AG Coombs has been presented with the Best Solution to a Specific Workplace Health and Safety Issue Award at this year's Victorian WorkCover Authority Health and Safety Awards.
The single biggest safety risk identified in the construction of many high-rise buildings is the installation of vertical services risers, with the potential for falls from height and exposure to materials/debris falling from above. Building services specialist AG Coombs has pioneered the introduction of large-sale prefabricated services risers in Australia.
The winning entry referenced the significant prefabrication works undertaken at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity; a complex new university building in Melbourne.
Principal contractor Brookfield Multiplex completed the $210 million PDI facility on behalf of the University of Melbourne.
The Doherty rises 14 levels and provides 26,000 square metres of space including specialised laboratories, integrated teaching facilities, a 200 seat auditorium, office, and support areas. The state-of-the-art bio-medical institute accommodates around 700 expert scientists, researchers, clinicians, academics, staff and students.
Construction spanned two years and was highly technical in nature. AG Coombs was responsible for the installation of mechanical services, air conditioning and ventilation systems and installed, what was at the time, the largest prefabricated services riser in Australia.
The Doherty risers entailed the off-site manufacture of 18 three-storey high sections containing air conditioning and ventilation ductwork, and pipework. These were transported to site and crane lifted into place to make up the 21-metre wide, three metre deep and 10-storey high services riser.
This innovation resulted in the elimination of a very significant number of hours of complicateed on-site work. The alternative would have been to construct the services one component at a time in the large vertical shaft with the attendant working-at-height risks and the related slip-trip-fall hazards associated with the manual handling of materials prior to installation.
AG Coombs is proud to win this recognition. This new approach to services installation has significantly reduced construction risk on this landmark project and is set to become an industry standard in Australia.