A 55-year-old woman remains in a critical condition after suffering multiple injuries in a fall at Hutchison Ports Australia’s Port Botany, according to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA).
The incident occurred shortly after midday on Thursday when two port shuttle carriers collided at the port. Due to the collision, the woman reportedly fell seven metres from the cabin to the concrete below.
Since the incident, the woman has undergone surgery and been placed in an induced coma at St George Hospital, Kogarah. Her injuries include a broken leg, broken arm and a closed head injury.
National Safety Officer Mick Cross, who has been on site at Hutchison along with MUA NSW Branch officials, said that while a police investigation and another by Safe Work NSW are underway, early signs were that the company has failed to meet its obligation under the NSW Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011.
“It appears the company has failed its obligations under the NSW Workplace Health and Safety Act due to a lack of consultation with Health and Safety Representatives in the workplace in the lead-up to this tragic accident,” Cross said.