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 metres 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:

Who could you refer this matter to and what action could be taken by this organization (consider the applicable codes of practice, the organization policies and procedures followed when establishing contact with another organization) to cease operations until the matter was rectified? Also briefly refer to the statutory time limits for reporting.