Prosecution Details

Being an employer, failed to provide and maintain, so far as was practicable, a working environment in which its employees were not exposed to hazards.

The defendant was subcontracted to do roofing work to a building in Donnybrook.

On 2 April 2001 a WorkSafe inspector visited the site and observed the defendant and two of his employees working on the roof without any protection from falling from it. Parts of the roof had been removed and re-roofing work had began.

The inspector issued an improvement notice to the main contractor and had some discussion with him in relation to work occurring at heights.

On 30 April 2001 the same inspector observed two persons working on the southwest corner of the roof without any protection from falling. The workers on the roof were employees of the defendant. The inspector issued a prohibition notice to the defendant.

The fall distance from the roof of the building varied from 3.6 metres to 6 metres.

The provision of safety harnesses and anchorage points would have significantly reduced, or eliminated the hazard.

The defendant pleaded guilty. The penalty was imposed under section 19(6).

convicted