Roofing company fined $300,000 after worker seriously injured
The following article is a news item provided for the benefit of the Workplace Health and Safety profession. Its content does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Institute of Health & Safety.
Date:
Wednesday, 22 February, 2023 - 12:00
Category:
Incidents & prosecutions
Location:
New South Wales
Parrish Group NSW has been fined $300,000 after a worker was seriously injured falling from a roof in Kembla Grange near Wollongong in March 2020.
The company was sentenced in the NSW District Court for failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers, said Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann.
“The 25-year-old was fitting guttering to the building when he stepped through a gap and fell about 6.8 metres to the concrete slab below,” Mann said.
“From March 2020 onwards, the company changed the way they installed guttering which meant workers left gaps along the length of the guttering where the sumps were to be installed.
“The changed method of work relied on workers maintaining awareness of the areas of unsupported guttering. A risk assessment would have identified and assessed the hazard of the inadequately supported areas.”
Mann said the court outcome demonstrates SafeWork NSW’s dedication to enforce the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and hold those who don’t follow the rules to account.
Parrish Group NSW Pty Ltd has a right to appeal the sentence.