Two women were seriously injured while walking past a construction site on North Terrace in Adelaide in 2016 after a temporary construction gate came out of its restraints and fell onto the public footpath.
The incident occurred at the site of the University of Adelaide’s new medical and nursing school. Media reporting confirmed that the gate dislodged from its fixings and collapsed without warning, striking the pedestrians as they passed the site perimeter.
SafeWork SA launched an immediate investigation into the incident. While enforcement action did not ultimately proceed due to evidentiary issues, the case remains a significant example of the risks posed by inadequately restrained or poorly maintained gates at active worksites, particularly where public access is adjacent to construction zones.
This incident highlights the importance of:
- appropriate gate design and temporary works planning
- secure restraints and fixings for large or heavy gates
- regular inspection and maintenance during construction phases
- consideration of public exposure to gate and fencing hazards
Gate and fence failures of this nature demonstrate why competent installation, inspection and risk management are critical components of fencing and gate work in workplace and construction environments.
