CFMEU slams level crossing removal project’s ‘dodgy’ concrete panels

A LABOR-aligned union has hit out at the safety procedures of the Andrews Government showpiece $8 billion level crossing removal project, saying “dodgy concrete panels” have been used on job sites.

Workers have been injured by concrete panels using in the level crossings removal project. File image: Ellen Smith

A LABOR-aligned union has hit out at the safety procedures of the state government’s showpiece $8 billion level crossing removal project.

The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union has said “dodgy concrete panels”, stored and transported incorrectly have been used on level crossing removal job sites in the northeastern suburbs.

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On Saturday, the union claimed up to 10 panels — to be used on the North East Program Alliance Hurstbridge line level crossing project in Heidelberg — were condemned after they were found to be cracked.

The CFMEU, aligned with the Premier’s Socialist Left Labor faction, has claimed a supplier is storing the panels ­incorrectly in its yard, which has led to cracking and weakening in the panels.

It has instructed union members not to lift or install panels transported or stored in an ­incorrect manner.

Workers have been injured by concrete panels using in the level crossings removal project. File image: Ellen Smith

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On Tuesday night, a worker at the same job site in Heidelberg was injured. A piece of concrete dropped on the man’s foot, breaking his ankle as he was spraying “shotcrete” on a tunnel wall.

He was taken to hospital and WorkSafe inspectors are ­making inquiries.

The North East Program ­Alliance — which runs the $400 million project to build a new rail bridge over Lower Plenty Rd, a new Rosanna ­station, and to duplicate a section of the track — will shut down the Hurstbridge line for a month in March.

CFMEU secretary John Setka said concrete panels have the potential to maim or kill if they are incorrectly installed or defective.

“For these issues to be happening on a Victorian state government major project like NEPA is inexcusable.”

A Level Crossing Removal Authority said ensuring the safety of its workers and the community was its highest ­priority.

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