WorkSafe prosecutes Hanssen

WorkSafe has taken action against Perth-based construction company Hanssen after an incident that resulted in the death of a labour hire backpacker.

In 2016, a female German backpacker employed by Hanssen under a labour hire arrangement fell 13 floors to her death through a pressurisation shaft at the Concerto apartment site on Adelaide Terrace.

WorkSafe said no charges have been laid in relation to the incident, but other breaches were identified during the course of its investigation and this prosecution is the result.

WorkSafe found Hanssen had breached Occupational Safety and Health Regulations by failing to apply mesh to holes or openings in the concrete floor.

The government agency said repeat offences were committed during construction at the site.

The prosecution comes nearly a month after Hanssen was fined $47,500 for failing to ensure construction work at Finbar Group’s 34-storey Vue tower project in East Perth was being carried out under a qualified manager or supervisor.

At the site, a tilt-up panel fell onto parked cars after an apprentice unbolted temporary props in an attempt to fix the panel.

Hanssen managing director Gerry Hanssen told Business News the company had implemented new safety procedures since the incident at Concerto in 2016.

“Since the incident, our company has developed and implemented an improved safer penetration protection system,” Mr Hanssen said in an email.

“After three years we are still waiting for the exemption to clause 354(1b) by the courts.

“We took immediate action to develop a safer method than the one prescribed in the outdated act to avoid a repeat of the accident.

“We hope the judge will give a decision as soon as possible to allow us to work in a safer way legitimately.”