Dreamworld workers felt 'bullied' into keeping quiet about safety concerns, union claims

Safety and maintenance concerns had plagued Dreamworld for months leading to the loss of four lives at the Gold Coast park on Tuesday, workers have claimed.

Two women, 42-year-old Cindy Low and 32-year-old Kate Goodchild, died in Tuesday's horror accident, along with Ms Goodchild's brother Luke Dorsett, 35, and his partner Roozbeh Araghi, 38, when a raft they were in on the Thunder River Rapids Ride flipped backwards.

A dossier is reportedly being finalised today by the the Australian Workers’ Union accounting “substantial” incidents and safety complaints from the popular park dating back to April last year.

It is believed park staff expressed ongoing concerns of the maintenance and operation of equipment to management, fearing they or tourists could be hurt due to ongoing safety issues.

The AWU claims workers were intimidated or bullied if they raised concerns too often, The Courier-Mail reported.

AWU secretary Ben Swan said it was time industrial manslaughter should be introduced as a Queensland law in light of the park tragedy.

It is believed the union tried to resolve ongoing issues relating to Dreamworld's safety with the park's management, Ardent Leisure, but was met with backlash.

“We did hold some very grave concerns about safety of equipment and the operation of equipment and as (of) about three weeks ago we were still raising issues with the company about safety,” Mr Swan told The Courier-Mail.

The union was concerned park staff feared appropriate procedures not were followed following safety incidents in the past.

However, Dreamworld management is adamant it complied with safety requirements ahead of the tragedy.

"Park safety is our priority. Dreamworld would like to assure the public and our guests that at the time of the incident the park was fully compliant with all required safety certifications," Dreamworld said in the statement issued on Wednesday night.

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Recent testing included a mechanical and structural inspection by external engineering firm DRA Safety Specialists, with a report conducted on September 29.

"Annual audits have resulted in continuous improvement in the management of safety," DRA managing director David Randall said in the statement on Wednesday.

The company said safety at the park was continually being improved and staff were regularly trained.

Dreamworld will reopen on Friday with a memorial day as a mark of respect to the four people who lost their lives on one of the theme park's most popular rides.

Only smaller rides will operate on Friday, Dreamworld said in a statement which also said the Thunder River Rapids Ride had passed its maintenance testing four weeks ago.

The Gold Coast park's operators Ardent Leisure said Red Cross volunteers and local religious leaders on Friday will attend what they hope is the start of the healing process.

A private ceremony also be held on Friday for staff, friends and emergency services involved in the accident.

The ASX-listed company is expected to face tough shareholder questions at its annual general meeting in Sydney today.

Outgoing chairman Neil Balnaves told Fairfax Media on Wednesday he was "deeply affected by the tragedy and will address it at the meeting to all shareholders".

Ardent Leisure also owns Dreamworld's neighbouring WhiteWater World park.

"In support of the guests and staff present at the time, we have established a program of grief counselling with Queensland Health and the Australian Red Cross," Ardent Leisure said.

The park was closed on Wednesday and will again be shut on Thursday before reopening for the memorial day on Friday at 11am with entry proceeds going to the Red Cross.

The entrance to the park has become a makeshift shrine, with locals dropping off flowers and wreaths in memory of the four tourists who lost their lives.