniels was extremely lucky she wasn’t very seriously injured or perhaps even killed," Paul Scott told 2NURFM News.

"She said to me, look, I’m 85, I don’t expect to be around forever but I didn’t think a window falling from the sky would be the thing that took me out!”

Mrs Daniels was left shaken by the incident but fortunately escaped unharmed.

Picture: Paul Scott Via Newcastle Herald.

Probe Launched Into Baiada Ammonia Leak At Beresfield

BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is under way into an ammonia leak at the Baiada Chicken Factory at Beresfield on Friday night which has left nine people in hospital.

350 workers were evacuated and 11 taken to hospital following the incident.

In a statement, the company says the leak occurred during the installation of a new refrigeration equipment outside the plant by a specialist service provider.

It's not the first time an incident like this has occurred at the plant.

In March 2016, 43 employees were overcome by Chlorine Dioxide fumes - the company was subsequently fined $15,000 by the Environment Protection Authority, while 1 employee was taken to hospital in December that year after a minor ammonia leak.