RHH workers down tools over safety concerns

Workers on the redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital have downed tools over safety concerns.

WORKERS on the redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital downed tools on Thursday over safety concerns — in particular insufficient lighting.

CFMEU official Kevin Harkins said workers had returned to the job this morning after the site was inspected and passed as safe.

The industrial action was taken due to procedures on the site with the main issue being inadequate lighting.

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The redevelopment is being carried out by managing contractor John Holland Fairbrother Joint Venture.

“John Holland was asking people to work in the dark,” Mr Harkins said.

“As a cost-cutting measure, contractors were being asked to provide their own lighting but that was not happening.

“Most reasonable companies provide lighting and there is a requirement that lighting of a lux value of 120 is used to make a workplace safe.”

There is also speculation that the progress of the redevelopment was more than 100 days behind schedule.

However, a spokesperson said the project was still on track for “practical conclusion” in mid-2019 as scheduled.

The Mercury has approached John Holland for comment.