An asbestos removal company has been convicted and fined $300,000 after an employee was fatally injured while conducting asbestos removal tasks at a Wollongong University site in 2020.
Acting Head of SafeWork Andrew Gavrielatos explained that the company, Empire Contracting Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty in NSW District Court to one count of failing to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers.
“In this case, the court heard the incident happened while employees of Empire Contracting Pty Ltd were attending to asbestos removal tasks in the roof of student accommodation ahead of demolition work,” Mr Gavrielatos said.
“Two employees wearing safety equipment for working at heights had just finished attending to asbestos waste in the roof and were about to descend a ladder.
“One man removed his safety lanyard from his harness. Untethered, the employee stepped towards the ladder and fell through breakable asbestos roof sheeting to the concrete floor below.”
It was heard in court that the worker fell more than two metres and suffered fatal injuries. The subsequent investigation by SafeWork NSW found that the worker did not have the appropriate qualifications or work experience to complete the tasks at height.
“Working at any height is an inherently dangerous activity which is why training and support are available for those businesses and employees attending to such duties,” Mr Gavrielatos said.
“Relentless vigilance and a ‘safety first’ approach are required in any workplace to help guard against any risks and prevent injuries and deaths.”