03:27 pm, Monday 22 December, 2008

A worker has been injured after falling six metres on a commercial construction site in Darwin.

The 24-year old rigger, was working in wet conditions he slipped on scaffolding and fell. It was not clear what Scaffolding Safety Procedures were in place, however a difficuilt rescue began in order to retrieve the worker from the fourth floor of the partially built building.

The construction worker had only been on the job site for two days, when he fell several stories whilst not wearing a safety harness. Rescue workers had to scale a make shift set of stairs to reach the worker.

The high rise developement was brought to a standstill while Fire and Ambulance crews strapped the injured worker to a spinal board and used an onsite crane to lower the worker to the ground.

WorkSafe have launched investigations into the incident. Seasonal monsoon rains have made working outdoors more dangerous than usual and any Principle Site Contractors are urged to conduct risk assessments reguarlarly to meet the changing conditions.

Work Method Statements for all site tasks, including working on Scaffolding.

Report by SafetyCulture Let us know

Report by Julia Alder - Do you have an OHS News Story - Let us know