Builder fined $70,000 after worker falls through floor”

Foreword

Today, Solve Safety is analysing and reviewing this latest reported WorkSafe Victoria's (workplace safety regulator) News and Safety Alerts. Solve Safety is not identifying the nature of the specific problem of any person or organisation in this commentary but only speculating on what could be happening generally in a situation like this, as described by the regulator's media press release.

Introduction

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Topic Elements

As a learning from the topic elements, Solve Safety has both analysed the background and the timeline of both how and why an incident like this could take place and what judgements or decision reasoning was reached by the workplace safety regulator's published conclusions.

Are You Managing the Hazards When Working on Your Mezzanine Levels?

Background

According to WorkSafe Victoria's recent news and safety alerts, a construction company has been convicted and fined after a carpenter fell through plywood flooring at their construction worksite whilst working on a mezzanine level (an intermediate floor between levels of a building) marking out formwork. The plywood floor, unsupported by joists or beams, gave away, which caused the carpenter to fall and become lodged in scaffolding below. The worker was taken to the hospital for scans and, fortunately, did not sustain any serious injuries.

WorkSafe Victoria's investigations found that even though it’s an employer’s legal duty to put appropriate risk control measures in place, the underneath supporting beams (joists and/or beams) that are located beneath the plywood formwork had been removed. Without the scaffold in place, the carpenter became trapped, stopping the worker from possibly falling another two (2) levels to the ground below.  

Described by the regulator, the construction industry remains one of Victoria's most dangerous sectors for the risk of falls if without having the right measures in place, such as implementing procedures or process that require inspection of flooring to ensure that there are no unsupported areas and warning signage posted that prohibits workers from accessing areas with unsupported flooring.

With the regulator further stating that those employers who fail to do so (have the right measures in place) will face consequences, as this worker's incident was extremely lucky situation that escaped a possible outcome of more serious injuries or even death.

Are You Controlling the Risks of Your Mezzanine Level Operations?‍

According to this WorkSafe Victoria's news, workplace employers (duty Holders) should ensure they have currently risk assessed and reviewed their organisations’ operational activities and tasks (harm minimisation) controls for working on mezzanine levels, such as:

• Ensure that a competent person produces a formwork design capable of supporting the expected dynamic and static loads.
• Have systems in place to formally signoff a formwork deck as being structurally sound, complete and safe for other trade workers to use as a work platform.
• Provide employees undertaking construction work with specific training, including the onsite risks associated with formwork decks.
• Ensure High-risk Construction Work is not performed unless a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is prepared and followed.
• Use a fall arrest system, such as a catch platform or safety nets.

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