Carpentry firm fined after apprentice falls

August is Tradie Health Month

August marks Tradie Health Month, and WorkSafe Victoria is giving tradies free access to tools and resources needed to build physically and mentally safe work sites. This initiative supports businesses across construction and related trades in strengthening both wellbeing and workplace safety.

The WorkWell Toolkit offers a free online, step-by-step approach to promoting mental health and preventing mental injury. It provides practical support and information tailored to small and medium-size businesses looking to improve health outcomes for their teams.

The OHS Essentials program delivers a free workplace safety consultation service. An independent occupational health and safety expert can provide personalised OHS advice to help manage safety risks at your workplace, whether you operate on construction sites or in other hazardous industries.

Sign up to access these free online tools through the WorkWell Toolkit and OHS Essentials program. View the original article on the WorkSafe Victoria website for further details on eligibility and registration.

Carpentry Firm Fined After Apprentice Falls

Summary: A carpentry firm was fined $90,000 after an apprentice fell three metres through an uncovered stairwell void, suffering severe spinal and pelvic injuries. SafeWork SA found the company had failed to identify fall risks or install fall protection before starting work.

An apprentice carpenter fell over three metres from the first floor of a residential building onto concrete while undertaking wood framing work. The company had employed him for approximately nine months, and he had limited experience navigating hazardous conditions on-site.

How the Incident Occurred

The accident happened in December 2018, when the worker was unrolling building material while walking backwards and fell through an uncovered void where a stairwell was to be installed. This resulted in severe injuries to the worker's spine and pelvis, requiring hospitalisation and surgery.

SafeWork SA's Investigation Findings

SafeWork SA investigated the incident and identified that the risk of falls had not been assessed, and fall protection had not been installed before the task began. Such oversights represent a significant lapse in health and safety planning for any construction-related activity.

The company was convicted and fined $90,000 for failing to have safe work systems in place, exposing the apprentice to a risk of serious injury or death. This case echoes similar incidents, including a WA landscaping firm fined after a worker falls through a roof and a NSW roofing company fined after a worker falls, both highlighting recurring gaps in fall prevention across construction sites.

Why Fall Protection Matters in Construction

Falls remain among the leading causes of serious injury and death in construction work. Employers carry a legal duty to identify hazardous conditions, implement control measures, and ensure workers—especially apprentices—receive adequate supervision and training.

A comparable case involving a New Zealand roofing company fined after a teenage worker falls through a skylight reinforces this pattern; young or inexperienced workers frequently bear the brunt of inadequate safety planning.

Practical Steps to Prevent Similar Incidents

• Identify fall risks before work begins, including uncovered voids, open stairwells, and unprotected edges
• Install physical fall protection such as barriers, covers, or guardrails around hazardous openings
• Provide apprentices with close supervision and clear instructions when working near heights or voids
• Maintain documented safe work method statements for all construction tasks
• Review OHS procedures regularly to ensure compliance with current safety standards

Businesses can strengthen their fall prevention practices using resources such as the Falls Prevention Checklist, a Falls Management Plan, or a Falls Emergency Rescue Plan to guide site-specific procedures.

For carpentry-specific operations, a Carpentry on Construction SWMS Pack or individual Carpentry SWMS documents can help formalise safe work practices before tasks commence, reducing the likelihood of incidents like this one.

View the original article on SafeWork SA's website for complete details regarding the prosecution and penalty outcome.