WorkSafe has charged two building companies after a worker was seriously injured at a Caulfield South construction site in July 2024.
A 39-year-old worker was installing the ceiling of a third floor balcony when he fell from the ladder he was working on to another balcony below.
REQ Construction Pty Ltd and MAD Group Construction Pty Ltd each face a single charge under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing to provide and maintain a safe working environment.
WorkSafe alleges both companies breached regulation 44(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations by failing to ensure a passive fall prevention device, such as a mobile scaffold, was used to perform the work.
It is also alleged REQ Construction failed to ensure such a device was available for use.
WorkSafe publishes advice and guidance for employers to safely manage working at heights:
- Compliance code: Prevention of falls in general construction
- Compliance code: Prevention of falls in housing construction
- Fall prevention
- Falls prevention checklist
- Preventing slips, trips and falls under 2 metres
Read more: Companies charged after worker's fall from balcony | WorkSafe Victoria