A Melbourne builder and developer who faced the Ringwood Magistrates’ court earlier this year has had his fine increased on appeal.
The business, Chloch Homes & Developments, faced court in February over one charge of failing to ensure that a workplace was safe and without health and safety risks, over an incident involving a subcontractor at one of their sites.
The subcontractor required an ambulance and was transported to hospital after he fell through an unguarded void and landed approximately six metres below on the concrete floor.
The subsequent investigation by WorkSafe found that the business had no fall protection in place at the site at all.
In the original hearing, Chloch was fined $15,000 and no conviction was recorded. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed that fine, and Chloch is now required to pay a fine of $25,000, with a conviction recorded, as well as costs of $2,500.00.
Following the new decision, WorkSafe Health and Safety Executive Director Julie Nielsen explained the importance of rigorous safety standards, especially around falls from heights.
“There are no excuses for allowing workers to complete tasks around unprotected edges and voids,” Ms Nielsen said.
“These risks are well known and the systems of work for eliminating or reducing them are readily available.”
“Falls from height are a leading cause of serious injuries and death on Victorian construction sites and employers must take these risks seriously.”