Tradie and beloved father-of-three DIES after working in intense heat with temperatures soaring to over 36C

A construction worker and father-of-three died after “showing signs of heat stress” after leaving a Queensland construction site in sweltering conditions, a union has claimed.

Daniel Talolua Sa’u died on December 28, just hours after leaving the Cross River Rail project site in Salisbury, south Brisbane, around 1pm.

Police found the young father dead in his car on Colebrook Avenue in Moorooka – less than five kilometers from the work site – about 3.30pm.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, temperatures in Salisbury rose to a sweltering 36.1 degrees Celsius on December 28.

Authorities are still determining the cause of the tradie’s death, but Construction, Forestry and Maritime Workers Union State Secretary Michael Ravbar said his death was likely due to “severe heat stress.”

“One worker – a young father – tragically died in late December after showing signs of severe heat stress while working at a Cross River Rail site in Salisbury,” Mr Ravbar said.

Mr Ravbar added that Cross River Rail employees had had to work through “oppressive heat and humidity” over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The union also claimed several workers had been hospitalized after suffering heat stress in recent weeks, prompting staff to leave the $6.3 billion rail project on Thursday over health and safety concerns.

Police said Mr Sa’u’s exact cause of death was still under investigation and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

Occupational Health and Safety Queensland is also investigating the tragedy and will “determine whether work-related factors contributed to the death”.

Daniel Talolua Sa’u died on December 28, just hours after leaving the Cross River Rail project site in Salisbury, south Brisbane, at around 1pm (photo, illustration of the Cross River Rail project’s upgraded Salisbury Station )

A statement from a spokesperson for the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority explained that project sites were subject to a strict thermal management policy, while advice had been provided to Mr Sa’u’s colleagues.

“The heat is managed on site daily through task cards and safe work practices statements, and shaded areas, air-conditioned cribs, chilled water and heat monitors are available,” the statement said.

“Given the recent wave of warm weather, additional emphasis is being placed on thermal management activities.”

Heat management activities include safety officers monitoring sites to ensure they meet acceptable levels, and ‘toolbox talks’ to remind workers to take breaks and rehydrate.

The statement added that ambulances were called when workers reported heat-related symptoms – with patients treated on site by paramedics or taken to hospital for further assessment ‘in accordance with heat management policy’.

Mr Sa’u’s grief-stricken family paid moving tribute to the father of three young girls, describing him as an “extraordinary man”.

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Workers Union State Secretary Michael Ravbar (pictured) said Mr Sa’u had suffered from ‘severe heat stress’ on the day he died

a GofundMestarted by Eden Mataito, revealed that Mr Sa’u was on his way to his family home in Zillmere when he died.

“Our world was changed forever when we suddenly lost Daniel Talolua Sa’u as he headed home to his wife and daughters after finishing work,” Mataito wrote.

“This is an unimaginable loss and the pain of that afternoon leaves us all speechless and in disbelief.

“Daniel was a devoted husband to his wife and a loving father to his three young girls. He was a great provider, a strong leader for his family and a very hard worker.”

At the time of publication, the fundraiser has received 100 donations totaling $7,055 and the goal is to raise $20,000.

Salisbury Station is one of a number of stations on the Beenleigh line being upgraded as part of the $6.3 billion Cross River Rail project.