$90,000 fine for fatal scaffolding fall: NSW

A building company has been fined $90,000 for breaching the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 after a worker suffered a fatal fall from scaffolding on a Lidcombe construction site.

Hadcon Constructions Pty Ltd was contracted to build a six-storey residential apartment at Lidcombe when the fatality occurred. Upon investigation, SafeWork NSW found the scaffolding had been altered since installation and was inadequately secured.

Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson, said his thoughts were with the worker’s family.

“This is a tragic incident and my thoughts are with the family. Incidents like this should not happen – everyone deserves to return home to their family at the end of the working day,” Mr Anderson said.

“When working from heights, safety measures and precautions must be strictly enforced, such as only allowing licensed scaffolders to erect, alter or dismantle scaffold.

“Far too often we see tradespeople who are not licensed scaffolders removing or altering parts of the scaffolding in the course of their work, compromising the integrity of the structure – this is how serious accidents can occur.”

The NSW Government recently launched the Speak Up, Save Lives app, which allows workers to anonymously submit dangerous activities on site directly to SafeWork NSW.

“The Speak Up, Save Lives App means workers can report issues before incidents occur. If you spot anything risky, play your part in protecting your own safety as well as that of your work mates by immediately reporting it to SafeWork.”

Following the NSW Government’s introduction of the strongest workplace legislation in the country earlier this month, anyone who puts workers’ lives at risk through unsafe work activities will receive heavy on-the-spot fines or potential jail time.

For more information on SafeWork’s operations and work health and safety advice, visitwww.safework.nsw.gov.au. Hadcon Constructions Pty Ltd has the right to appeal the decision.

Photo above: Scaffolding collapse at Macquarie Park last April/ ABC.