The owners of Quick-Ezy building firm were contracted to construct a multi-storied residential block at Garbutt in Townsville. The building site manager for Quick-Ezy buildings is apprehensive about the erection of scaffolding on the site. The scaffolding goes above 2 meters from the ground. The site manager has expressed his concerns about safety aspects at two WHS meetings on site.

He advised that the principal contractor, which has overall responsibility for safety on the construction site, was satisfied with the existing scaffolding structure.

A week later, the scaffolding collapsed, killing two construction workers and severely injuring a third.

You are a WHS Inspector, appointed under the Act, to investigate this matter with a view of making recommendations for prosecution in relation to any possible offences under relevant Queensland legislation.

Question:

If you were the site manager, and before the accident occurred, you received similar information about the scaffolding, what actions could you take to prevent this accident happening? Consider the organization policies and procedures that an organization must follow in response to an accident. Identify and confirm the compliance requirements of the relevant legislation by identifying the sections applicable to the practices of WHS.