Be Steel Fixing accused of failing duty to provide safe work space

The Office of the Workplace Health and Safety prosecutor will allege a fabrication company risked crushing workers during construction of the Second Range Crossing.

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.

Lawyers for a company facing a hefty fine for endangering workers building the Second Range Crossing failed to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court for the second time.

The matter was adjourned until April 9 and will be finalised in lawyers’ absence if the company’s representatives fail to appear a third time.

BE Steel Fixing Pty Ltd is charged with failing to comply with a health and safety duty.

The Office of the Workplace Health and Safety prosecutor will allege Toowoomba Second Range Crossing workers were put at risk when two steel reinforcing bars, each weighing about 35kg, fell from a fabricated steel mass, when being lifted into place during construction.

There is no allegation of actual injury to workers.

The charges come under the Work Health and Safety Act, that a manufacturer must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the plant, substance or structure is manufactured to be without risks to the health and safety of persons.

BE Steel Fixing provides steel reinforcing materials for large building projects, such as bridges, mines and high-rise buildings.