An Auburn businessman has been fined after a 58 year old man died when he fell from a ladder while installing security cameras.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Ru Dong Li, 53, was fined $60,000 in the Sydney District Court for failing to ensure the health and safety of a casual worker who died while in Mr Li’s employment, in June 2016.
The court heard that Li did not have a proper fall protection system in place.
Mr Kean said the incident showed that falls can happen in a split second, and have tragic consequences if safety procedures are not followed.
“Mr Li had been engaged to install seven security cameras at a mechanical repair shop in Auburn, and hired a worker on a casual basis to assist,” Mr Kean said.
“He left the worker on his own, more than two meters up a ladder, while setting up a second ladder, but when he returned the worker was lying unconscious on the floor.
“This poor man sustained a broken jaw, injuries to his shoulder and hip, and severe head injuries in the fall. He passed away in hospital the following day.
“It was a tragic accident, but one that could have been avoided.”
Mr Kean said SafeWork NSW is currently conducting a 12-month safety blitz after statistics revealed that falls from heights had more than tripled in the last five years.
“SafeWork will continue to target workplaces that don’t have the required safety procedures in place to protect workers,” Mr Kean said.
“We want to do everything we can to ensure a tragedy like this doesn’t happen again.”
Last year SafeWork NSW successfully prosecuted 34 offenders and issued 218 penalty notices.
Mr Li has the right to lodge an appeal.
