A court decision penalising a property developer $180,000 and recording a conviction following an incident on a worksite in Amaroo, has disappointed Work Safe ACT.
Work Safety Commissioner Greg Jones said the matter related to an incident on 27 October 2016 in which a 16-year-old student on a work program stepped into an open void off a ladder on a work site in Amaroo, sustaining significant injuries.
“WorkSafe ACT is disappointed by the outcome,” Mr Jones said.
He noted the particular breach of duty (s 19 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (ACT) carried a possible maximum penalty of $1.5 million.
“The worker involved in this incident has suffered significant and life changing injuries.
“Noting that this incident could have quite easily been fatal, WorkSafe expected a greater penalty in recognition of this and to provide a strong deterrence for industry.”
He said two sub-contractors who also held work health and safety duties at the site at the time of the incident had already entered into separate Enforceable Undertakings with WorkSafe ACT.
“This provides a safety contribution to workers and the community of $132,000 for each company,” Mr Jones said.
He said that falls from heights remained one of the greatest risks for death and significant injury in the construction sector.
“Unfortunately, young workers were often overrepresented in such incidents,” he said.
He said he was considering whether to appeal against the decision.
