Safety & Incident Investigations

Accident investigations, and the analysis of failures of safety systems and equipment, are important components of TestSafe Australia's work. Its major client is WorkCover NSW but it has also assisted a wide range of both State and Federal regulatory authorities in undertaking complex investigations relating to major accidents, fires and explosions.

TestSafe is also available to assist industry with similar investigations including those cases where a near miss has occurred.

Erickson Sky Crane (nicknamed “Elvis”) about to drop foam onto a fire in a large fuel storage tank, while NSW Fire Brigade's Aerial Ladder Platforms spray water onto the tank. Photo, January 2004, courtesy of:-Fire Investigation & Research Unit NSW Fire Brigade (Inspector Bob Alexander)

Recent examples of TestSafe's investigations include:

• A major ethanol explosion and fire in Wollongong NSW
• Fatality and injuries involving a worker on elevated work platforms
• Fork lift truck failures resulting in injuries to drivers
• Explosion and wholesale destruction of a pet food plant in northern NSW
• Explosion causes three fatalities at a vegetable oil plant in the Hunter region.
• Explosion of a gas-decanting cylinder
• Exposure of workers to carbon monoxide poisoning from concrete sawing equipment
• Examination of safety helmet after saving construction workers life
• Faulty scaffolding rigs used on construction sites
• Electrocution due to electric welding
• Failure of wire rope in high rise building lift well
• Underground Mine Transport Vehicle incident
• North Ryde Gas Explosion
• Major explosion rocks Sydney
• Equestrian safety at the forefront for the Pony Club movement
• Safety helmet saves construction worker from certain injury