A steel pipe fell at BlueScope's Port Kembla site on Tuesday, raising safety concerns among workers and union officials. The incident occurred during a lifting operation in the steelworks' slab yard, when a pipe weighing several tonnes slipped from its rigging and crashed to the ground.
No injuries were reported, but the incident has prompted an investigation by BlueScope and the Australian Workers' Union (AWU). The AWU's NSW branch secretary, Robert Flanagan, expressed concern over the incident, stating that it highlighted ongoing safety issues at the site.
Union Calls for Action
Mr. Flanagan said the union had been raising safety concerns with BlueScope for months, particularly regarding lifting operations and the condition of equipment. "This incident could have been catastrophic," he said. "It is unacceptable that workers are being put at risk due to inadequate safety measures."
The union is calling for a thorough investigation and for BlueScope to implement immediate improvements to safety protocols, including better maintenance of lifting gear and enhanced training for workers involved in such operations.
BlueScope's Response
A BlueScope spokesperson confirmed the incident and said the company was conducting its own investigation. "Safety is our top priority, and we are taking this matter very seriously," the spokesperson said. "We are working with the relevant authorities and the union to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent a recurrence."
The spokesperson added that the area was immediately secured after the incident and that operations have resumed following a safety review.
Broader Safety Concerns
The incident has reignited debates about safety standards at industrial sites across the region. Earlier this year, a worker was injured at the same site in a separate lifting incident. The AWU has called for a state-wide review of safety practices in the steel industry.
"We cannot afford to have any more close calls," Mr. Flanagan said. "Workers deserve to go home safely at the end of every shift."
SafeWork NSW has been notified of the incident and is monitoring the investigation. A spokesperson for the regulator said they would assess whether any enforcement action is necessary.
