Nautical Roofing Pty Ltd

Incident description:

Whilst fixing apron flashings to a concrete wall and an adjoining section of corrugated roofing, two workers fell five meters when the awning they were working on collapsed.

A number of 'dyna bolts' securing the awning to the concrete wall, had been cut short by the installer of the awning. The alteration to the bolts resulted in the load bearing capacity of the awning being compromised and causing the collapse. There were no physical barriers around the edge of the roof and no other fall arrest devices were being used .

Court result:

The defendant pleaded guilty and was fined $15 000. No conviction was recorded.

Considerations for prevention:

When working in the building and construction industry where there is exposure to risks from falls, obligation holders should apply a risk management approach to ensure the selection of suitable control measures.

Risk management involves evaluating the consequences and likelihood of harm that may result from the hazard, deciding on and implementing control measures to prevent or minimise the level of the risk from the hazard and monitoring the effectiveness of the control measures to ensure they remain working correctly.

When deciding and implementing appropriate control measures associated with working at heights obligation holders should consider the use of travel restraints, fall-arrest harness systems, edge protection or a guard railing that can withstand the force of a person falling against it. Erecting scaffolding or using an elevating work platform may also provide a much safer way to work at heights.

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

• health safety information for construction
• construction guide
• managing risk
• working at heights
• implementing controls or evaluating or monitoring them
• training staff as a control measure to manage risks
• Scaffolding Code of Practice 2009
• Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995
• Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008
• what penalties apply under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995