Case Law - Health & Safety Handbook (Page 13)

Case Law

$1 million fine for glazing company for failing to heed advice

WGA Pty Ltd contracted a 49-year-old man to work on installations at a residential apartment construction site. He was installing a piece of aluminium outside the window when the power generated by nearby power lines jumped to the metal.

Inexperienced worker taken to hospital

On 23 March 2016, Taronga Arch Pty Ltd, a housing construction company was engaged to undertake roofing works on a community hall. A first-year apprentice employed by the company was tasked with assisting with the installation of roofing materials at a height of 3 metres.

Eye injury for unsupervised young worker

On 10 March 2015, an apprentice employed by building company Nepean Builders Pty Ltd, was working at a building site in Somers, Victoria, trimming nails with a reciprocating saw when part of a nail struck him in the left eye.

Temporary handrail provided inadequate protection

Karimbla Construction Services (Karimbla) was the principal contractor on a residential building construction site. A concrete worker was working on site.

Incorrectly installed scaffolding causes fall

On 3 September 2015, a sub-contractor carpenter engaged by construction company Purity Developments Pty Ltd, was working at a development installing box gutters, fascia, guttering capping and flat roofs.

Failure to provide safe system of work to forklift loaders

On 4 April 2015, AGFAB Engineering Pty Ltd (the Company) – a general engineering, electrical, maintenance and project management company – was concluding work at a client’s site in Port Melbourne.

Lack of communication and action results in injury to contractor

Metricon Homes Pty Ltd (the Company), a home-building company, was the principal contractor in the construction of a home in Bannockburn, Victoria. The Company engaged a roofing contractor for the supply and laying of tiles, who then engaged a subcontractor to tile the roof.

All reasonable steps not taken to prevent electrocution

Construction work was performed on the roof of a retirement home. Mr Gumbleton, who was a labourer, and Mr Stadler (a licensed plumber) were working in a manhole in the roof space.

Failing to adequately guard a machine results in worker injury

Pinnacle Bakery & Integrated Ingredients Pty Ltd (the Company) manufactures and distributes bakery products across Australia. One of its manufacturing plants contained an item of plant called the ‘Small Rademaker Depositor Machine’.

Company pleads guilty to breaching its primary duty after trench collapse

Bustin’ Free Earthworks Pty Ltd (Company) was a small, family building business that specialised in earthworks. At the time of the incident, the Company was engaged in excavation and sewerage installation.

Risk of fall should have been foreseen

Schaefer Systems International (Company) provides industrial storage systems. The company was engaged by a client to extend the existing industrial storage system by adding a third tier level.

Truck driver hit by object falling from forklift

Mr Lever worked for Parry Bros as a semi-trailer driver and made deliveries to several depots. The incident occurred at the Beresfield depot which was owned and operated by Tamex Transport Services (Tamex).

Finger injury caused by inadequate machine guarding

Popina, a manufacturer and supplier of cereal and other snacks, had a plant called the ‘4 Screw Mixer’. This machine contained four rotating screw augers inside a hopper, which mixes wet product and feeds it onto a conveyor leading to the oven.

Worker's leg amputated in skid steer accident

In March 2015, a demolition company called PPK Demolition was completing demolition work at a residence

$80,000 fine after worker falls into stairwell void

In May 2011, the construction company ABD Group was the principal contractor for building an apartment. At the time, there were various carpenters employed by a sub-contractor undertaking carpentry works, specifically installing particle flooring to joists.