Union blames Comcare for crane incident, 25 May 2005, The Age Newspaper

- In the article, the construction industry union questions Comcare's credibility as a safety inspection company. Having only a small number of workers nationally, Comcare went under speculation when a crane on a Canberra site proved it did not meet safety standards. The crane was dismantled and the site closed: it was not worth putting workers and the public at risk due to its inadequacy. I'm not sure whether this mistake can be wholly put in the hands of Comcare; I suppose so, as they are responsible for construction safety and perhaps should have observed the crane's deformity in inspection. The fact they are only a small company should not impair their abilities.

Article follows:

The construction union has pointed the finger of blame at the national workplace safety body after a massive crane became unstable on Friday at the National Portrait Gallery construction site in Canberra.
Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) construction national secretary Dave Noonan said the crane began tilting on its base, putting workers and the public at risk.
Work at the site has been shut down.
Mr Noonan criticised the safety response, saying the operation at the John Holland site was bungled, forcing the dismantling of the crane.
"John Holland's have recently shifted from the ACT WorkCover Scheme to Comcare, which has only 32 workplace safety inspectors nationally," he said in a statement.
"When the Comcare safety inspectors arrived, it emerged they had little or no experience in construction safety and had to seek advice from union officials.
"The incident highlights the dangers of expanding Comcare into the construction industry. We need an inspectorate properly resourced and experienced."
Mr Noonan said CFMEU officials were at the site assisting inspectors.
A Comcare spokesman later said there was no incident that put workers or the public at risk.
"John Holland dealt expeditiously and appropriately with a potential safety hazard," the spokesman said.
"Cracks were discovered in the concrete footing for a newly installed crane that had not yet been put to use.
"The site was immediately closed off and all appropriate steps taken to protect workers and the public. Comcare investigators attended the site quickly."
The spokesman said independent inspection confirmed there was no immediate threat to safety and that timely and safe action was taken to dismantle the crane.
"CFMEU officials were in attendance during the dismantling as were Comcare investigators," he said.
A Comcare investigation of the matter had begun, the spokesman said.