A Mornington Peninsula carpentry construction company, AGN Carpentry Pty Ltd, has been fined $15,000 and convicted of failing to provide a safe system of work after an apprentice was seriously injured.
In October 2023 AGN Carpentry’s director and an apprentice were attempting to install two laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams in the ceiling of a residence in Somerville. They completed the propping that was required due to the LVL beams being load bearing and completed the installation of the first LVL beam without incident. The director and apprentice had completed the first stage of the work relatively quickly while standing on separate A-frame ladders at opposite ends of the beams.
Using the same technique, they moved on to the installation of the second LVL beam. During the installation one of the props fell to the ground and the apprentice became entangled in his ladder, falling head-first to the ground. His head hit the concrete ground before the falling LVL beam also struck him on the head.
The apprentice sustained three skull fractures, a fractured cheekbone and bleeding on his brain.
WorkSafe’s investigation revealed two installation options that could have significantly reduced the risk of harm – using two mobile scaffolds and a mechanical lifter, such as a duct lifter, or using three people and stable based trestles or planks.
Following the incident AGN Carpentry safely completed the LVL beam installation using mobile scaffolds and a duct lifter which it hired at a cost of $135.
AGN Carpentry pleaded guilty and had a conviction recorded.
Read more: Prosecution Result Summaries and Enforceable Undertakings | WorkSafe Victoria