A rigger suffered a broken shoulder, two broken ribs, a punctured lung and needed 40 stitches when the scissor lift he was working from tipped over last Thursday.

An inspection of the Built site in Brighton by CFMEU organisers and safety experts following the mishap on July 1 revealed the scissor lift was unfit for use.

The lift's solid rubber wheels were severely weathered and in need of replacement. Despite this, the machine bore a sticker indicating it had been inspected and approved for use by Built staff only one week earlier.

This lift should never have been used for the erection of structural steel on an uneven concrete slab. Outside work on an uneven surface exposed to the elements should only be carried out using a scissor lift with pneumatic tyres. This particular scissor lift had also not undergone its compulsory 10 year inspection.

Important Reminders!

• A builder's sticker OK'ing plant or machinery is not a guarantee it is safe. All operators should carry out checks daily and if they believe an item is unsafe - don't use it!
• Operators must complete a full induction in the use of the machinery in question, given by a qualified person.
• Scissor lifts with solid rubber wheels are only suitable for indoor/covered work.