$40K fine for fall prevention failure

An electrical company in Victoria has received a steep fine after it failed to provide fall protection for an apprentice who was working on a roof.

The company was sentenced in the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on 6 August after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide a workplace that was safe and without risks to health. A fine of $40,000 was imposed in addition to costs of $2268.

The incident leading to the fine occurred in 2024, when the company was engaged to install solar panels on the roof of a single-storey dwelling at Noble Park.

The court heard that in October of that year, a WorkSafe inspector attended the workplace and observed a first-year apprentice working on the roof without fall protection, close to 2.7 metres from the ground.

The company’s sole director, who was present, told the inspector he had directed the apprentice to work on the roof, knowing there was no fall protection in place.

During the inspection, the director prepared a safe work method statement (SWMS) and installed a guardrail.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said the penalty sent a clear message to employers who ignored their health and safety obligations — even if no accident had occurred.

“Some employers seem to think they can get away with taking dangerous shortcuts if no one gets hurt, but this sends a clear message that WorkSafe won’t wait for a worker to fall before taking strong enforcement action,” Jenkin said.

“Everybody knows working at heights means an appropriate passive fall prevention device, such as a guard rail or harnesses, have to be put in place and there’s no excuse for ignoring the laws in place to protect workers.”

For more information about fall prevention on worksites, visit: worksafe.vic.gov.au/fall-prevention.

Image credit: iStock.com/Kirillm