Two family owned businesses and their respective directors have been committed to stand trial following a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) investigation into the death of a 62 year old roofer.
These are Queensland's first category 1 prosecutions under work safety laws, with the companies, if found guilty of the alleged offences, facing maximum fines of $3 million, and the two directors fined up to $600,000 each and facing maximum gaol terms of five years.
The defendants, the PCBUs (in this instance the Directors) and registered companies have been charged for contravening Section 19 (2) and/or s20 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
The deceased worker, who only started the job four days earlier, fell almost six metres to his death while working on the edge of a roof without protection. The worker was one of five roofers working on an industrial shed at Lake Macdonald in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland on 29 July 2014 when he fell.
The shed was part of a larger complex being refurbished by a building business that contracted a roofing business to fit roof sheeting.
An indictment relating to four separate complaints under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 was presented at the Maroochydore District Court on 8 February 2017 against the defendants, who will stand trial in the Brisbane District Court. The matter is due for mention on 19 April 2017.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland head Dr Simon Blackwood said falls from heights is a serious issue in most industries, particularly construction.
“The roofing/reroofing trade is certainly one where things can go wrong at height. In this case, the court will hear evidence that appropriate safety equipment was available and on site.” Said Dr Blackwood.
This workplace death was preventable. What are you doing as a business owner or manager to prevent your workers taking unnecessary risks? Don’t risk prosecution and non-compliance, contact ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132 or email us at enquiries@isosafe.com.au.