Vic firms face penalties for neglecting fall hazards

Victoria’s workplace safety watchdog has announced that it has initiated legal action against 34 businesses for noncompliance with height safety regulations in the first six months of 2025, as efforts to avert catastrophic falls persist.

In addition, WorkSafe has achieved favorable legal outcomes against 28 more duty holders regarding fall hazards, leading to court fines, settlements, and costs exceeding $2.54 million between January and June of this year.

According to the safety regulator, this stands in stark contrast to the 33 duty holders who were charged and the 36 who faced prosecution by WorkSafe over fall risks, culminating in fines, undertakings, and costs amounting to $1.65 million for the full year of 2024.

Worksafe data reveals that between January and June this year, there have been 683 WorkCover claims filed as a consequence of falls from heights, with 174 of the injured individuals, representing a quarter, employed in the construction sector.

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