BlueScope safety incidents include falling objects after contractor death

Incident Overview

An ABC investigation published on 22 July 2026 reported six incidents involving falling tools and building materials at BlueScope’s Port Kembla steelworks in the months after contractor Jack McGrath was fatally injured. The report covers a series of events at the blast-furnace reline project and a related incident at the Hot Strip Mill, rather than one isolated accident.

The matters included a fatal falling-beam incident in November 2025, near-misses involving falling materials and the hospitalisation of a contractor after a 200-kilogram drive gear toppled. The available report records allegations and regulator action without making a final finding of liability.

Workplace, Location and Time

The incidents were reported at BlueScope’s Port Kembla site in the Illawarra, including the No. 6 blast furnace reline. The fatal incident occurred on 17 November 2025. A later contractor injury occurred on 30 June 2026 during a shutdown at the Hot Strip Mill.

Worker and Incident Details

Jack McGrath, a 25-year-old Ventia employee, was fatally injured after a crane failed near the No. 5 blast furnace. The ABC also reported that a Ventia contractor in his 50s was hospitalised after a 200-kilogram drive gear fell onto his feet. Other reported events included a steel plate falling four metres and a hammer falling from height.

Injuries or Fatality

Mr McGrath died after the November 2025 incident. The contractor injured on 30 June 2026 was later discharged. The source said no-one was injured in the May falling-material incidents; it did not provide injury outcomes for every event in the six-incident total.

Emergency and Regulator Response

SafeWork NSW issued improvement notices after Mr McGrath’s death, increased inspections and investigated the later incidents. The regulator ordered a halt to construction work involving water-pipe installation after identifying missing containment mesh. BlueScope said it recognised the near-misses and was working with SafeWork and contractors on safety controls and corrective actions. General workplace-injury information is available from workers compensation lawyers.

Investigation or Court Update

SafeWork NSW said several matters were under investigation and could take up to two years to resolve. BlueScope did not provide running commentary on individual incidents or regulatory matters. The union’s criticism and the ABC’s description of safety concerns are not final court findings.

Sources

• ABC News — BlueScope Steel hit with multiple workplace safety breaches after contractor’s death (22 July 2026)