Emails 'reveal builders were warned scaffolding at a Sydney construction site was ''putting lives at risk'' MONTHS before it plunged to the ground' - killing an 18-year-old apprentice
- Builders reportedly warned about safety concerns over scaffolding construction
- Report: Synergy Scaffolding sent emails to Ganellen expressing concerns
- Two emails were sent in 2018 before young apprentice was killed by scaffolding
- Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Ganellen or Synergy caused the collapse
Safety concerns over scaffolding at a Sydney construction site where an 18-year-old apprentice was killed were repeatedly raised with builders in the weeks before the tragedy, emails reportedly reveal.
Christopher Cassaniti was crushed to death on April 1 after 15-metre high scaffolding collapsed on him and a co-worker in Macquarie Park.
Months earlier, emails purportedly sent from Synergy Scaffolding to the builder, Ganellen, alleged 'lives were at risk' and claimed the danger at the building site was 'starting to get ridiculous', 7News reported.
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Ganellen caused the collapse, which is being investigated by SafeWork NSW.
The first email, sent in June 2018, pointed out alleged safety oversights - including important parts of the scaffolding being removed.
Emails have revealed that workers on the construction site where 18-year-old Christopher Cassaniti (centre, with his parents) was killed by falling scaffolding were warned about the safety of the site
The first email, sent in June of 2018, pointed out crucial safety oversights including important parts of the scaffolding being removed, putting lives at risk
'One raker tie on Building M level (used to brace the structure) has been removed. This seems to be a recurring theme and this is starting to get ridiculous. I've never had these issues on any site,' the email from Synergy Scaffolding reportedly read.
'This is putting lives at risk and exposing my men to possible issues.'
Three months later, another email was sent to the Ganellen safety officer at the site, again alleging the integrity of the scaffolding had been undermined.
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The email allegedly had photos attached showing scaffolding which had crucial elements removed.
'Once again, they shouldn't be touching scaffold, especially the ties... this had been an on-going issue,' the email read.
Daily Mail Australia attempted to contact Ganellan's owner Peter Maneas for comment.
A company spokesman told The Daily Telegraph it would be inappropriate to comment.
'Out of respect for the families involved and with the investigations underway, it would be inappropriate to respond to questions, speculation or do anything that may prejudice or pre-empt the investigations that are underway,' they said.
SafeWork, which is preparing a report for the coroner, is expected to probe the possibility too many bricks may have been stacked on top of the scaffolding, causing it to collapse.
Since the work site death, union officials have called for a safety crackdown.
The emails outlined concerns that parts of the scaffolding had been removed or were missing which was undermining the safety of the structure. Mr Cassaiti is pictured
Speculation has been rife as to what caused the collapse, but CFMEU national secretary Dave Noonan would not be drawn on what he believed had gone wrong
Mr Cassaniti was working at the Lachlan's Line site in Macquarie Park, Sydney, on April 1 when part of the scaffolding 'catastrophically' collapsed on top of him.
Mr Cassaiti, who just days earlier celebrated his 18th birthday, and a 39-year-old colleague were buried under the steel poles.
His colleague was pulled from the rubble in a critical condition, but survived the horrific accident.
Speculation has been rife as to what caused the collapse, but CFMEU national secretary Dave Noonan would not be drawn on what he believed had gone wrong.
Since the work site death union officials have called for a safety crackdown
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