Building death puts focus on safety

Paul Dunlop
CONSTRUCTION industry workers in Pakenham have been warned further tragedy could be in store unless immediate steps are taken to improve safety.
A month after a man was crushed to death by a concrete slab, Worksafe expressed dismay at the “terrible” attitude by many companies towards workplace protection.
Worksafe spokesman Michael Birt said investigations had revealed concerns at a number of sites in the fastdeveloping area.
Mr Birt urged employers to have a close look at how they approached safety in the workplace, or risk another serious injury or even death.
“We cannot emphasise the message strongly enough that high safety standards must always be maintained,” Mr Birt said.
“Short cuts might seem like a good idea but they become very long cuts if something goes wrong.”
Christos Binos, 58, of Reservoir, died instantly when a 14tonne prefabricated slab of concrete fell on him on 8 March.
Mr Binos was working on a construction site in Hogan Court when the concrete slab, about six metres high, crashed down. His was the first death in Victoria’s construction industry in 14 months, a record period without a fatality.
Mr Birt said the tragedy was a reminder to the construction industry to never become complacent.
“The fact that there has not been a death in the construction sector since January last year should be a source of great pride to the industry but (last month’s) incident shows the reality is that the risk of death and serious injury is always present,” he said.
“Our message is prevention. If companies do the right thing, they shouldn’t have to worry.
“We are saying, get it right first time and nothing should happen. Employers’ lives will be a heck of a lot easier and everyone should go home at the end of the day.”