Australis Scaffolding Pty Ltd issued notice by Workplace Health and Safety

A Queensland scaffolding company, currently in voluntary administration after accumulating $2m in debt, was issued with an improvement notice by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for reported breaches.

Australis Scaffolding Pty Ltd enters voluntary administration.

A Sunshine Coast-based scaffolding company, currently in voluntary administration after accumulating about $2m in debt, was issued with an improvement notice by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, it has been revealed.

The company, Australis Scaffolding Pty Ltd, entered voluntary administration on August 5 according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission documents.

Nick Combis was appointed as administrator.

Based at Chevallum, the company provided scaffolding equipment from offices in Maryborough, Gympie and the Lockyer Valley.

The former employee alleged he was asked to drive a forklift with minimal training on main roads.

A former employee of the company, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were a number of safety breaches he observed while working on scaffolding for the company.

A report filed by the former employee to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, seen by this publication, alleged he had been instructed to work on scaffolding at heights of 20m above ground without appropriate qualifications.

It was also alleged employees drove forklifts without adequate training and on main roads near the company’s head office.

A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland spokeswoman said Australis Scaffolding had been issued with an improvement notice after a complaint was made about multiple safety issues earlier this year.

“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland received a complaint in March this year regarding workers in the yard operating forklifts without a license, as well as a lack of onsite safety for workers,” she said.

“A regional inspector attended the workplace and an improvement notice was issued.”

An ex-employee reported the scaffolding company to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, alleging he had been told to work at heights of 20m above ground without qualifications.

Last week a report to creditors revealed the company had accumulated about $2m in debts, with about $597,707 owed to the Deputy Commissioner of Taxation and $492,652 to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Mr Combis stated in the report the company recently sold $1.1m worth of scaffolding to an unrelated party and had transferred employees to a seperate, related entity.

“Employees have been transferred to a related entity. Considering the company’s poor trading history I do not expect the business operated by the company held any goodwill,” Mr Combis said.

The report to creditors outlined the company’s directors were looking to restructure affairs and continue trading.

Australis Scaffolding has been contacted by this publication for comment.