‘Broken bones and burns’: Horror refinery fall victim hospitalised

A contractor suffered burns to his back, chest and face from a caustic substance and broke a number of bones after a fall at work

The contractor who was injured in Tuesday’s workplace accident at Yarwun was transferred from the Gladstone Hospital to a ward in the Sunshine Coast University Hospital overnight.

A Queensland Health representative said he was in a stable condition.

Sunshine Coast University Hospital

Emergency services responded to the workplace incident at the Rio Tinto refinery on Hanson Road, Yarwun before 10am on Tuesday.

It was reported a person suffered a fall from a scaffold and then came into contact with chemicals on the ground.

Caustic soda is used in the refining of bauxite to produce alumina and, in turn, aluminium.

Queensland Ambulance Service has since confirmed the man suffered significant leg injuries, believed to be a fractured femur and ankle.

He also suffered what were described as “superficial” burns to his chest, face and back.

The scene reportedly had to be decontaminated.

A Cimic Group representative declined to comment on behalf UGL Engineering Services for which the contractor reportedly worked.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors and Rio Tinto have launched an investigation.