01:40 pm, Thursday 26 August, 2010

A cladding worker is in an induced coma after being crushed by a concrete beam at a Brisbane CBD construction site on Tuesday.

The incident took place just before 7am (AEST) on the corner of Charlotte and Albert streets in Brisbane city, where the 25-year old tradesman was working on an elevated platform.

It was reported the man was injured while operating a piece of lift equipment. The cause of the accident was not yet determined.

Kane Pearson of the Builders and Labourers Federation said the worker had been working alone at the time of the incident.

“No one saw the accident,” he said.

The man sustained serious head and chest injuries. He was taken to by paramedics to Royal Brisbane Hospital.

The union met with about 300 workers who walked off the site around 11am (AEST) because of safety concerns.

Mr Pearson said workers were concerned about safety procedures not being in place, particularly with regard to evacuation.

“We’ve had numerous things fall through screens on this project, some of them onto the road, over the last 18 months,” he added.

The construction company released a statement, saying workers were being offered counselling and other support.

The company said it is fully cooperating with authorities.

“A separate internal investigation is also underway,” the company said.

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