“Candidate engineer” testifies that he did not know any person who designed and approved the collapsed temporary structure at Grayston bridge
Oliver Aadnesgaard, an employee of Murray & Roberts (M&R) who worked as an assistant to construction manager during the collapse of the temporary works structure during the construction of Grayston Drive Pedestrian and cyclist bridge testified that he did know of any person who designed, and approved the temporary works that collapsed.
Aadnesgaard was a candidate engineer during the collapse of the temporary work structure. He told the commission that on the night before the collapse of the temporary work structure, they were working on site to load the girder. He said although he did not know the person who approved the drawings of the temporary structure, he was in the affirmation that these were approved. He said the drawings were supplied by FormScaff.
During the night before the collapse parts of M1 freeway were closed.
Asked by Grayston Bridge collapse inquiry Commissioner, Phumi Maphaha on who approved/authorised that the road be opened, Aadnesgaard declined to answer telling the Commissioner that he would not answer the question in case he may incriminate himself.
Although Aadnesgaard answered some of the questions posed to him he declined to answer some questions arguing that he may incriminate himself.
Most of the questions posed to Aadnesgaard related to design, inspection and approvals.
Asked what caused the collapse he said he: “I do not know”. He further told the inquiry that he did all he could by taking necessary steps to prevent the collapse. Regarding any inspections conducted on the day of the collapse, he said he did not recall if ever there was any inspection.
The Section 32 hearing currently underway was set up by the Department of Labour to investigate the 14 October 2015 incident which happened at approximately 15:25 and led to the death of two people; injury to 19 persons.
The Grayston Drive Pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse Inquiry seeks to investigate any contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and its regulations which led to the uncontrolled collapse of the structure.
Aadnesgaard told the inquiry that there was no hint that the structure would collapse nor did he receive any report of such a risk.
The inquiry continues tomorrow. For this week it will conclude its work on Thursday before resuming on 9 July 2018.
