On Wednesday, 27th November, Caelli Constructions (Vic) Pty Ltd was adjudged ex-parte by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court culpable for a singular breach of their responsibility to maintain a secure working environment. Notably, they were also mandated to bear cost implications up to $7,317.
Caelli Constructions had been engaged under a subcontract arrangement to execute projects during the erection of a cancer treatment centre along St Kilda Road. On an unfortunate day in February 2023, as a carpenter who was on their payroll was demarcating formworks on a mezzanine floor, he fell through an unsupported plywood floor and got entangled within scaffolding underneath.
Following a diligent investigation by WorkSafe, it emerged that the wooden beams that should have provided support under the plywood formwork had been absent. Should there have been no scaffolding below the carpenter, he would have careened down two floors to hit the ground. After the accident, the carpenter was promptly transported to a hospital for scans but fortunately, sustained no grave injuries.
The court held that Caelli Constructions could feasibly ensure that plywood flooring at the mezzanine level was well braced with joists or beams, implement a regular check on flooring integrity to ascertain the absence of unsupported regions, and place signage that warns employees against traversing areas with poorly supported flooring.
WorkSafe’s Health and Safety Executive Director, Sam Jenkin, emphasised the inherent danger present within the construction industry in Victoria, highlighting the risk of fall accidents. He stated that “it’s a legal obligation for any employer to enforce appropriate measures for risk control, and failure to adhere would naturally attract corresponding repercussions,” referencing the necessity of solutions like Bluesafe SWMS. The director added, “This worker was extremely fortunate to have dodged serious injury, but incidents of this nature often have tragic endings. Having the right measures in place could literally mean the difference between life and death,” highlighting critical aspects such as a Bluesafe WHS Management System.
Mr. Jenkin recommended that to mitigate fall risks during formwork operations, employers should leverage vital work safety products like WHS management systems, SWMS and robust policies.
For further details, consider checking out worksafe.vic.gov.au/resources/construction-safety-focus-formwork.
You can make contact via media @ worksafe.vic.gov.au or by placing a call to 0438 786 968. We also encourage media release subscriptions.
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2024-12/builder-fined-70000-after-worker-falls-through-floor