Gold Coast Metal Roofing fined $30k over unsafe practices

A Gold Coast roofing company has been fined $30,000 for unsafe practices after an employee had a shocking accident during a Logan job.

Gold Coast Metal Roofing Director Simon Vincent leaving Beenleigh Magistrates Court

A roofing company has been fined $30,000 for unsafe practices after an employee had a shocking accident while working on a Logan building.

While working on a roof at an abattoir in Beenleigh, two employees from Gold Coast Metal Roofing (GCMR) were standing on a skylight when one of them fell through the glass.

The 28-year-old suffered multiple fractures and remained in hospital for three weeks.

He needed metal rods inserted in his body, could no longer drive, had to downgrade his house due to lack of mobility and could not work for 18 months.

GCMR pleaded guilty in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday to one count of failure to comply with health and safety duties, category two.

The court heard the company failed to assess the necessary safety risks which contributed to the accident on March 16, 2021.

The risks of working on the skylights were identified but not passed on and the two employees were not wearing safety harnesses.

Magistrate Tracy Mossop said the company and the staff had failed their health and safety responsibilities.

“There is a duty of care required by an employer but there was a complete lack of common sense by the employees,” she said.

“[Director Simon] Vincent had tried to comply with his health and safety duties but still failed to provide the right information.

“He fully co-operated but the Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) forms have failed on this occasion.”

The court heard since the accident, GCMR had implemented new safety measures and mandatory inspections of all roofs.

GCMR was fined $30,000 and ordered to pay $1601 in court costs.

No conviction was recorded.