‘OHS nightmare’: Level Crossing Removal Project slammed over ‘disgraceful’ work conditions
Dangerous conditions at Cheltenham’s level crossing removal worksite could lead to a train derailing or worker plummeting to their death, the construction union fears, highlighting what it says are “OHS nightmare” issues in scathing videos.
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A southeast level crossing removal site has been dubbed an “OHS nightmare” with the construction union fearing a train could derail.
And in scathing videos, an outraged Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union inspector said the Cheltenham site looked like “something out of Star Wars.”
The union slammed the Level Crossing Removal Project and Southern Program Alliance over a “never-ending” list of OHS issues, which included unsteady and rocky ground, slippery mud, loose balustrades, traffic hazards and makeshift staircases.
It comes as workers continue to dig out a rail trench as the station undergoes an overhaul at Charman and Park roads.
In three shocking videos posted to the CFMEU Facebook page, the inspector accuses the LXRP and SPA of ignoring improvement notices from WorkSafe which were issued last week.
“They’re doing a big dig out for the trains to go under, there’s one means of access, if you even want to call it access,” he said.
“This is what Cheltenham calls access for the boys … look at the state of it, it’s like something out of Star Wars.
The union inspector believes the trench is unstable and bad weather could cause a collapse.
“(The ground) would be undermined if we had a bit of rain …(it could) derail the train.
“They’re throwing boys in the trenches and excavations without caring about safety.”
In one video posted on May 13, the inspector said workers risked plummeting up to six metres into a trench which had no falls protection.
He said a woman had been hospitalised after falling through penetration near the footpath but has since recovered.
And on May 14, the union claimed tradies would not be able to assist a co-worker if they were to become incapacitated in a machine which was surrounded by mud.
“If he became incapacitated, how would you get him out,” the inspector said.
“It’s a disgrace.”
The CFMEU said on Facebook that OHS issues were “never-ending” at the Cheltenham site and urged them to act immediately.
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“This is the state of things still … no risk assessment, no batter or benching, no emergency response or rescue plan, no regard for worker’s safety or WorkSafe,” they wrote on Facebook.
A Level Crossing Removal project spokesman said all excavation works were planned extensively and undertaken under the strict direction of engineers and designers with rigorous processes in place before and during excavation.
“We work collaboratively with our construction partners and WorkSafe to ensure all works are completed safely,” the spokesman said.
“As we get on and remove the Cheltenham level crossing, the safety of our workers and our sites is our number one priority.”
Buses are replacing trains along sections of the Frankston line until July 26, with Cheltenham station closed until August 17.
A WorkSafe spokesman said they had attended the site “to address a number of health and safety concerns.”