Prosecution Details

Being the main contractor at a workplace, namely Lot 301 Farr Street, North Perth, failed to ensure that no work was done on or adjacent to a metal scaffold that was less than 4.5 metres horizontally from overhead electric wires.

The defendant was constructing a two storey residential home. Scaffold was erected around part of the outside of the building to enable roof tiling work to be completed. The scaffold was erected less than 4.5 metres (horizontal distance) from electric wires.

A power line carrying electricity at 240 volts running parallel to the scaffold was moved out of its natural alignment and attached to the scaffold with a piece of rope.

The Magistrate said he believed the start point for the offence was around $2500. He took into account the fact that the defendant had no record, had a good reputation in the industry and had entered a guilty plea.