Perimeter Scaffolding fined $5000 for failing to provide a safe workplace

A Scaffolding business has been fined in Geelong court for failing to provide proper fall protection.

Perimeter Scaffolding

A scaffolding business has been fined for not meeting WorkSafe requirements because it didn’t have proper fall protection for a worker.

Perimeter Scaffolding pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday to failing to provide a safe workplace without risk.

WorkSafe prosecutor David Sagnelli said the company had been working at a residential construction site in Hamlyn Heights.

On August 31, 2021 a WorkSafe inspector driving by noticed an employee working without adequate protection.

The court heard the inspector noticed an employee working on the lower roof of the dwelling.

Mr Sagnelli said the employee was working at a height of 2.84m without the appropriate protection required to prevent a fall.

Although no injuries occurred, Mr Sagnelli said the injuries the employee could have sustained would have been “catastrophic”.

“It’s the type of offence that exposes employees to a great deal of danger,” Mr Sagnelli said.

“It’s a reasonable possibility that when there is a fall from a height of 2.84m, the consequences can be catastrophic.

“Granted there were no consequences here, but that does not ameliorate the offence,” he said.

Jane Coventry represented Perimeter Scaffolding in court and said the family-owned business agreed with the facts.

“It accepts that it is aware of the risks that working at heights pose,” Ms Coventry said.

Ms Coventry said Stan Demo, the director of the company, was remorseful and incredibly embarrassed about the incident.

She said there was an administrative control measure in place, however an employee did not comply with the safe work method statement.

“This is a case where the employee did not comply and went on a frolic of his own,” Ms Coventry said.

“The accused does accept it does not absolve it of responsibility in regards to that employee’s actions.

“This is not a case where there are absolutely no measures in place to control the risk of working with heights,” she said.

Magistrate Bernard Fitzgerald fined the company $5000, without conviction, and also ordered it to pay costs of $4823.

Originally published as Perimeter Scaffolding fined $5000 for failing to provide a safe workplace