Ministers intervene over Second Range Crossing safety issues

THE State Government has launched an extraordinary intervention into Nexus’ handling of workplace health and safety on the $1.6 billion TSRC project.

FILE PHOTO: The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing from the air. . Picture: Above Photography PTY LTD

THE State Government has launched an extraordinary intervention into Nexus' handling of workplace health and safety on the $1.6 billion Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project.

Ministers Mark Bailey and Grace Grace will meet with Nexus today regarding the "abnormally high" number of workplace health and safety incidents and investigations at the site.

The Chronicle can reveal today's meeting comes off the back of the establishment of a special Workplace Health and Safety Queensland unit in January, solely designed to monitor the TSRC work site.

Despite that unprecedented step, Nexus has been unable to stem the stream of Workplace Health and Safety breaches, Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said.

A crane has tipped over on the second range crossing worksite near Old Goombungee Road in Mount Kynoch. 17/11/2017. Picture: WIN NEWS TOOWOOMBA

"The intervention of two Ministers into matters related to health and safety on a project of this type is an important step to address the risk of serious injury to workers.

"It indicates the depth of concern that routine interactions between Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and the principal contractor have not produced the change required in work practices.

"I want to ensure that Nexus gets the message loud and clear."

WHSQ has made more than 200 visits to the TSRC site and issued 87 notices for health and safety breaches, including one infringement notice worth $3600, since the project began almost two years ago.

To date, there have been 17 plant rollovers on site, a figure which Minister Grace said was "frankly... unacceptable and demands immediate action".

Referring to today's meeting, Ms Grace said: "This is an unusual step and should convey the gravity with which the Palaszczuk Government views this matter and our commitment to safety at work."

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has also appointed an independent auditor, Ennio Bianchi of Prensa, a national risk management business, to investigate safety concerns at the site.

The terms of reference for the independent auditor will be finalised in the coming days. Nexus was contacted for comment but was unable to respond before going to print.
 

Originally published as Ministers intervene over Second Range Crossing safety issues