Gosford: Scaffolding company Civil 1 Pty Ltd charged over 2020 collapse

A scaffolding company has been charged with failing to protect its workers and the public two years after a major collapse in the heart of Gosford where cars were crushed and a woman injured.

A construction company has faced court for the first time charged with three alleged breaches of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, following a major scaffolding collapse in Gosford.

Up to eight cars were crushed and one woman badly injured when tonnes of scaffolding collapsed about 3.20pm on August 19, 2020, at the corner of Mann and Donnison streets.

Scaffolding collapse at a construction site in Mann St Gosford has seen one woman rushed to hospital with head injuries.

SafeWork NSW launched an investigation following the incident with the occupational health and safety watchdog charging Civil 1 Pty Ltd with three offences including breaching its duty of care to protect its own workers, the general public and one count of failing to comply with a direction under a prohibition notice.

Represented by a lawyer, the company faced the Downing Centre District Court on Monday where the matter was adjourned for SafeWork NSW to serve further evidence and Civil 1 Pty Ltd to review the brief.

Scaffolding accident on Mann St in Gosford has seen eight cars and one ute crushed. Picture: Fiona Killman

The scaffolding had been erected around the former Union Hotel site in Gosford CBD prior to its demolition to make way for the new $400 million Archibald tower development.

The old hotel had been demolished and most of the debris removed from the site by the end of July 2020.

Parts of the scaffolding had been removed before a large section of it several metres high collapsed onto cars along Mann St.

Falling metal also took out a street light and a white utility, narrowly missing the driver.

Scaffolding accident on Mann St in Gosford has seen eight cars and one ute crushed. Picture: Fiona Killman

A woman, aged in her 40s, was struck on the head and treated by staff from Chemist Warehouse across the road before being taken to Gosford Hospital in a stable condition.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) documents list Civil 1 Pty Ltd as being registered to an address at Bella Vista, in Sydney’s north west.

The matter was adjourned until November 28.