NSW companies fined $1.05 million for roofer’s electrocution

Two NSW companies have been fined a total of $1.05 million after a worker was electrocuted more than three years ago.

The two, a construction company and a roofing company, were recently fined $600,000 and $450,000, respectively after pleading guilty in the NSW District Court.

SafeWork Executive Director Compliance & Dispute Resolution Matthew Press said falls from height were the top cause of construction deaths, followed by electrocution.

“On the 11 February 2019, two labourers were removing steel handrails from the roof of a warehouse in Moorebank when a metal handrail contacted high voltage power lines nearby,” Mr Press said.

“The 25-year-old man holding the handrail fell onto his back, and his workmate ran to his aid and tried to kick the handrail out of his hands.

“The 25-year-old sadly died on the roof, and the other worker suffered serious burns to his leg

For more information, visit the SafeWork NSW website.