The Case

WorkSafe Vic v Electribuild Pty Ltd (2024)

Electribuild Pty Ltd (Electribuild) operates a commercial solar photovoltaic installer business in Keysborough, Victoria.

On or about 7 December 2022, Electribuild was engaged by the homeowners of a residential building in Torquay, Victoria to install solar panels onto the roof of the building.

On 15 December 2022, WorkSafe inspectors attended the worksite after receiving a call to the WorkSafe advisory line informing them that persons were working on a roof without adequate fall protection.

Upon arrival, the inspectors observed three workers installing solar panels at a height of about 2 metres, working on the west-side of the second-story roof, without any guard railing in place. It was noted that one worker was wearing a harness that was not attached to a secure anchor point. The garage roof was measured at 3.15 metres, which meant that the workers on the second-story roof were at risk of falling about 5 metres.