Coroner's Finding: CASTILLO-RIFFO Jorge Alberto

54y · Male·hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy resulting from neck compression due to entrapment between scissor lift railing and concrete slab

Jorge Castillo-Riffo, a 54-year-old construction worker, died from hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy resulting from neck compression. While working on a scissor lift to patch post-tensioning pockets on a concrete slab edge at the new Royal Adelaide Hospital construction site, his head became trapped between the scissor lift railing and the concrete slab above. The entrapment occurred during machine repositioning, not while performing patching work. Critical failures included: (1) absence of a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for the scissor lift work; (2) unsafe work method with inadequate workspace (360mm×620mm); (3) emergency lowering lever positioned flush against a safety fence, making rescue difficult; (4) lack of supervision/spotters. The coroner found entrapment caused cardiac arrest, not the reverse. The work should have used a boom lift or alternative method with proper SWMS. Key lessons: SWMS development forces risk assessment and safer alternatives; spotters essential; standardised scissor lift controls needed nationally.