Safety Alert: Lessons from John Holland’s Castle Hill Station Incident

John Holland has completed a Work Health and Safety Enforceable Undertaking following a serious incident at the Castle Hill Station construction site on 11 September 2018.  

During the project, a subcontractor’s worker stepped on an unsecured penetration cover, which gave way. The worker fell several meters to the level below, suffering a broken femur, a damaged patella, and lacerations. 

Following Comcare’s investigation, it was alleged that John Holland failed to maintain a safe work environment as required under the WHS Act (section 19). 

As part of the Enforceable Undertaking, John Holland has developed: 

• A comprehensive safety presentation outlining the incident and key learnings. 

• An animated reconstruction of the incident to aid industry understanding. 

• A free Virtual Reality (VR) Working at Heights Training App now available to the construction industry. 

• New immersive induction technology to improve site familiarisation and hazard awareness. 

Key Resources for Members: 

• Incident Animation and Presentation:
  View Here 

• Free VR Work at Heights Training App:
  Access the App 

• Virtual Site Induction Technology:
  MTMS Virtual Site Familiarisation 

Takeaway for Members: 

• Regularly inspect and secure all penetration covers and fall protection systems. 

• Review your site induction and height safety training processes. 

MBA ACT encourages all members to review these resources and integrate similar safety practices where appropriate. 

If you have questions about this update, please contact the MBA ACT Workplace Relations Team at 0261755900 or via workplace@mba.org.au.