Sam Beveridge died on the project in 2011, 17 months after senior John Holland executive Stephen Sasse wrote a confidential memo – obtained by The Australian – to management, in which he warned the project was “operating independently and in contempt of all our OHS [occupational health and safety] governance systems.”

“In my seven years with John Holland, I’ve never seen any project or management team that was so cavalier about the company’s OHS system, principles and values and I have grave doubts about the management team’s capability in safety,” Sasse reportedly wrote to John Holland management on May 24, 2010.

Sasse went on to say that two audits were carried out on the John Holland/Thiess joint venture project but he reportedly wrote that while the second audit saw a “limited level” of improvement, it was “not, in my view, sufficient to alleviate our concerns”

The release of the memo prompted the CFMEU to call for full inquiries into John Holland’s suitability to hold a Comcare licence, as well as into safety on every one of its building sites.

CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan said the revelations regarding “the deplorable safety standards on the Brisbane Airport Link site” required a thorough investigation by all the regulatory authorities.

“John Holland is not some ‘Johnny come lately’ in the industry – they are a major established company,” he said.

“One of their own executives at the time, Stephen Sasse, expressed concerns in writing to them about the unsafe conditions on the site and his concerns were not addressed.

“It’s a disgrace that senior management of a company like Holland can behave in this way and it’s in poor taste for them to say that safety is a priority for them in light of the tragic events on that job.”

Following the release of the memo, John Holland issued a statement saying safety remained its top priority.

It added that the company regretted the death of Beveridge and was committed to achieving safe and healthy workplaces on all its projects.

In response to allegations that Sasse’s concerns were not addressed, a spokesperson for the company affirmed they were dealt with “appropriately”

“Safety audits are a regular occurrence on all our worksites and all safety-related information that is provided to John Holland and its directors is acted upon appropriately,” the spokesperson explained.

“Accordingly, the memo of 24 May 2010 was responded to appropriately by the board and John Holland.

“John Holland deeply regrets the tragedy of Mr Beveridge’s fatal injury.

“As a Comcare investigation is underway into that matter, John Holland cannot comment further.”

It is understood Comcare intends to launch legal action against John Holland in the Federal Court in relation to the death of Beveridge, as well as over a separate incident in which a worker was injured on the Airport Link project.