VIC building company sentenced following deadly fall

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. This case highlights ongoing risk management challenges facing the construction industry across Victoria.

Court Outcome and Charges

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. Proper building maintenance management practices could have prevented this tragedy.

The court was informed that the family-run business was in the process of constructing ten commercial units in Cheltenham. Effective safety management on multi-unit projects remains critical throughout Australia's construction sector.

What Happened During the Incident

A 69-year-old man, who was a relative, assisted in installing flooring and timber guard railing on the mezzanine levels of the units. Access to these elevated work areas required careful risk management, which was clearly lacking.

"To access these areas, he and others used unsecured ladders resting against the steel frames of the mezzanine levels," WorkSafe said. This access method presented a significant fall risk that the business failed to address.

Workers performed their tasks while positioned on ladders or near the unguarded edges of the mezzanine levels. Unprotected edges pose one of the most common health and safety hazards on active building sites.

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, a devastating reminder of why fall prevention deserves priority in every site management plan.

Why Fall Risk Management Matters in Construction

Falls from height remain among the leading causes of workplace fatalities within the construction industry. Sound safety management systems, including secured ladder use and edge protection, reduce this risk substantially.

Businesses operating in high-risk sectors must prioritize:

• Secure access equipment instead of unsecured ladders
• Guardrails and edge protection at height
• Regular safety audits of mezzanine and elevated work zones
• Clear management accountability for site safety compliance

These measures form the backbone of responsible workplace health management across the building industry.

Related Reading

For more on similar incidents affecting the sector, read about the Vic building company charged after a worker's fatal fall, or explore the case of the Shepparton company sentenced following a blast that injured six employees. Another relevant case involves a VIC metal company facing charges following a fatal crushing incident.

Businesses seeking to strengthen their safety management framework may also benefit from reviewing resources such as a Yurt Building SWMS or a Company Vehicle Policy to support broader compliance obligations.

Find out more here.