Construction Companies Fined for Breaches of Workplace Safety Laws

The following is an abridgement of an article originally published by WorkSafe WA.

Two construction companies have been penalised a total of $468,000 in fines, in addition to $36,500 in costs, for breaches of workplace health and safety laws in respective incidents. The cases highlight the critical need for safety measures on construction sites.

Company Fined for Serious Safety Breach

A Perth building company, was fined $450,000 and ordered to pay $35,000 in costs after being found guilty of failing to provide a safe workplace. The company recently received its penalty from the Perth Magistrates Court.

The incident occurred during early 2019 when the company was the principal contractor for a secondary school construction project. A worker was seriously injured when a concrete staircase collapsed on him. The collapse happened when a subcontractor was removing steel props supporting the staircase to build a load-bearing wall underneath. 

In February 2023, the principal contractor was fined $600,000 and ordered to pay $5,000 in costs for their role in the incident.

Construction Company Penalised for Site Security Lapses

In a separate case, another construction company pleaded guilty to charges of failing to secure their construction site, which led to the death of a 12-year-old boy. The Armadale Magistrates Court fined the company $18,000 and ordered it to pay $1,500 in costs.

In May 2022, The company was constructing five single-story residential units in Maddington, near densely populated housing. On the evening of May 9, children accessed the unsecured site through an open gate. Tragically, a 12-year-old boy fell from the roof area and was fatally struck by a falling lintel.

WorkSafe Highlights Critical Risks on Construction Sites

WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North emphasised how these types of incidents truly show the range of safety risks on construction sites. "The case against the construction company shows the consequences of poor risk assessment, communication, and instruction. The subcontractors involved were inexperienced with the type of staircase and unaware of the danger posed by removing the props,” Ms. North explained.

She also highlighted the importance of site security in the other construction site case. The company lacked a system that ensured the security gates were closed after hours which ultimately led to the unauthorised access.

WorkSafe is currently conducting a proactive inspection program to ensure construction site security is prioritised and that employers understand and mitigate these risks.

These cases serve as a reminder that ensuring workplace safety and security is crucial to prevent harm and protect both workers and the public.

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