$100K fine after construction worker falls around 3.8m

After a worker was injured in a fall from a 2-storey house under construction, a company has been fined $100,000. Having fallen around 3.8 metres, the incident occurred on 25 July 2022 at a construction site at Avalon Beach, New South Wales, where the worker was employed to undertake re-sheeting and cladding work.

A result of a prosecution by SafeWork NSW, the construction company plead guilty to an offence pursuant to section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 for failing to comply with its duty to workers under section 19(1) of the Act, and was convicted and fined in the District Court of NSW.

“Falls from heights are a primary cause of traumatic injuries and fatalities at NSW workplaces,” SafeWork NSW Commissioner Janet Schorer said. “SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workers are protected when working at heights.”

The full judgement can be read here, on NSW Caselaw website. The company has the right to appeal against its sentence.

There are a range of resources to help manage the risks of working from heights available here, on the SafeWork NSW website. Workers who have concerns about workplace health and safety can anonymously contact SafeWork on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website.

Image credit: iStock.com/batuhan toker. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.