CFMEU protest in Brisbane CBD following Cross River Rail safety incident
The son of a man fighting for life after falling 12m from scaffolding was on the same worksite at the time of the incident, it has been revealed.
The landmark Cross River Rail project site where a man fell up to 12m from scaffolding has a lengthy history of “serious safety problems” according to union officials, who have revealed a tragic new detail about the incident.
Nation “Nash” Kouka, 54, was rushed to hospital after he fell up to 12m from scaffolding at the Boggo Rd station construction site of the Cross River Rail project in Brisbane about 1.15pm on Tuesday.
He was standing on the platform with his colleagues when he fell, leaving his workmates to watch on in horror.
His son was also working at the Bogga Rd site when the incident occured, it has been revealed.
Mr Kouka remains in a critical condition on Wednesday after undergoing emergency surgery at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, according to The Courier Mail.
CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith said hundreds of union members had stopped work at the Boggo Rd site.
It’s expected the strike will continue until Monday.
“Our members are withdrawing their labour in response to this terrible incident, which has come after a litany of serious safety problems with Cross River Rail,” Mr Smith said.
“Regulators have issued more than 300 safety notices at this site.
“Our entire union’s thoughts are with the worker and his family.
“Incidents like this send a ripple of devastation across the entire construction industry.”
Mr Smith called for a full safety audit of the Cross River Rail project to prevent future “life-threatening mismanagement”.
“There must be urgent action to fix the absolutely disgraceful and toxic culture surrounding this project,” he said.
“That awful record tells you everything you need to know about the appalling safety conditions we’re talking about.
“On top of that, parts of this project are two years behind.”
It’s understood negotiations are under way following the protest in hundreds of workers walked through the Brisbane CBD calling for better safety measures across the Cross River Rail project.
Workers have indicated they’ll be on strike until Monday.
Queensland roads and transport minister Mark Bailey said he met with contractors at the Boggo Rd site on Wednesday.
“It’s inherent on not just the Delivery Authority but the contractors keep working hard on safety,” he said.
Mr Bailey said he will meet with the union CEO and contractors on Wednesday afternoon to plan the next steps.
“We’ll be talking about what the next few days involve,” he said.
“The key thing here is working with the union representatives and the workers to ensure everybody gets on the same page as the safety audit, the safety reset, what that involves and what reforms are needed to improve safety.”
Mr Bailey said he is yet to speak to Mr Kouka’s family or his colleagues.
“The son was on site, that adds another level of stress and trauma in this situation,” he said.
“I don’t want to bother them while they (are at the hospital).
“I’m certainly keen to talk to workers involved at an appropriate time.”
Queensland Police Inspector Andrew Tracey said the man had fallen “quite a distance” and sustained serious injuries at the Joe Baker Rd site at Dutton Park.
“There were a number of obstacles he struck on the fall, that’s all being investigated (about) how far (he fell) at the moment but was in excess of 6m,” Inspector Tracey said on Tuesday.
The man reportedly landed on a concrete surface and emergency crews required heavy machinery to get to him safely.
“My understanding is Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Service used a crane and a cage to get down safely and bring him out of that area,” Inspector Tracey said.
“It’s very distressing for all his colleagues and especially his family. No one expects to come to work and end up in hospital before they get home in the afternoon.
“They’re all rallying together and trying to get through this.”
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is investigating and the Boggo Road construction site remained closed on Wednesday.
The Queensland government’s $6.3bn Cross River Rail project could now face significant delays following the workplace incident.
A Cross River Rail spokesman said investigations into safety protocols were under way.
“Our thoughts are with the worker, his family and his colleagues, and psychology services have been deployed to site to assist,” a statement read.
“The delivery authority and our major contractors take safety extremely seriously and the exact cause and details of the incident are under investigation.”
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