The man was reportedly crushed by a steel beam that fell from a crane yesterday.

Martin O'Malley, state secretary of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, said the beam was being lifted with soft slings and the sling broke.

He said the workers had been instructed to use the slings instead of chains so the beams would not be scratched, avoiding the need for rework.

However, he had been banning the use of soft slings on worksites for about 30 years.

Police were called to the site at Lonsdale, in Adelaide's south, at 2.55pm. A spokeswoman said police would prepare a report for the coroner, and SafeWork SA had been advised.

Project director Duncan Whitfield said the consortium was still "ascertaining the circumstances" surrounding the incident.

The plant, which will have a capacity to produce 100GL a year, is due to begin operating by the end of the year.

source: the australian