THE union representing construction workers will stop work for a safety check on every major project in southeast Queensland after a man was killed at a worksite at the University of Queensland's St Lucia campus yesterday.

It came as deaths on construction sites across the state rocketed to 12 this year, up from eight deaths in 2010.

Site foreman Henrik Raja, 65, was crushed to death by a formwork shutter that dropped from a crane at 8.45am.

Work on the site stopped as about 50 shocked workmates freed Mr Raja from beneath the shutter and paramedics tried in vain to save his life.

Workmates said Mr Raja was close to retirement and had only recently returned to work after open-heart surgery.

CFMEU Queensland workplace health and safety co-ordinator Andrew Ramsay said workers would down tools for a "safety walk" tomorrow because safety problems were "just getting out of control".

"We're well on track for an average one (death) a week nationally, which is ridiculous," he said.

He attributed many of the safety issues to workers logging long hours and not enough safety checks.

Mr Raja, an industry veteran, was well-liked and respected by the team of 50 workers on site.

"He was firm but very fair and he was always thinking five steps ahead," worker Chris Haggart said.

"He'd been working on this site for about a year but there were some guys here who'd worked with him for 30 years or more. No one expected it; it's just awful, unbelievable."

Counselling was offered by Mates in Construction and the University of Queensland.

Senior deputy vice-chancellor Professor Michael Keniger expressed the university's sympathy to Mr Raja's family and colleagues.

Mr Raja's death came after workers on the Airport Link project stopped work, citing safety concerns, following the death of 40-year-old mechanical fitter Sam Beveridge on October 1, two days after he was struck by a falling beam in the tunnel at Lutwyche.

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland issued 22 "enforcement notices" to the Airport Link's principal contractor Thiess Pty Ltd and various subcontractors following a series of health and safety audits last month.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/foremans-death-prompts-safety-walk-out/story-fn6ck51p-1226181940550