Worker critically injured on Forrestfield-Airport Link
10 July 2018Australia – A worker has been injured on the Forrestfield-Airport Link project. The man is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after being operated on for non-life-threatening head and facial injuries.
The worker, aged 26, was working in the station box, where one of the TBMs was being held to allow the relocation of feeder pipes inside the box. The client said in a statement: “The injured man was undertaking this work near the mouth of TBM Grace’s exit portal when he was hit by a flailing compressed air hose which had disconnected from a steel pipe. (Note that this updates earlier advice we received that the man had been struck by a falling bracket).”
TBM Grace had passed through the 20m-deep box to continue tunnelling, TBM Sandy remains in the box.
The spokesperson added, “Work stopped immediately and the site was closed down. Emergency services helped remove the injured man from the box and he was taken to Royal Perth Hospital.
“WorkSafe representatives attended and are investigating, as are Salini Impregilo-NRW and the PTA. Perth Airport Pty Ltd is being kept informed.
“As a matter of urgency, all other high-pressure connections are being checked. Work will continue at other project sites and, subject to the requirements of investigators, in other areas of the station box.”
The man is from New Zealand but has lived in Australia for about 10 years. He has extensive experience in the construction and mining industries.
