WorkSafe ACT has served Canberra Metro with a Prohibition Notice and an Improvement Notice following a gas leak at a site of light rail works on Thursday.
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Northbourne Avenue was closed in both directions during peak hour yesterday afternoon, after a gas leak at the intersection of Northbourne and Ipima Street, where light rail works have been underway this week. A large gas line was damaged by machinery during excavation works WorkSafe said.
"This was a major gas line strike and we have significant concerns around how Canberra Metro and subcontractors are identifying, recording and protecting utilities along the project route," ACT Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said.
"We have now had a number of utility strikes including gas, electricity and water as well as other infrastructure such as light poles being damaged. It is fortunate that significant injuries have not occurred as a result of these incidents" he said.
A ban on mechanical excavation at the site will be in place until the commissioner is satisfied that improvements to practices have been made.
"An Improvement Notice has also been issued around safety procedures to ensure timely reporting to emergency services when such incidents occur," Mr Jones said.
