A building and maintenance company has been fined $390,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall through a skylight void. SafeWork says preventing falls remains an area for action under its current regulatory priorities.
The incident occurred on 23 October 2023 when the worker fell about three metres through a skylight void from one level to another and sustained serious injuries.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with its health and safety duty to workers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. The Industrial Court of NSW imposed a $390,000 fine following the SafeWork prosecution.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said falls from heights are a major cause of traumatic injuries and fatalities in NSW workplaces and that preventing fall-related injuries is an area for action in SafeWork's regulatory priorities this year.
SafeWork also reminded businesses of their duty to ensure workers are protected where potential fall hazards and work at heights are involved. The regulator directs businesses and workers to resources covering the management of working-at-heights risks.
The company has the right to appeal against its sentence.
Official source: SafeWork NSW – News & Media Releases