Former Safety Officer Exposes Unsafe Practices at Meriton’s Gold Coast Construction Site

Introduction
A former safety officer at Meriton’s Iconica project in Surfers Paradise has spoken out about what he describes as a culture of bullying, intimidation, and disregard for workplace safety at one of Australia’s largest construction sites. Steve Woollett, who walked off the job last November, claims that high-risk practices were repeatedly ignored in favor of meeting production deadlines, despite numerous worker injuries and crackdowns by Queensland’s safety regulator, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).

This case highlights critical issues surrounding workplace safety, visa worker exploitation, and regulatory enforcement in large-scale construction projects.

Details of the Allegations
Steve Woollett, a supervisor for Meriton’s formwork contractor, described his experience overseeing operations at the Iconica site as deeply concerning. He alleges that warnings about hazardous practices were disregarded, leading to a dangerous work environment where “someone will die here very soon.” Key incidents include:

• A worker 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.

Despite multiple shutdowns ordered by WHSQ, Meriton reportedly resisted compliance, with managers insisting on continuing operations even after receiving stop work orders. Videos obtained by the ABC reveal clashes between Meriton managers and inspectors, with some managers openly defying official instructions.

Regulatory Actions and Responses
In response to these concerns, 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 show resistance from Meriton managers during safety inspections, including instances where they refused to halt operations despite being instructed to do so.

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.

Union and Worker Concerns
CFMEU Queensland construction coordinator 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 allegedly continued operations, 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.