The Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court unilaterally sentenced City Way Demolition Pty Ltd after finding the company guilty of neglecting to provide a safe and health risk-free workplace. Additionally, they fell short in giving mandatory information and documents to WorkSafe without a plausible excuse. The business was instructed to cover legal costs amounting to $7,135.
Testimonies recorded that during October 2022, three City Way labourers initiated demolition work on a single storey building. This included manually removing roof tiles. Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least a couple of workers on the rooftop, more than two meters above ground, with disturbingly no fall protection measures in place.
Regrettably, an employee fell through a fibreglass sheet on the garage roof resulting in severe vertebrae fractures, prohibiting him from resuming work – a regrettable incident that might have been avoided with utilisation of WHS management systems.
CLIckable link here: Bluesafe WHS Management System.
The investigation led by WorkSafe revealed that City way could’ve reasonably diminished or even eradicated health and safety threats by adopting passive fall prevention tools, a work position arrangement or a fall arrest system such as SWMS.
Worryingly, post-incident, City Way failed to heed a notice issued by WorkSafe necessitating submission of pertinent information and documents by March end 2023. A clear indication of defiance towards inclusion of safety measures like implementation of WHS management systems or SWMS in favor of work safety.
Sam Jenkin, WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety, expressed disheartenment over recurring incidents despite the prevalence of height-related risks in this line of work. Mentioned he: “Despite the well-defined regulations, there is abundant guidance, and an alarmingly high count of preventable injuries and fatalities. Astonishingly, the company decided to ignore fall safety precautions entirely.”
“The flagrant negligence of safety—manifested in their failure to establish any fall protection and then refusing cooperation with WorkSafe’s inquiry—is beyond disappointing,” added Jenkin.
Employers should make every effort to avoid falls from height by implementing top-tier measures from among the five levels provided in the hierarchy of control.
For media queries:
Email: media @ worksafe.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0438 786 968
Subscribe here for media releases: [Subscribe link]
Original article link: https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/news/2025-03/company-fined-40000-after-workers-fall-through-skylight