Simonds Queensland Constructions fined after apprentice injured on Sunshine Coast worksite

A Queensland construction company has been heavily fined after an apprentice was severely injured by a 15kg scaffolding plank during his first day on a Sunshine Coast worksite.

Simonds Queensland Constructions has been fined after a workplace accident on the Sunshine Coast. Pictured is a generic photo of residential scaffolding.

A reputable Queensland construction company has been heavily fined after an apprentice was injured in a workplace accident during his first day on the job site.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard this week the apprentice suffered serious injuries to his head and face when he was struck by scaffolding at a Simonds Queensland Constructions site on the Sunshine Coast.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist was tasked with the business’ penalty following its guilty plea to one count of failing to comply with health and safety duties.

Mr Stjernqvist said the apprentice was working his first day at the Sunshine Coast residential construction site when he was struck by a scaffold component, a plank, which weighed 15kg.

The company was sentenced in Maroochydore Magistrates Court this week. Picture: Patrick Woods

The Magistrate said it dislodged due to being incorrectly secured. He told the court the worker and his colleagues should not have been permitted access to the scaffolding after the company site supervisor undertook an inspection of the worksite only days earlier.

It was here the supervisor advised of defects present which included gaps in the scaffolding.

The apprentice suffered serious injuries to his head and face.

The incident took place on a residential work site.

Simonds Queensland Constructions, a building company which engages commercial and residential construction, were the principal contractor on the two-storey home.

Mr Stjernqvist said Simonds Queensland Constructions engaged in another company to erect scaffolding, who then subtracted that to another business.

The court was told what wasn’t found during the scaffolding inspection was the use of zip ties to secure some of the components which prevented on most occasions anything falling from a workplace.

In delivering the penalty, Mr Stjernqvist believed it was an “easily prevented” accident if there was a “thorough” inspection of the scaffolding.

Simonds Queensland Construction was fined $40,000 with costs ordered. No conviction was recorded.