Building site fall prompts $580,000 safety spend

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Two South Australian companies have agreed to make more than $580,000 in safety improvements after a worker was seriously injured in a fall from height at an Adelaide Hills building site.

SafeWork SA last month accepted Enforceable Undertakings (EU) from home builder AMS Built Pty Ltd and building products manufacturer and supplier Ruediger Constructions Pty Ltd.

The improvements agreed to in the Enforceable Undertakings will enhance safety at the companies involved, the construction industry as a whole and the broader community.

An EU is a written, legally binding commitment to implement effective work health and safety initiatives. These initiatives are designed to deliver tangible benefits for workers, industry, and the community as a whole and to resolve the issue that led to the EU.

The two EUs follow an April 2023 incident at an AMS Built double-storey residential construction site in Stirling where a Ruediger Constructions worker suffered serious injuries after falling 3.5 metres through an unguarded stair void onto the ground floor concrete slab.

The worker regained full work capacity in October 2023 and has since taken up a new role within the sector.

As the principal builder, AMS Built engaged Ruediger Constructions to provide first fix carpentry services for the residential construction project.

SafeWork SA was notified and issued an enforcement notice prohibiting work and access to the upper floor of the building.

An investigation was conducted by SafeWork SA where it was alleged that AMS Built and Ruediger Constructions committed Category 2 offences under the Work Health and Safety Act, 2012 (SA).

SafeWork SA alleged AMS Built failed to provide and maintain a safe work environment by failing to ensure the stair void was guarded prior to work being undertaken on the first floor.

It was alleged Ruediger Constructions failed to identify the hazard presented by working on the first floor of the site containing an unguarded stair void and failed to provide and maintain a safe system of work because it failed to ensure measures were in place to eliminate and/or minimise the identified risk.

The two companies applied to the Regulator to consider their application for an Enforceable Undertaking.

AMS Built and Ruediger Constructions understand the characterisation of an allegation that could be made with respect to the incident. The EU was accepted by the Regulator in August 2025.

AMS Built’s EU was accepted by SafeWork on 5 August 2025. It includes a total minimum spend of $207,233.

Initiatives include:

Developing a working from heights safety video and promoting it on social media via a paid advertising campaign.

Employing a WHS adviser/administrator to administer WHS functions and ensure compliance with relevant WHS legislation, regulations, and guidelines.

Hiring a new site co-ordinator to better manage operations and to attend to site safety requirements and co-ordination.

Purchasing a drone to conduct site safety overviews and assessments.

Ruediger Construction’s EU was also agreed to on 5 August and includes a total minimum spend on safety improvements of $373,120.

Initiatives include:

Purchasing a scissor lift, platform ladders and new harnesses to minimise the need for workers to work from A-frame ladders.

Employing a general WHS manager to administer WHS functions and ensure compliance with WHS legislation, regulations, and guidelines.

Conducting a company-wide safety training day with a focus on WHS in the residential construction industry in conjunction with AMS Built and its subcontractors to spread awareness of safe work practices.

The community aspect of the Ruediger Constructions EU includes a sponsored “Industry Safety Round” of football matches at Willaston Football Club during the Barossa Light & Gawler Association's 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Industry Safety Round guernseys will be worn by Willaston Football Club players during the round, from Under-13s up to the A-grade.

The guernseys will include workplace safety messaging and Industry Safety Round medals/trophies will be awarded to the best players on each day.

SafeWork SA can apply to the Magistrates Court for an order if a company contravenes an EU agreement.

SafeWork SA has developed comprehensive guidance material in consultation with the SafeWork SA Advisory Committee to assist EU Applicants preparing their applications.

This material focuses on priority areas highlighted by the Regulator and can be particularly useful for applicants who struggle to identify activities that relate to the risk that led to the event in question.

Attribute to SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell:

Entering into Enforceable Undertakings with these two companies is the preferred enforcement option in this case due to the opportunity to achieve far-reaching safety benefits for companies in the residential construction industry and the broader community.

The introduction of an Industry Safety Round during the Barossa Light & Gawler Association's 2026 and 2027 seasons is a great opportunity to promote important safety messages to a new audience.

SafeWork SA is committed to working with companies to develop Enforceable Undertakings as an alternative to prosecution where appropriate.

This is demonstrated through the development of new resources designed to help businesses prepare their EU applications.

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Source:

Building site fall prompts $580,000 safety spend - 17 September 2025

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