Source: SafeWork NSW

Saunders Civilbuild Pty Ltd were convicted and fined $300,000 after a worker was seriously injured in a fall through an inadequately covered penetration on a bridge.​
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Saunders Civilbuild were contracted to undertake the design and construction of a bridge over a river. Two workers were walking across concrete girders carrying lengths of steel when one of the workers placed his foot onto a steel infill panel. The panel dislodged and he fell approximately five metres through the void. The worker was found in 150-200mm of water in the riverbed below and suffered serious injuries from the fall.​
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During the bridge construction, steel infill panels were installed in voids between the concrete girders on the deck of the bridge to allow for the pouring of concrete. The panels were pre-cut to a standard size to fit the voids, however some of the girders were bowed when put in place which created variation in void distances. In the area where the incident took place, the panels did not sufficiently overlap the concrete rebate on either side to allow them to be securely attached. ​
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The Court found the risk of death or serious injury from a fall was foreseeable, but the precautions taken were inadequate. Safe systems of work were not in place to allow for panels to be installed securely where variations in distance occurred or to confirm that the panels were installed securely before use. ​
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Visit our website for a comprehensive collection of safety resources, guides and information designed to keep you and your workers safe: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/your-industry/construction/work-safely-at-heights-in-construction