Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-07-20 Daily Xml

Contents

DESALINATION PLANT FATALITY

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Premier in Public Sector Management) (14:23): I seek leave to make a statement in relation to the tragic workplace incident that occurred at the Adelaide desalination plant at Lonsdale.

Leave granted.

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY: I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family, friends and workmates affected by this tragic loss. It causes me great sadness that someone has died simply doing their job. This should not happen in 2010.

SafeWork SA is investigating the incident. That investigation will canvass every avenue of inquiry to establish exactly what happened and to make sure that we do everything that we can to prevent such an incident from ever happening again.

I am advised that the incident occurred while a steel beam was being lifted using a soft sling. SafeWork SA's investigation will not only examine the detail of what occurred but also review the selection and use of lifting equipment on site and the work method for lifting operations. SafeWork SA has issued compliance notices in this regard.

I fully support SafeWork SA officers in their investigation into this tragic incident. I hope that, through workers, business and government acting together, we can do everything in our power to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.