Safety audits are being conducted on worksites around Queensland in response to the death of a worker at a construction site in Brisbane on Monday.

The 65-year-old died when building materials fell from a crane and crushed him on a building site at the University of Queensland campus at St Lucia.

Michele Harris reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The 65-year-old’s death at the University of Queensland, brings to 12 the number of people killed on construction sites in Queensland this year.

Within 24 hours of the worker’s death, the construction industry union ordered safety audits on a majority of worksites around Queensland, including smaller operations.

Andrew Sutherland, CFMEU: “They sort of think they’re off the radar a bit but it’s not the case at all. We’ll be getting around to those jobs as well and they’ll getting a full audit and pulled into line.”

The union is worried that safety is being jeopardised by companies pushing contractors to work faster and cheaper.

Andrew Sutherland, CFMEU: “There’s always a push on every job, there’s always a push. Everyone’s behind schedule and unfortunately sometimes, production gets put ahead of safety and the program seems to be the major concern.”

The union says all of the current safety audits should be completed by tomorrow.

Leightons Queensland says all major construction companies comply with the findings of the safety audits and also conduct their own safety reviews.

Greg Muir, Leighton Contractors: “We do weekly safety inspections, we’ve got a workplace health and safety committee that goes around and probably meets fortnightly at least and then we have safety reps looking after their own area.”

Safety concerns are clearly a priority for everyone involved in construction in Queensland.

It’s hoped these latest safety audits will build on the information needed to ensure that zero harm becomes more than just a slogan.

Michele Harris, QUT News.