A D Edwards Solid Plastering Pty Ltd

Incident description:

A worker sustained a fractured right ankle and fractured vertebrae when he fell 6m from a formwork platform. He was performing rendering work when he stepped sideways and fell from an unguarded edge of scaffold into a stairwell void.

Investigation findings:

The investigation found that the defendants had not erected edge protection or taken any other step to ensure workers were protected from falling while working on the scaffold and that the system of work they were directed to follow was unsafe.

Considerations for prevention:

The company has subsequently improved its documentation and systems of work by updating its work method statements and re-inducting its workers.

Court result:

The defendant company pleaded guilty and fined $40,000. The executive officer also pleaded guilty. He was placed on a two year good behaviour bond with a surety imposed of $10,000.

Visit the Workplace Health and Safety website for more information on:

• hazards associated with scaffolding
• licensing requirements for scaffolding
• working at heights
• falling objects.