You are here

Central Coast company fined after worker injured in fall

CENTRAL COAST COMPANY FINED AFTER WORKER INJURED IN FALL

A Central Coast kitchen cabinet manufacturer has been fined after a Wyong man was injured when he fell 4.5m from a cool room, Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said.

Wholesale Joinery Pty Ltd was fined $120,000 in the Sydney District Court for failing to protect the health and safety of the then 55-year-old when he was injured in April 2016.

Mr Kean said the worker had no specific training in high-risk construction work or working at heights when he was asked to help remove ducting from a cool room at the Somersby factory.

“Wholesale Joinery got a quote but thought the cost was too high, and felt its employees were experienced enough to undertake part of the works,” Mr Kean said.

“But they failed this poor worker as they had few safeguards in place to eliminate or minimise the risks involved.”

The worker was helping remove and discard air conditioning ducting from the top of the cool room and fell 4.5m onto a concrete floor when the suspended ceiling panel gave way.

“This poor man sustained serious injuries, including a fractured wrist and elbow, and a fractured kneecap, which meant he missed out on months of work,” Mr Kean said.

“It is absolutely vital businesses have the right systems in place to protect workers and SafeWork will continue to go after those who aren’t doing the right thing.

“I want to make sure every worker who heads off to work in the morning returns home safely to their family each night.”

Last year SafeWork NSW successfully prosecuted 34 offenders and issued 218 penalty notices. Wholesale Joinery has the right to lodge an appeal.