The Case

WorkSafe Victoria v Watertank Solutions Victoria Pty Ltd (2024)

Two employees of a water tank installation, repair and servicing business were repairing a water tank that sat about 2 metres in the ground. The roof covering the tank was a further 3 metres above the ground.

One of the workers was on the roof and the other stood on the edge of the open tank. While both workers were removing the metal sheets from the tank, they became unstable and both workers fell. The worker on the roof sustained a shoulder injury, while the other worker fell into the tank and suffered head and neck injuries, which resulted in paraplegia.