Cross River Rail workers walk off job amid claims worker died from heat stress
Cross River Rail workers have thrown down their tools as temperature and humidity soars in Brisbane, with the CFMEU claiming a recent death of a worker may have been heat-stress related.
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Cross River Rail workers have walked off the job amid Brisbane’s soaring heat and humidity, with the CFMEU claiming a recent death of a worker may have been heat-stress related.
The Courier-Mail understands some civil construction workers at the Boggo Road site stopped work amid a disagreement over heat management plans, shutting down parts of the project.
A spokesman for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority confirmed there had been union activity related to heat on Thursday and Friday.
“Works are continuing at most sites today, and sites are being monitored in line with rigorous heat management policies in line with industry best practice,” a spokesman said.
“The Delivery Authority and the project’s contractors take the health and safety of our workforce extremely seriously, and we expect the contractors to uphold the highest safety standards.
“Heat is managed on site on a daily basis via task cards and Safe Work Method Statements, and shade shelters, airconditioned crib rooms, chilled water, and heat monitors are available.
“Given the recent spate of warm weather, extra emphasis is being placed on heat management activities.”
The walk-off comes as the CFMEU claim the death of a labourer who had been working on the Salisbury site late last year may have been related to heat.
The Cross River Rail spokesman confirmed there had been a death in late December, but the matter was still under investigation.
“The Delivery Authority is aware a worker who left site on 28 December last year was later found deceased, and our thoughts are with the worker’s loved ones at this difficult time,” the spokesman said.
“The worker was employed by a subcontractor working at Salisbury station, and counselling has been offered to his colleagues.
“As this is a police matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further, but of course we expect the on-site contractors to assist police as required.”
Several workers were understood to have been treated this month for heat-related symptoms, with ambulances called and some hospitalised.
CFMEU State Secretary Michael Ravbar said “while most Queenslanders enjoyed the summer break, Cross River Rail workers have laboured through oppressive heat and humidity”.
He also took a swing at contractor CPB – who the CFMEU have long been vocally critical of – accusing them of “treating workers like numbers on a spreadsheet”.
“It’s a new year and Queensland has a new Premier and a new Transport Minister, but the Cross River Rail project is still a safety hazard for construction workers,” Mr Ravbar said.
“2023 was the hottest year on record, yet the contractor on Queensland’s biggest civil construction project still doesn’t have a proper heat management plan for its workers.
“The worst part is that CPB were warned of the dangers of heat stress by Health and Safety Representatives, who are elected by workers.
“Workers have now sent the company – and the government – a clear message: enough is enough.
“It is time for Steven Miles and (Transport Minister) Bart Mellish to do what their predecessors wouldn’t. They must step in and sort out this mess.”
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