Mzk Construction Pty Ltd cops 30k fine and conviction

A construction company has been fined for failing to provide a safe workspace for employees working at a block of units in Geelong.

Mzk Construction receives fine and conviction.

A construction company has copped a massive fine for failing to provide a safe workspace for employees working at a block of units in Hamlyn Heights.

Mounzer Karim, the director and secretary of Mzk Construction Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates’ Court on behalf of his company to the charges of failing to provide a safe workplace without risk and failing to comply with a prohibition order.

The court heard Mzk Construction Pty Ltd, based in Delahey, was contracted to build a block of units and was running behind schedule.

On January 11, 2022, a WorkSafe inspector attended the workplace and when they arrived they observed two workers working at a height of about 5m without floor protection.

WorkSafe Victoria told the court the two workers had not been inducted and Mr Karim was unable to provide a safe work method statement for the high risk carpentry work.

As a result, infringement notices were issued.

A few days later on January 14, an inspector visited the site and when they arrived they noticed two workers working without adequate floor protection.

The inspector also observed inadequate guardrails had been installed.

The court heard Mr Karim had provided no information on how to erect compliant guardrails.

WorkSafe conducted a number of follow up visits in February and March last year.

The court heard inspectors observed a number of works in place which were in contravention of infringement notices.

Mr Karim, of Delahey, told the court things started to get out of control as a result of Covid, which resulted in a shortage of workers and materials.

He told the court he was sourcing tradies at that time and working with whatever he could get his hands on.

“I had to deal with what I had to deal with to make it work, it’s not an excuse for failing to meet the requirements to keep the site safe,” Mr Karim said.

Magistrate Franz Holzer fined Mzk Construction Pty Ltd $30,000 and also opted to record a conviction.

Mr Holzer said companies should not operate at the peril of operating unsafely to try and make ends meet.

“What conversation would we be having if there had been a fall … you need to take steps to ensure workers are safe.

“Primarily if you can’t be operating safely, your business shouldn’t be operating. That’s the reality of it,” he said.

Originally published as Mzk Construction Pty Ltd cops 30k fine and conviction