09.07.2008

$20,000 fine for crane fall

The Australian Canopy Crane Research Facility has been fined A$20,000 for a fatal 2006 fall at its Cape Tribulation Research Facility in North Queensland.

The company, which is run by James Cook University, Griffith University and the University of Queensland, pleaded guilty to breaching section 28(1) of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995, for failing to ensure the health and safety of others.

The January 2006 accident involved crane driver and manager Dick Cooper,63, a who was performing maintenance work alone. He was on the jib of the tower crane when he fell 50 metres to the ground.

The Workplace Health & Safety Queensland investigated and found the crane’s jib had not been fitted with a static safety line and Cooper was not wearing a harness. There was also no adequate emergency system for retrieving someone if they fell.

After the accident the company took action to comply with the Australian standards for tower cranes, and reviewed its health and safety management procedures for ongoing crane maintenance.

According to the magistrate hearing the case, this was the company’s first offence, but the hazard had been identified prior to the incident, but no action had been taken.
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