On 1 April 2019 a steel modular scaffold collapsed at a construction site in Sydney, crushing two workers. Christopher Cassaniti was fatally injured while Kahled Wehbe suffered permanent life changing injuries.
The scaffold was a wedge-lock type birdcage scaffold, originally used as a bridge between a personnel and materials hoist and the building under construction. At the time of collapse the hoist had been removed and the scaffold was being used to store material and to complete the remaining façade work on the exterior of the building.
The subsequent investigation by SafeWork NSW identified issues with the planning, design, management and modification of the scaffold, as well as a lack of clarity regarding its duty rating. It also identified a need for clear written guidance regarding:
- Management of contractors
- Management of scaffolding work
- Management of erected scaffolds, particularly on-going modification
- Training and qualification of workers
- Role of engineers, sign-offs and verifications
The prosecution resulted in a WHS Project Order made under Section 238 of the NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011, to develop a Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard to provide this guidance.
DOWNLOAD THE NEW SAFETY STANDARD HERE
