WA landscaping firm fined after worker falls through roof

A landscaping firm based in Western Australia has been penalised with a fine of $175,000 and instructed to cover costs amounting to $6,000 after a worker sustained serious injuries in an incident.

The incident happened in July 2022 while the worker was cleaning roof gutters. The roof gave way, causing him to plunge through it from a height of about 2.5 meters.

The company was recently fined by the Bunbury Magistrates Court after it acknowledged its guilt in failing to create and maintain a safe work environment, which caused serious injury to an employee.

Sally North, the WorkSafe Commissioner, stated that this unfortunate incident underscores the vital importance of implementing stringent measures to lower or completely remove the risk of falls from heights.

Ms. North said a Code of Practice for the Prevention of Falls at Workplaces has been in place in Western Australia since 2004, with an updated version issued in 2022.

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