Ex-Safety Officer Accuses Meriton of Flouting Safety Regulations at Gold Coast Project

Introduction
A former safety officer at Meriton’s Iconica project in Surfers Paradise has come forward with serious allegations regarding unsafe working conditions and a culture of intimidation at the billion-dollar construction site. Steve Woollett, who walked off the job last November, claims that high-risk practices were repeatedly ignored despite numerous worker injuries and crackdowns by Queensland’s safety regulator, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ). This case raises critical questions about workplace safety standards and the treatment of visa workers in Australia’s construction industry.

Details of the Incident
Steve Woollett, a supervisor for Meriton’s formwork contractor, described his experience as one where “someone will die here very soon.” As a safety officer overseeing operations at the Iconica site, he alleges that warnings about hazardous practices were disregarded in favor of meeting production deadlines. Key incidents include:

• A worker being struck in the head by a concrete hose during a “hose whip” incident.
• A 21-year-old Brazilian worker losing part of his finger due to unsafe machinery use.
• Non-compliant equipment, exposure to silica dust, inadequate fall protection measures, and lack of proper scaffolding encapsulation.

Mr. Woollett also claims that another concreter was removed from the site after loudly complaining about unsafe practices involving long concrete hoses. Despite WHSQ issuing a stop work order following the hose whip incident, Meriton allegedly continued operations, citing productivity concerns.

Regulatory Actions and Responses
In response to the growing list of safety violations, WHSQ issued four prohibition notices related to:

• Risk of falls from height.
• Scaffolding and formwork issues.
• Managing the risk of respiratory crystalline silica (RCS) dust.

Additionally, WHSQ handed down 35 improvement notices addressing risks such as falls, managing silica dust, access and egress, electrical safety, scaffolding, housekeeping, and encapsulation. While WHSQ stated that these numbers are not unusual for large-scale construction projects, union representatives argue that even one notice is unacceptable.

Meriton declined to answer detailed questions but confirmed its commitment to health and safety, stating that all infringement notices had been addressed and resolved. However, videos obtained by the ABC reveal clashes between Meriton managers and WHSQ inspectors, with some managers resisting stop work orders and insisting on continuing operations despite official instructions.

Visa Workers’ Vulnerability
The situation is further complicated by the presence of many visa workers on the site, including Brazilian carpenters and Mongolian steel fixers. According to Mr. Woollett, these workers often worked up to 57–59 hours per week, violating their student visa conditions. Others, holding employer-sponsored visas, feared retaliation if they raised safety concerns, fearing deportation or loss of residency pathways.

This vulnerability creates a culture where workers feel pressured to take shortcuts, leading to spikes in injuries. Examples cited by Mr. Woollett include exposure to acid, fingers being cut off, workers falling into concrete, and non-compliant electrical equipment. CFMEU Queensland construction coordinator Matt Vonhoff echoed these concerns, noting that workers who raised issues were frequently removed from the site.

Union and Worker Concerns
CFMEU representative Matt Vonhoff described the Iconica project as unique in its level of fear among workers. Subcontractors and employees alike expressed concerns about bullying, intimidation, and deteriorating mental health due to the stressful environment. He highlighted cases of workers being hospitalized after being hit by concrete pumps and others suffering severe injuries due to unsafe practices.

Despite repeated shutdowns ordered by WHSQ, Meriton reportedly resisted compliance, prompting frustration among inspectors tasked with enforcing safety legislation. WHSQ encourages workers concerned about raising safety issues to contact them directly, emphasizing that anyone can report incidents to ensure compliance.