Don’t wait to take action when alerted to safety risks

A Victorian steel-framing company was fined $20,000 after a worker fell more than 3 metres to the ground from a ladder (WorkSafe Victoria v Urban Home Construction Pty Ltd [2026]). The Court found that the company had failed to prevent or minimise the risk of a fall from height, despite receiving a warning from the principal contractor 2 days prior.

The company was engaged by the principal contractor, a larger construction company, to install light steel gauge frames and flooring boards for the construction of four double-storey townhouses with basements in Brighton. The company employed several people, including the injured worker, to complete the work.

On 20 May 2024, the worker climbed a portable ladder to pass tools to other workers who were working on the first floor of one of the townhouses as they were preparing to install the flooring boards and light steel gauge frames. The worker fell from the ladder from a height of approximately 3.4 metres to the ground, suffering injury as a result.

During its investigation, WorkSafe Victoria inspectors attended the site and observed that the perimeter edges and internal edges did not have compliant fall protection in place. It was also identified that the ladder that was used by the injured worker was not secured at the top or bottom, and did not extend at least 900 millimetres above the landing area.

The company pleaded guilty. In sentencing the company, the Court noted that there had been a warning from the principal contractor prior to the incident about the unsafe practice. However, neither the principal contractor nor the company took steps to ensure compliance with the warning.

The Court fined the company $40,000, which was reduced to $20,000 on account of the company’s early guilty plea. The company was ordered to pay costs. The principal contractor was also prosecuted and fined $42,000.

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