Construction company fined for unsafe scaffolding

[Newshound]

Date of Outcome: 17/09/2015

Outcome: "Garijon Pty Ltd (“the defendant”) is a company involved in the construction of domestic dwellings.

A WorkSafe inspector attended a domestic building site (workplace) where he observed a contractor working on the extreme edge of the roof of the house frame at a height of approximately 6 metres. There was a timber parapet wall against this edge which was approximately 350-400 mm high.

At the rear of the building was an incomplete scaffold at a height of approximately 5 metres. The scaffold was incomplete because its top level was one metre below the roof level, the scaffold was missing planks and handrails and it was not affixed to the building. This scaffold was the only means of exiting the roof. There was a risk of serious injury or death in the event of employees or contractors falling from the roof.

The Inspector issued a number of notices to Garijon prohibiting further roofing work and requiring development of a safe work method statement (SWMS). In response to the notices, Garijon arranged for the scaffold at the rear of the dwelling to be completed, secured and extended past the roofline, handrails installed around the remaining roof perimeter and a SWMS developed for high risk construction work on the roof of the dwelling. "

Court: Magistrates' Court

Fine: $5,000.00

Costs: $3,317.00

Published: 22/09/2015

Category: Failure to provide a safe system of work; Falls/work at height offences

Appeal: No

Source: Worksafe Vic