The widow of a man who plunged to his death in a zip line accident at Cape Tribulation four years ago listened as a witness gave evidence a ‘grandstand’ zip line was put together without recommended equipment.
The widow of a man who plunged to his death in a zip line accident at Cape Tribulation four years ago listened as a witness gave evidence a ‘grandstand’ zip line was put together without recommended equipment.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is prosecuting Sheena Mary Walshaw, the former managing director of Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, whose parent company Keydane Pty Ltd went into liquidation five months after Dean Sanderson fell 16m to his death.
His wife Shannon Sanderson fell 10m, sustaining serious injuries in the disaster on October 22, 2019.
Ms Walshaw is defending a charge that she failed to comply with health and safety duty.
Mrs Sanderson and her son Bailey filed a claim in Cairns Supreme Court against Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours and the engineering company EDMS Pty Ltd, seeking $1.8 million for Mr Sanderson’s death and $624,000 for Mrs Sanderson’s injuries.
Proceedings were discontinued last March.
Keydane Pty Ltd is facing a charge of reckless conduct, with a five day trial anticipated in Cairns District Court in June.
But the company cannot be fined as it was liquidated.
Several former workers gave evidence before Magistrate Kevin Priestly on the second day of the trial on Tuesday.
The court heard they had a variety of trade qualifications and worked as tour guides or supervisors.
Jay Stanley worked for Jungle Surfing Canopy for about six months in late 2017, reporting to operations manager Leigh Gallon and Ms Walshaw.
He said he participated in meetings with engineers and Mr Gallon and Ms Walshaw about building the grandstand tower.
Mr Stanley said a torque wrench was recommended for part of the installation.
A torque wrench is used to apply a specific torque to a fastener such as a nut or bolt.
“I talked to (Leigh) about using the torque wrench … there was possibly a mechanic in town to borrow a torque wrench (but) it wasn’t there, it was installed without a torque wrench,” he said.
“It was the last zip line of the tour, on the right, set to the same tension as the existing one … Leigh made the call to get it done with the tools we had.”
Mr Stanley said a socket wrench was used.
He was asked by prosecutor Glen Rice KC how it was done in the absence of a torque wrench.
“As tight as we physically could,” Mr Stanley said.
Ms Walshaw’s defence counsel asked former workers about her role, suggesting it was sales, administration, marketing and human relations rather than direct involvement in the equipment.
Nine weeks after the tragedy, Worksafe Qld issued a safety alert on zip line terminations.
“An 86m zip line termination failed and two patrons dropped to the ground, causing fatal injuries to one and serious injuries to the other,” the notice said.
It said all ziplines should be designed or verified by a qualified engineer and should be installed by workers with qualifications in advanced rigging.
“It appears that the rope grip type termination at the top end of the zip line failed, allowing the zip line to disengage suddenly and causing both patrons to hit the ground,” it said.
Ms Warshaw’ defence said a pressed swage type rope termination should have been used, and not wire rope grips bulldog style.
Source: Cairns Post
