Falls from height
Falls are the number one killer in Australian construction. Scaffolding collapses, ladder slips, roof falls, and unprotected edges cause devastating injuries. Under Queensland Work Health and Safety regulations, employers must eliminate fall risks where possible, and provide guardrails, harnesses, and safe access systems where falls can't be eliminated. If your employer failed to provide proper fall protection, that's negligence — and you may be entitled to common law damages on top of your WorkCover claim.
Crush and struck-by injuries
Being struck by falling objects, caught between machinery, or crushed by vehicles are among the most serious non-fatal construction injuries. These often occur when exclusion zones aren't maintained, when loads aren't properly secured, or when plant operators can't see ground workers. Multi-party liability is common — the principal contractor, the crane company, and the site supervisor may all share responsibility.
Silicosis and dust disease
Silicosis has become an accelerating crisis in Queensland construction. Workers who cut, grind, or drill stone, concrete, tile, or engineered stone inhale fine silica particles that scar the lungs irreversibly. Queensland has tightened regulations, including banning engineered stone benchtop fabrication, but enforcement gaps remain. If your employer failed to provide proper dust extraction, respiratory protection, or health monitoring, you have strong grounds for both a WorkCover claim and a negligence action.
Electrocution and electrical injuries
Contact with live wires, faulty temporary power boards, and untagged electrical equipment causes burns, cardiac events, and nerve damage. On active construction sites, electrical safety management is the responsibility of the principal contractor and the electrical subcontractors. Failures in isolation procedures and risk assessment are common and often constitute negligence.
Manual handling and back injuries
The physical demands of construction — lifting heavy materials, working in awkward positions, repetitive bending and twisting — take a massive toll on workers' bodies. Back injuries, hernias, and shoulder tears are extremely common and can end careers. When employers fail to provide mechanical aids, adequate labour, or proper training in manual handling, they've breached their duty of care.
Heat-related illness
Queensland's climate makes heat stress a serious risk on construction sites, particularly during summer. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can cause collapse, organ damage, and even death. Employers must provide shade, water, rest breaks, and acclimatisation programs. Failure to manage heat risks is an increasingly recognised basis for WorkCover claims.