WA company fined after worker suffers fall from height injuries

A WA building company has been fined $45,000 after a worker fell about three metres through a void and sustained multiple injuries three years ago.

The man was working at a Perth construction site in January 2019 when the incident occurred.

The company was fined at the Rockingham Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment for a person who was not their employee.

The company was also ordered to pay $5000 in costs following the incident.

WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said falls from height account for 14 percent of all work-related fatalities in the construction industry since 2012/13.

“The WHS regulations will, after a transition period, see increased safety requirements in workplaces in which high-risk construction work is taking place,” Mr Kavanagh said.

“Western Australia has had a Code of Practice for the Prevention of Falls at Workplaces since 2004, and this code provides practical guidance to effectively manage fall risks and should be followed in all workplaces where risk of falls is present.

For more information, go to the WorkSafe WA website.