WorkSafe ACT is investigating a serious safety incident at the Groovin the Moo festival on Sunday 24 April in which a worker fell from a height greater than five metres and suffered significant but non-life-threatening injuries.
In a media statement today, WorkSafe ACT said it has been advised that the worker has been released from hospital and is recovering at home.
Work Health and Safety Commissioner, Jacqueline Agius said she wished the worker a fast and speedy recovery and urged workers, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs), and the ACT community to always put safety first.
“It’s great to see events like Groovin the Moo come to the Territory and we want everyone to be able to celebrate with the knowledge that they will be kept safe,” Ms Agius said.
“The terrible experience this worker has gone through shows how important work health and safety obligations are. I am just relieved this fall did not result in permanent injury or worse, because quite frankly, we are very lucky it didn’t,” she said.
While investigations into the matter are ongoing, WorkSafe ACT will not be providing any comment into the nature of the incident or PCBU involved.
In an unrelated incident at the same event, a PCBU was issued a prohibition notice relating to an amusement ride due to record keeping inconsistencies. The notice has since been lifted.
Given these incidents, WorkSafe ACT is working proactively with WorkSafe Victoria to ensure the next GtM event, in Bendigo on 30 April, is safe for all attendees.
According to WorkSafe ACT, PCBUs organising events must ensure that they are aware of their obligations where high-risk plant, fireworks or other regulated activities are proposed. It is the responsibility of PCBUs to identify all hazards, assess and control risks, and review control measures, regularly. It is also the responsibility of the PCBU to ensure appropriate approvals from WorkSafe ACT are in place. Failure to gain approvals may result in activities or events being prohibited.
“WorkSafe ACT is committed to keeping Canberrans safe at work. We have so far conducted over 2,900 workplace visits across the Territory this financial year and we encourage all workers and the Canberra community to speak up if their workplace doesn’t look safe or is not following safety procedures,” Ms Agius said.
If a worker has a concern or complaint about a workplace or has seen something that doesn’t feel right, an anonymous report can be submitted to WorkSafe ACT at Report a workplace concern or issue.
More information relevant to safety at events, including about safety precautions when working at heights, and for setting up scaffolding are available at on the WorkSafe website.
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