Investigations launched after man impaled at construction site in Brisbane’s west

The CFMEU has responded after a man suffered horrific injuries at a Centenary Bridge construction site in Brisbane’s west where he was impaled in the neck.

A file photo of the Centenary Bridge site at Jindalee. Picture: Patrick Woods

A man seriously injured at a Brisbane construction site became impaled on a sheet of mesh after falling over a trip hazard according to union officials.

CFMEU Queensland, in a statement, revealed its officials were allowed onsite to investigate the incident at the Centenary Bridge worksite in Jindalee.

The worker, in his 30s, suffered serious injuries on Tuesday about 3pm at the Centenary Bridge worksite.

He was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a stable condition.

In a major test of the construction union’s powers after an unprecedented government-led takeover, the CFMEU confirmed they were allowed onto the site of the taxpayer-funded project on Wednesday.

CFMEU Queensland workplace health and safety coordinator Kurt Pauls said it should not take a “serious incident for (principal contractor) BMD to allow union officials to enter site to look out for the safety of workers”.

“Our organisers have been called to site on numerous occasions due to a range of safety issues including fall from heights, contaminated drinking water, dangerous temporary fencing and BMD’s use of unsafe imported building materials,” he said.

“Rather than make the site safe for workers, BMD has responded by hiring security guards to restrict CFMEU officials, and by applying for a Federal Court injunction to restrict the union’s access.

“The Centenary Bridge Upgrade is funded by state and federal Labor governments. They should do the right thing by workers and stop awarding BMD major taxpayer-funded projects.”

Queensland Police on Tuesday said the incident was not a police matter at this stage and Workplace Health and Safety would continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the injuries.

Originally published as Investigations launched after man impaled at construction site in Brisbane’s west