Criminal charges laid against Grocon for fatal wall collapse

The country’s largest private construction company has been charged over the collapse of a brick wall that killed three people last year.

WorkSafe has filed five criminal charges against the company following a lengthy investigation into the events that lead to the death of researcher Dr Marie-Faith Fiawoo, 33 and siblings Bridget Jones, 18 and Alexander Jones, 19.

Charge sheets filed in the Victorian Magistrates Court and allege that the companies failed to protect the lives of those who died in the collapse, according to The Herald Sun. The publication reports that the charge details allege that it was “reasonably practicable for Grocon Pty Limited to have eliminated or reduced the risk to the health and safety of persons in the vicinity of the wall and hoarding.”

In a statement released late yesterday, Grocon Executive Chairman Daniel Grollo stated: “We acknowledge the action taken by WorkSafe given the tragic consequences of last year’s wall collapse and the broad obligations that apply under the Victorian Occupational Health & Safety Act.

“We don’t yet know the specific detail of what is being alleged against Grocon or the Melbourne signage company responsible for erecting the advertising sign on the wall so we need to await further information from WorkSafe before we can properly respond.”

Grollo said that assisting the investigation remained the company’s priority to ensure that the events are not repeated.

Fiawoo and the Jones siblings were killed when a structurally unsound brick wall collapsed in 100km/h winds. A wooden advertising board dynabolted to the façade is thought to have contributed to the collapse of the wall.

Aussie Signs, who installed the hoarding, has also been charged.

According to The Herald Sun, the documents filed by WorkSafe inspector Brendan Johnson allege eight key failings by Grocon companies:

1. Prior to installation of the hoarding, producing a detailed design which included how it was to be attached to the wall and how the wall and hoarding would be braced
   
   
2. Prior to installation of the hoarding getting a risk assessment about wind loading of the wall with the hoarding attached
   
   
3. Prior to installation of the hoarding getting an assessment by a structural engineer of the wall’s capacity to safely bear the hoarding
   
   
4. Obtaining a building permit for the hoarding
   
   
5. Require that the hoarding must not increase any lateral wind loading on the wall because it extends above or beyond the wall
   
   
6. Require that any increase in the later wind loading on the wall be counteracted by engineer approved bracing
   
   
7. Require a reduction in the wall so that a more robust signage/wall with engineer approved bracing could be constructed
   
   
8. After installation of the hoarding get an assessment of the wall’s capacity to safely bear the hoarding and making any modifications deemed necessary