TSRC safety auditor probes detail of initial report

NEXUS is expected to provide a response to an independent safety audit of Toowoomba Second Range Crossing workplace practices this week.

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing under construction by Nexus, Friday, February 2, 2018. Picture: Kevin Farmer

NEXUS is expected to provide a response to an initial independent safety audit of Toowoomba Second Range Crossing workplace practices this week. 

The audit process comes off the back of a series of vehicle rollovers and workplace health and safety breaches at the $1.6 billion project, which prompted the extraordinary intervention of the State Government in February.

A Department of Main Roads and Transport spokesman said that while the government was waiting on Nexus' response to the interim report - which was delivered to the company in mid-March - independent auditor Prensa had undertaken a second stage of assessment to investigate in further detail some of initial findings. 

"That second stage assessment has included site audits and engaging with workers," the spokesman said. 

"Nexus will have a further opportunity to review the stage two findings and provide additional comment.

"Once this feedback process is completed, the report will be presented to the Minister for consideration.

"Based on these requirements, we expect the recommendations from this process to be finalised by the end of April."

The scope of the audit included the incident investigation approach implemented/used by Nexus, systems of work implemented to manage mobile plant as they relate to roll-overs, and the investigative actions undertaken by Nexus.

Previously, the CFMEU said it was "a miracle" no one had been killed at the workplace, which up until mid-February had seen 17 vehicle rollovers, with Nexus and its subcontractors issued with 87 statutory notices for workplace health and safety breaches, including one infringement notice, 

The TSRC is being built under a public-private partnership with the Australian and Queensland governments.

It represents the largest Australian Government funding commitment to a single road project in Queensland's history.

When finished, it will connect the Warrego Highway at Helidon Spa in the east to the Gore Highway at Athol in the west via Charlton.

Originally published as TSRC safety auditor probes detail of initial report