Man with extensive injuries after being crushed in elevator shaft on Gold Coast

A WORKER’S union has vowed to change workplace practices after a man was nearly killed when an elevator shaft he was working on became jammed at a billion-dollar Gold Coast development.

A MAN crushed in a horrific accident at a Surfers Paradise worksite was in Gold Coast University Hospital last night with six broken ribs, a broken scapula and a punctured lung.

And the union in charge of the billion-dollar Jewel development site has vowed to change practices so it doesn’t happen again.

The worker, aged in his 20s, was carrying out maintenance works in the lift well about midday yesterday when he was crushed.

It is believed he was working high up in the building’s shaft when it suddenly moved. He was jolted upwards and jammed between the lift and other equipment.

The Jewel development at Surfers Paradise.

Despite the extent of his injuries, the man was conscious and alert when paramedics arrived on scene.

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“The patient was out of the lift well upon arrival of paramedics, so there wasn’t anybody trapped or off the ground which would have made the situation difficult,” Queensland Ambulance Services Gold Coast operations supervisor Stuart Cutajar said.

The site was shut down while ambulance, police forensics investigators and the fire brigade conducted investigations. The accident scene was then handed over to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

Workmen at the Jewel development at Broadbeach pictured during the glass installation. Picture Mike Batterham

Several meetings will be held this morning to re-evaluate the site.

An angry CFMEU Gold Coast official Scott Vink said the way the work had been conducted and carried out had been “raised many times by workers in the past”.

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“The practices performed will be reviewed and I’m 100 per cent confident to say they will be changed moving forward.”

Mr Vink said Gold Coast workers led the charge last year by rallying outside of the ALP convention at Broadbeach to lobby for the introduction of industrial manslaughter laws in Queensland.

Workmen at the Jewel development site. Picture Mike Batterham

“We’re lucky yesterday didn’t eventuate in another fatality, another statistic.

“This could have been prevented and workers will be demeaning safer practices and supervision being implemented.

“The construction industry is a dangerous industry and this is a timely reminder for everyone to be aware of their surroundings, and take the time to be aware of it.

“Construction changes from minute to minute, and we’re extremely lucky we’re not talking about a fatality.”

Mr Vink said the injured worker would be in hospital for a few days.

“The incident was very serious, and we’re lucky there hasn’t been a fatality.”