A 26-year-old New Zealand man is in stable but critical condition in hospital after being struck by a flailing hose at a tunnel project in Perth.
Josh Butterworth's safety helmet didn't protect him from the hose, which disconnected from a pipe and lashed him in the face as he worked on the Forrestfield-Perth Airport rail link project on Saturday.
His employer, Salini-Impregilo NRW, said Mr Butterworth had undergone surgery for his injuries.
SINRW's project director Richard Graham said the incident was being investigated by WorkSafe and the company was working closely with them.
On-site counselling has been provided to the workers who were nearby when the accident occurred and group counselling was also offered to all employees on site, Mr Graham added.
It was a major operation to extract Mr Butterworth from his underground position at the Airport Central Station site, requiring a crane and dozens of emergency workers.
Minister for Commerce and Industrial Relations Bill Johnston said the accident was seriously concerning and urged the employer to provide a safe work environment.
Someone needed to be brought to account, he said.
"The company needs to explain how this was able to happen," Mr Johnston told reporters on Monday.
The CFMEU said supervisors had told workers not to speak with the union after the accident.
"Nobody should be told not to speak to the union - it's against the law," Mr Johnston said.
CFMEU state secretary Mick Buchan said other serious incidents at the project included a worker suffering an electric shock when a crane hit power lines and those who had previously raised concerns about safety at the project had faced "draconian treatment".
Mr Johnston confirmed a range of complaints had been raised.
"Action is continuing and I urge WorkSafe and other relevant authorities to comprehensively investigate these matters," he said.
The $1.86 billion state and federal government-funded project is a joint venture between Salini Impregilo and NRW Holdings and is due to be completed in 2020.
Tunnel boring was halted for two months earlier this year when "ground disturbances" were reported on Perth Airport land.
