Statement - Workplace incident at Palmerston Police Station construction site

• NT WorkSafe has commenced an investigation into the workplace incident that occurred yesterday at the Palmerston Police Station (20 February 2019).
• A 31 year old electrician received serious crush injuries after he was pinned by an electrical switch board weighing approximately 1.5 tonnes.
• The injured worker and two other workers were manoeuvring the switchboard into position for installation when the incident occurred.
• A non-disturbance notice has been issued preventing access to the switchboard room while the investigation continues.

Background for journalist

Non-disturbance notices

A non-disturbance notice is issued to:

• preserve the site at which a notifiable incident has occurred
• prevent the disturbance of a particular site or plant, substance, structure or thing associated with the site.

A non-disturbance notice does not prevent any actions to:

• assist injured people or remove a deceased person at the direction of the coroner
• make the site safe or prevent a further incident
• assist with a police investigation
• which an WorkSafe Inspector has given permission
• A non-disturbance notice can only apply for a maximum of 7 days.

Section 198 Issue of non-disturbance notice – Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011.