Riviera Marine (Int) Pty Ltd

Incident description:

A worker was assisting a co-worker to apply finishing wax to a fabricated boat mould. In order to perform the task, the worker removed his shoes and placed protective socks over his feet before entering the mould. The worker was standing on the mould surface applying wax, when he slipped and fell. The worker landed on his right side and sustained bruising to his right shoulder.

WHSQ investigation findings:

The protective socks worn by the worker while applying wax to the mould protected the wax finish from damage. However, this did not provide grip between the worker's feet and the mould. The defendant failed to notify the Chief Executive of the incident in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997.

Court result:

The defendant entered a plea of guilty and was fined $25,750. No conviction was recorded. The defendant had one previous conviction under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.

Considerations for prevention:

In undertaking risk assessments, employers should always consider the risk posed to workers of slips, trips and falls. Where it is identified that a work area is slippery, appropriate controls should be adopted and implemented to ensure that workers have a secure and stable footing from which to safely perform their duties. Training staff to identify and report potential hazards is another way of reducing risks in the workplace.

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

• conducting risk assessments or developing safe operating procedures
• hazard based assessment form, and
• training options or how training should be conducted