Two Cross River Rail workers injured in ‘near-fatal’ accident at problem-plagued Brisbane site

Two Cross River Rail workers have been injured and taken to hospital in another serious safety incident on the showpiece $6.3bn state government project.

Two Cross River Rail workers have been injured and taken to hospital in another serious safety incident on the showpiece $6.3bn state government project.

In what sources say was a dangerous near-fatality, the workers were hit by a “whipping” concrete pump pipe on the Roma St site last week.

The incident involved the same contractor, Kenny Constructions, which was involved in last month’s major accident on the Boggo Rd site which left a worker on life support in hospital.

Kenny Constructions has been hit with Workplace Health and Safety Queensland breach notices over the latest incident, including a stop-work order which found a “serious” risk to safety.

A worker on the Cross River Rail project was seriously injured in July.

WHSQ inspectors who filed breach reports on the incident said it involved an “uncontrolled” pump line which struck the workers.

Reports said the pump line was not secured to the ground or other structure and began “whipping” as it was being air-cleaned.

Inspectors found that bolts were missing from the equipment, gauges were not clear, workers were not in an exclusion zone and proper training had not been provided.

The Courier-Mail understands the workers were taken to hospital by ambulance but were not admitted.

“It was extremely fortunate they weren’t seriously injured or even killed,” a source said.

Investigations have been launched into the incident.

“These concrete pumps are very dangerous and unless operated by skilled workers within strict safety protocols, and have been involved in a number of serious accidents, including fatalities.

The Boggo Rd station site.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said there had been a “complete safety reset” across the Cross River Rail project since last month’s accident, but acknowledged there had been another incident.

“I am aware that there was one incident there that’s been investigated, that there was an injury to a worker, an injury to their thigh,” he said.

“We look forward to the full investigation and the outcome of that.”

Mr Bailey said work with the delivery authority and the union representatives continued.

“We need to make sure the safety is there every single time, on every single site, and that’s what this safety reset has been about,” he said.

The Courier-Mail attempted to contact Kenny Constructions’ head office for comment.

The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority said it was aware of the incident at the Roma Street station site and was investigating.

Cross River Rail CEO Graeme Newton and Transport Minister Mark Bailey inspect works underway deep inside the Cross River Rail tunnels. Picture Lachie Millard

“WHSQ was notified and attended site,” a spokesman said.

“The Delivery Authority expects on-site contractors to uphold the highest safety standards, and an investigation into the incident is underway.”

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said it was also investigating.

CRR worker and father-of-two Nation “Nash” Kouka remains in hospital after he was critically injured in a horror 10-12m fall from the Boggo Rd station site at Dutton Park last month.

The accident sparked building union fury and a mass three-day walk-off by workers across the entire CRR project after revelations it had been hit with more than 300 safety breaches.

Nation "Nash" Kouka was critically injured in an accident at the Cross River Rail worksite.