Prosecution Details

Being a person having control of a workplace failed to ensure that either edge protection or a fall injury prevention system was in operation whenever there was a risk that a person could fall 3 or more metres from an edge of the workplace.

The defendant was a roofing company engaged to work at a three storey block of flats, which involved removing and replacing existing guttering and down pipes. The defendant engaged two subcontractors to do the work.

WorkSafe inspectors observed one person walking across the roof wearing a safety harness in the incorrect manner and not being attached to an anchorage system. The inspector also observed another person walking across the roof towards an access ladder and he was not wearing a safety harness. The roof height was measured at 8 metres and the subcontractors were working close to the edge of the roof to remove the gutters. No edge protection was provided at the site.

The defendant pleaded guilty.