A teenage worker who fell several metres at an inner Brisbane job site remains in hospital fighting for life after suffering serious injuries.
Paramedics were called to the CS Development Group building site on Victoria Street in West End on Tuesday about 1.30pm.
The 17-year-old was treated after reports he had fallen more than 2½ metres, and rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious condition. On Wednesday, he remained in a critical condition.
The accident came about three months after the CFMEU posted a video to social media, highlighting its safety concerns at the site.
“Workers reached out to the CFMEU at this construction project in West End in regard to productivity being pushed over safety,” the union posted on June 16.
“Workers have raised these concerns to the builder and told the CFMEU they were not given the time to clean the site or follow simple safety procedures.
A screenshot from CFMEU video posted to Facebook showing the West End worksite where a 17-year-old worker fell.Credit: CFMEU
“Have a look for yourself, this is what happens when the builder’s only concern is productivity over safety.”
CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar slammed Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for allowing work to continue at the site on Tuesday after the worker was taken to hospital.
“A young worker is fighting for his life while Workplace Health and Safety Queensland looks the other way,” he said.
“After it took three hours for WHSQ to show up, the developer was allowed to complete the concrete pour despite clearly identified risk of falls from height at a number of locations on the top deck of the site.
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“The developer saved a few bucks at the expense of its workers – and all under the watch of a broken regulator that is supposed to manage workplace health and safety.”
The West End incident came three days after the death of a surveyor at a Transport and Main Roads project in Victoria Point.
“Serious incidents are happening regularly on building and construction sites across the state, yet they are not being properly recorded,” Ravbar said.
“Instead, it is left to the workers themselves and the general public to come forward and alert the community. The current failed system shields WHSQ from accountability and allows the regulator to shirk its job.”
Another shot from the video posted by the CFMEU.Credit: CFMEU
A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokeswoman said the incident was under investigation, with inspectors returning to the site on Wednesday as part of the ongoing process.
In July, Nation “Nash” Kouka, 54, fell several metres at the $6.3 billion Cross River Rail Boggo Road station site in Dutton Park, in Brisbane’s inner south. He was rushed to hospital after suffering critical injuries.
At the time of that incident, Ravbar said the union had warned the state government safety standards were “grossly inadequate” on the project.
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