Paterson, Gregory Clifford
Deceased
Gregory Clifford Paterson
Demographics
56y, male
Date of death
2007-06-15
Finding date
2010-10-18
Cause of death
Pulmonary thromboemboli due to deep vein thrombosis due to immobility due to head injury due to industrial accident (hose whip)
AI-generated summary
A 56-year-old concreter died from pulmonary embolism secondary to deep vein thrombosis and immobility following a severe head injury sustained when struck by a concrete pump hose that had undergone hose whip. The hose blockage and sudden release occurred during restart of pumping after pump relocation. Key clinical lessons: (1) the head injury triggered complications from prolonged immobility including thromboembolism; (2) thrombolysis was attempted despite intracerebral haemorrhage risk; (3) the underlying workplace hazard—hose whip—was poorly understood across the construction industry and inadequately controlled. The death was preventable had workers been warned to stand clear during high-risk pump restart, or had safer concrete specifications and recirculation protocols been implemented. Systemic failures in hazard identification and worker communication were identified.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
Procedures
Contributing factors
- Excessively wet or bony concrete mix prone to segregation and blockage
- Failure to recirculate concrete after pump relocation
- High engine revolutions on pump restart creating excessive pressure
- Failure to warn workers to stand clear during high-risk restart phase
- Lack of awareness of hose whip hazard severity across construction industry
- Inadequate supervision of concrete pumping operation
- Prolonged immobility from head injury leading to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Coroner's recommendations
- Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to issue a safety alert to industry groups regarding hose whip hazard and control measures
- Amend the Concrete Pumping Code of Practice to include description of hose whip risk, contributing factors, and risk reduction methods
- Implement exclusion zones for workers during high-risk hose whip periods after industry and expert consultation
- Require all persons engaged in overhead boom concrete pumping to wear appropriate personal protective equipment including hard hats
- Highlight the obligation of concrete pump operators and conductors to ensure equipment and concrete mix are suitable for site requirements, including the right to refuse pumping services if risk factors are not addressed
- Promote proper selection of pump type and boom length to reduce delivery line handling
- Conduct further auditing and information campaigns targeting the concrete pumping industry regarding hose whip hazards
- Raise the issue of hose whip for inclusion in National Code of Practice when developed
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