ADCO enters $850,000 safety undertaking after Kew centre collapse
10 Mar 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: WorkSafe VIC
ADCO Group Pty Ltd has entered into an enforceable undertaking worth an estimated $850,000 after a structural steel failure caused part of the Kew Recreational Centre to collapse. No one was on site when the collapse occurred in October 2022.
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday 5 March that ADCO had entered into the two-year undertaking while facing one charge of failing to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that a workplace under its management or control was safe and without risks to health. WorkSafe can reinstate the charges if the undertaking is breached or withdrawn.
As principal contractor, ADCO was responsible for the fabrication, supply and erection of structural steel to meet design drawings and fabrication requirements. In December 2021, it received quality assurance documents for structural steelwork known as the GT1 truss, which had been fabricated by a subcontracted company in China.
WorkSafe alleges ADCO failed to reduce health and safety risks by ensuring a competent person reviewed the documents and provided written verification before the truss was erected.
A welded connection on the GT1 truss failed in October 2022, bringing down part of the partially erected centre. Investigators found the truss did not meet the design drawings and fabrication requirements. Anyone near the unstable structure after its erection in February 2022 had been at risk of serious injury or death.
WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin described the length of time that people were exposed to the risk as deeply concerning. “It is essential that workplaces using imported steel have robust quality assurance systems in place to ensure the steelwork meets design requirements and industry standards so that people are protected from the risk of structural failure or collapse.”
Jenkin said the undertaking would see ADCO contribute to the broader construction industry over two years by addressing safety gaps through current information, research, standards and training to help prevent similar incidents.
“This will be a good outcome for the Victorian community,” Jenkin said.
Colab Building Tech Pty Ltd, the subcontractor that engaged the company responsible for fabricating the GT1 truss, is also facing charges over the incident.
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