Brisbane protest: Heat stress workplace death claims trigger CFMEU rally protest
The wife of a Cross River Rail worker who the CFMEU claims died from heat stress has expressed her sadness over a lack of workplace safety action.
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The wife of a Cross River Rail worker who the CFMEU claims died from heat stress has expressed her sadness at the lack of action taken on workplace safety
A CFMEU protest calling for safer work conditions in the Queensland heat, shut down multiple CBD streets, as workers on the Queensland Parliament calling for more action from the government.
Workers chanted “Stand Up, Fight Back” to show their commitment to the need for stronger heat stress management.
It comes following the death of construction worker Daniel Talolua Sa’u last December.
Mr Sa’u tragically died only a few hours after leaving the Cross River Rail project site in Salisbury on December 28.
It is understood police found Mr Sa’u dead in his car in Moorooka around 3.30pm.
Queensland Police are still investigating Mr Sa’u’s death, and a copy of their report has been given to the Coroner. Mr Sa’u’s cause of death is still undetermined.
The CMFEU claims the father of three died after showing signs of heat stress.
Speaking at the protest, Mr Sa’u’s wife, Jeraldine, said she was overwhelmed by the support from the CFMEU as they called for more action.
“It’s very touching to us to have this amount of people show up,” Mrs Sa’u said.
“It just goes to show they really need to do something about implementing a policy so that everyone that does these kind of jobs are able to go home safely to their families.
“I don’t understand why that wasn’t done should have been done ages ago.
“I am really hoping we get a good outcome today, and it gives us something to hold on to.
“There’s been no change it’s very unfortunate, and now my husband has died from it.”
Mrs Sa’u addressed the crowd with her family by her side, describing her late husband as her soulmate and a wonderful father to their three children.
“On December 28 my darling Daniel didn’t come home safely from work,” Mrs Sa’u said.
“What was to be our hopes and dreams for the new year was replaced with grief and loss.
“What happened to him is not right. Those in power that could have prevented this and need to be held accountable.
“There has been no acknowledgment of his loss, nor closure received from any of these organisations. No words, no accountability and no remorse.”
It is understood the Premier will meet a delegation including Mrs Sa’u and her brother today to discuss work conditions for trades workers.
A spokeswoman for CPB Contractors said the company rejected claims made by the CFMEU about the project’s health and safety controls.
“Firstly, our thoughts are with Daniel’s family, friends and his colleagues and it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment as CPB Contractors has not been advised of the circumstances by authorities,” she said.
“We stand committed to the health and wellbeing of our people, and everyone working on our construction projects.
“As on any major site, if work crews can’t do what they planned for any reason, they get redirected to alternative duties using a risk-based approach that prioritises worker safety, while not compromising the project’s delivery goals.”
The spokeswoman said the company was “not currently a participant” in the police investigation, but would “continue to support any enquiries from the authorities”.
The CFMEU was currently engaged in negotiations with CPB for control of the Cross River Rail site, which has been the domain of rival union the AWU.
“We are continuing to meet with Union representatives, including the CFMEU to negotiate fair, reasonable work agreements that deliver sustainable outcomes for workers, CRR and future Queensland infrastructure projects,” the spokeswoman said.
In a post to Facebook, Mrs Sa’u said the protest is to raise awareness of heat stress.
“This is to help spread awareness around the tragic events that took our Daniel. And to implement change to ensure this is prevented in the future!!!” Mrs Sa’u wrote.
In a GoFundMe for the Sa’u family, fundraiser organiser and friend Eden Mataito said their world was “changed forever” when family and friends suddenly lost Mr Sa’u as he was on his way home from work.
“This is an unimaginable loss and the pain of that afternoon leaves us all speechless and in disbelief,” Ms Mataito said.
“Daniel was a devoted husband to his wife and a loving father to his three young girls. He was a great provider, a strong leader for his family and a very hard worker.
“Behind this extraordinary man, was always his loving, supportive wife and the mother of his children, Jeraldine, who he leaves behind.”
Mr Sa’u’s aunt, Louisa Etuale, said she came to the protest with her husband Malaai and daughter Eden to remember their loving nephew.
“No one should go to work and not come home,” Mrs Etuale said.
“It was so heartbreaking to lose our nephew no one should have to go through that.
“We want to make sure something like this never happens again … today is a start.”
A member of the CFMEU, who wished to remain anonymous, said the protest was to fight for better working conditions and to remember Mr Sa’u.
“We all took a day off work unpaid to come and support the family,” she said.
The protest stopped in front of Parliament House and speakers continued to spread awareness of stronger health and safety codes for construction workers.
It prompted Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish to defend the government’s “strong safety record” on major construction sites.
Noise from the CFMEU’s worker safety protest reverberated through the parliament as Mr Mellish declared “nothing is more important than ensuring everyone goes home safely every day”.
“We expect all contractors to actively reduce the risk of any incidents happening on site – I’ve made it clear to the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, Queensland Rail Transport and Main Roads that I expect the highest safety standards to be upheld,” Mr Mellish said.
“In relation to Cross River Rail, heat is managed on-site every day.
“Workers are reminded daily that there are shade shelters, airconditioned crib rooms, chilled water and heat monitors available on site.”
Originally published as Brisbane protest: Heat stress workplace death claims trigger CFMEU rally protest
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