CFMEU lodged WorkSafe complaint over scaffolding at site of former Ringwood nightclub
The workplace safety watchdog has been called in over concerns about scaffolding built precariously on the site of a popular Ringwood nightclub that was destroyed in a suspicious fire.
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The workplace safety watchdog has been called in over concerns about scaffolding built precariously on the site of a popular nightclub that was destroyed in a suspicious fire.
The CFMEU last week lodged a complaint with WorkSafe about the scaffolding at the site of former Ringwood nightclub Dakota.
CFMEU occupational safety adviser Garry Donnon said it was an “accident waiting to happen”.
“It’s a no-brainer that it’s not to standard,” he said.
“It’s barely tied to anything for a start, and having the shade cloth on there means it’s like a sail that could get blown over in strong winds. When adding shade cloth to these scaffolds, engineering is required.”
WorkSafe inspectors attended the site late last week to check the scaffolding.
“WorkSafe has visited the site to ensure health and safety obligations are being complied with,” a spokesman said.
Project manager Joe Cossari Jr said the scaffolding did look “to be a little bit excessive and not too safe in the wind”.
“WorkSafe had a look … and made sure it was fine and tied in,” he said.
He said the height of the project had changed so the builder had since removed the top level of the scaffolding.
“It was a little bit deceiving particularly in the wind, it looked a little bit threatening,” Mr Cossari said. “But no fines, no nothing, no issues.”
Mr Donnon warned that scaffolding regulations needed to be followed because otherwise workers could be put at risk.
“You wouldn’t expect to see this in Australia,” he said.
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The nightclub was destroyed in a suspicious fire in 2016, with plans for an $8 million redevelopment revealed at the end of 2017.
It is expected to include a renamed nightclub and a hotdog shop on the ground level, with a beer garden on the first level and a function centre on the second level.
Mr Cossari said the builders were “pushing hard to have the nightclub opened by the end of the year”.