Companies Charged After Worker’s Fall From Balcony

What happened?

Two building companies have been charged after a worker was seriously injured during a construction project in Caulfield South in July 2024. According to WorkSafe Victoria, the worker fell from a balcony at the residential building site and suffered serious injuries.

Following an investigation, WorkSafe laid charges against both companies under Victoria’s workplace safety laws. The matter highlights the ongoing risks associated with working at heights, which continues to be one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in the construction industry.

The allegations

WorkSafe alleges the companies failed to provide and maintain a workplace that was safe and without risks to health.

The charges relate to the management of fall hazards at the site and whether appropriate controls were in place to prevent workers from falling from elevated areas. The case will now proceed through the court system where the allegations will be tested.

As with all prosecutions, the charges are allegations until determined by the court.

Why falls remain a major concern

Falls from height continue to be one of the most common causes of death and serious injury on Victorian worksites.

The Victorian Government recently reported that WorkSafe significantly increased enforcement activity around fall risks, with dozens of employers facing charges related to working at heights. In 2025 alone, falls from height contributed to multiple workplace fatalities across the state.

Construction workers regularly face risks from:

• Balconies and elevated platforms
• Roof work
• Stair voids and floor openings
• Scaffolding
• Ladders and temporary work platforms

Without proper controls, even a relatively short fall can result in life-changing injuries.

What employers should be doing

WorkSafe consistently recommends that builders and contractors:

• Install appropriate edge protection and guardrails
• Use passive fall prevention systems wherever possible
• Conduct site-specific risk assessments before work begins
• Ensure workers are trained and supervised
• Regularly inspect fall protection measures throughout the project
• Prevent access to unprotected edges and openings

The safest approach is to eliminate the fall risk altogether rather than relying solely on personal protective equipment.

The bigger picture

This prosecution serves as another reminder that working at heights remains one of the most scrutinised areas of workplace safety enforcement in Victoria.

Whether the work involves a roof, balcony, scaffold or elevated platform, employers are expected to identify fall hazards and implement controls before work starts. When those controls are missing, the consequences can be severe for workers and significant for businesses.

TL;DR

• Two building companies have been charged after a worker was seriously injured in a balcony fall at a Caulfield South construction site.
• WorkSafe alleges workplace safety duties relating to fall protection were not adequately met.
• Falls from height remain one of Victoria’s leading causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities.
• The case reinforces the importance of guardrails, edge protection, supervision and effective fall prevention systems on construction sites.

Source: WorkSafe Victoria, “Companies charged after worker’s fall from balcony”, 3 June 2026.