SA builder receives expiation notice for high risk work without licence

SA Builder Receives Expiation Notice for High Risk Work Without Licence

A residential builder in South Australia has recently received an expiation notice from SafeWork SA for directing a worker to modify scaffold without holding the relevant high risk work licence. This case highlights ongoing industry concerns around unlicensed high risk work and reinforces why safety compliance remains critical for every contractor operating on Australian building sites.

On 30 March 2022, the builder was fined $2,220 by SafeWork SA following the incident.

What Happened on Site

"The modular scaffold on site had a 4.9 metre high working platform which requires a person to hold at least a basic scaffold high risk work licence," SafeWork SA said.

SafeWork SA reminds builders across the industry to ensure that high risk work is performed only by a competent, appropriately licensed person. Scaffold, like crane operation and other plant-related tasks, sits firmly within the category of hazardous work regulated under strict licensing requirements.

SafeWork SA's Response

"The modular scaffold had originally been built by a high risk work licence holder, so there was no excuse for alteration work to be undertaken by an unlicenced worker," SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell said.

"This incident clearly demonstrates that unauthorised alteration to a scaffold is dangerous and SafeWork SA will not hesitate to take action against businesses that direct or allow high risk work to be undertaken by unlicensed workers," said Mr Campbell.

Why Licensing Matters for High Risk Work

Scaffold alteration is far from the only hazardous task requiring formal certification. Crane operation, electrical work, and other plant-related duties across construction and manufacturing industries all demand verified competency before any worker steps onto site.

Industry regulators consistently emphasise that safety outcomes improve when contractors verify licensing before assigning high risk duties. Failing to check credentials exposes both workers and businesses to serious health and safety risks, alongside financial penalties.

Key considerations for contractors managing high risk work include:

• Confirming licence validity before allowing scaffold, crane, or electrical work to proceed
• Ensuring supervisors understand which tasks fall under high risk work licensing rules
• Maintaining records of licensed personnel across all plant and equipment operations
• Reviewing high risk work licence reference lists regularly to stay current with industry requirements

Building a Safer Industry Culture

This case reinforces a broader industry message: unlicensed high risk work creates unnecessary danger for everyone on site. Whether the task involves scaffold, crane operation, or electrical installation, health and safety obligations apply equally across every trade.

Businesses seeking to strengthen their compliance approach can benefit from a documented high risk work plan alongside a clear high-risk construction work policy. These resources help contractors demonstrate due diligence and support safer outcomes across the industry.

For further guidance on managing hazardous construction tasks, see our related article on safety in high-risk construction work in Australia, or explore our full range of high risk and incident management plans.

Original source: SafeWork SA website.