Have any questions? Call us: Carter Capner Law monitors workplace accidents throughout Australia to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for workers and contractors throughout Australia. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law.
Incident Overview
A Snowy 2.0 worker told the New South Wales Industrial Court that he and a colleague were struck by part of a drill during a tunnelling operation on 24 October 2022. The evidence was reported by the ABC on 27 July 2026 during a prosecution brought by SafeWork NSW against infrastructure contractor Webuild.
The court has heard allegations that workers were exposed to a risk of serious injury or death. Webuild denies that it failed to keep workers safe, so the allegations should not be presented as established findings.
Workplace, Location and Time
The incident occurred underground on the Snowy 2.0 project, which involves large-scale tunnelling in New South Wales. The ABC report identified the boring machine as “Florence”. The reported incident date was 24 October 2022; the source did not give a more precise time.
Worker and Incident Details
Drill operator Trent Wilson told the court that he and a colleague were operating a large drill attached to the boring machine when part of the steel rig fell. Mr Wilson said he was pushed about three metres across the tunnel and struck on the hip. The source reported that no workers were injured, although Mr Wilson described being in shock afterwards.
Injuries or Fatality
No physical injury was reported in the ABC account. The evidence describes a significant near-miss involving two workers and an uncontrolled movement of drilling equipment. No fatality was reported.
Emergency and Regulator Response
The source reported that the guide roller had stopped working earlier that day and was tagged “out of order”. It also reported prosecution evidence that a decision was later made to use lower ports of the drill. The article said no failure analysis had been undertaken before the broken part was returned to use. These matters remain part of the court evidence.
Investigation or Court Update
SafeWork NSW is prosecuting Webuild in the NSW Industrial Court. The three-week trial was expected to hear from more than a dozen witnesses; an adjournment application had been refused and the trial was continuing when the ABC report was published. There was no final court outcome at that stage. People affected by a workplace incident can find general information through workers compensation lawyers.
Sources