Paterson, Gregory Clifford

56y · Male·Pulmonary thromboemboli due to deep vein thrombosis due to immobility due to head injury due to industrial accident (hose whip)

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.