Tuesday 16th February 2021

Roofing truss manufacturer fined $40,000. 

Melbourne Truss Pty Ltd was yesterday convicted and fined $40,000 due to a lack of fall protection at a Cranbourne North building site in October 2018.

Dandenong Magistrates' Court heard a prime mover fitted with a loading crane delivered wooden roof trusses to a two-storey residential construction site.

A nearby resident recorded video footage of a worker climbing the frame of trusses lifted onto a building to unhook the crane's chain sling. The worker was not wearing a safety harness and then seen to be lowered to the tray of a truck by the crane.

The resident contacted WorkSafe and an investigation was commenced.

The investigation showed a risk of injury or death due to a fall from over two metres, and it was deemed practicable for Melbourne Truss to ensure workers used a portable ladder to access the building's first floor.

WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Julie Nielsen said, 'It's crucial that all workers are appropriately trained, equipped and supervised to do their jobs safely.'

More information can be found on the WorkSafe Vic website.

Townsville Engineering firm charged over worker's death. 

CASA Engineering has been charged over a worker’s death, after an incident at the site in Enterprise Street, Bohle on 14 December 2018.

The worker was unloading steel pipes from a truck, when a pipe fell and crushed him. Nearby workers tried in vain to use a forklift to free him before paramedics arrived; however, he could not be saved.

CASA Engineering faces a single charge of failing to comply with a health and safety duty.

The charge is a category two offence under the federal Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and carries a maximum penalty of $1.5m.

The Engineering firm was contacted about the incident but declined to answer. The case was mentioned briefly in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Original article - Townsville Bulletin