Chase Building Group (Canberra) Pty Ltd

On 30 January 2019, a concrete pre-cast panel fell at a Braddon construction site. No one was injured in the incident.

The incident occurred following the removal of temporary supports from a 3.8 x 2.5 metre concrete panel. The panel fell onto the amenities block of a neighbouring business, causing significant damage to the amenities block and a vehicle underneath.

It is alleged by WorkSafe ACT that Chase Building Group (Canberra) Pty Ltd (Chase) had a health and safety duty in accordance with section 30(a) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the Act), specifically the primary duty of care required by section 19 of the Act, and that it failed to comply with that duty by failing to manage specific hazards associated with panel installation and failing to implement a safe system of work for panel installation.

The regulator considered a proposal for a work health and safety enforceable undertaking from Chase. The proposal met the regulator’s general guidelines for the acceptance of WHS undertakings under the Act and was consistent with WorkSafe ACT’s published guidance material for enforceable undertakings.

The proposal was accepted and became an enforceable undertaking in December 2019. The undertaking will deliver safety benefits to workers, to the construction industry and the community. The undertaking included a statement of regret, that Chase Building Group (Canberra) Pty Ltd acknowledges the seriousness of the incident.

The total financial commitment of the undertaking is $656,080.

The undertaking requires Chase Building Group (Canberra) Pty Ltd:

  • to employ a dedicated, suitably qualified and experienced Safety Manager;
  • to partner with a qualified psychologist to deliver a wellness program aimed at enhancing mental health and wellbeing of Chase employees and their families;
  • to purchase a tower crane for an ACT Training Facility (CIT) for use during completion of high-risk work licence courses for tower crane operators, dogmen and riggers;
  • to partner with the ACT Construction Industry Training Council and production agency VMation to develop and deliver web-based interactive e-learning program for young workers which addresses WHS responsibilities, obligations and risk management concepts; and
  • to provide a donation of $25,000 over a period of two years, to Menslink.

This enforceable undertaking was discharged on 7 December 2021.

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