VIC building company sentenced following deadly fall

A construction firm has been found guilty and ordered to pay a fine of $270,000 following a man's fatal fall of over four meters in February 2022.

Last week, the Melbourne County Court convicted the company after it admitted guilt to one charge related to not guaranteeing that a workplace it managed or controlled was safe and free from health risks.

The court was informed that the family-run business was in the process of constructing ten commercial units in Cheltenham.

A 69-year-old man, who was a relative, was assisting in the installation of flooring and timber guard railing on the mezzanine levels of the units.

“To access these areas, he and others used unsecured ladders resting against the steel frames of the mezzanine levels,” WorkSafe said.

They performed their tasks while positioned on ladders or in close proximity to the unguarded edges of the mezzanine levels.

While the man was descending an unstable ladder, it shifted, resulting in him plummeting over four meters to the ground. He passed away at the scene.

Find out more here.