Cobb, John trading as Cobb's Constructions

Incident description:

A worker was cleaning an area adjacent to a penetration in a suspended concrete floor of a house under construction. A 600 mm x 1070 mm penetration was covered with a sheet of formply, but the sheet was not secured. As the worker was sweeping, he stepped onto the formply covering the gap and fell through the gap to the floor approximately 2.9 metres below, fracturing his left forearm.

Investigation findings:

The worker's supervisor intended to secure the formply once the worker had cleaned the area. The investigation found that the company had clearly identified the hazard and were in the process of implementing a control measure.

Considerations for prevention:

After the incident, the company was required to conduct a risk assessment to ensure floor penetration coverings were secured.

Obligation holders should consider the requirements of section 27A of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 which outlines obligations relating to risk management and Subdivision 10, Division 3 of Part 17 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 which outlines a 'relevant person's obligation for risk of a person falling'.

Court result:

The company was fined $5,000 with no conviction recorded.

• Controls to prevent falls from heights