West Gate - 40 years later
15 October, 2010
The West Gate Bridge disaster resulted in the single largest loss of life at an Australian workplace. Tragically, 35 workers were killed, and many others injured in what the Royal Commission referred to as an ‘unnecessary loss of life’.
West Gate survivor, Pat Preston, was 29 years old at the time and worked as a crane operator on the bridge. Witnessing the deaths of some his co-workers, Pat was only a few metres away from the hoist cage when the bridge collapsed.
On the 40th anniversary of the disaster - Pat speaks with Finian Scallan about the lead up to the accident, how safety concerns were dealt with prior to, and after the collapse - the findings of the Royal Commission, the development of ongoing consultation with workers and the need for decent regulation.
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