Minoan Constructions faces County Court over death Nicholas Anastasiadis at Cheltenham worksite

A worker who died when he fell from a ladder at a Cheltenham job site was the father of the construction company’s director, a court has heard.

A 69-year-old man was working at a Cheltenham worksite in February 2022 when he fatally fell from a ladder. Picture: File

A construction worker died while working for his son’s business in Melbourne’s southeast during the company’s first project, a court has heard.

Minoan Constructions was sentenced at the Victorian County Court on Friday, having pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure a safe workplace following the death of worker Nicholas Anastasiadis, 69, at a site in Cheltenham on February 7, 2022.

The court heard Mr Anastasiadis, the father of one of Minoan Constructions’ directors, was installing guard railing and laying flooring sheets on the 4.15m high mezzanine level of a set of flats when he and his unsecured ladder toppled over.

Mr Anastasiadis died at the scene.

Judge Elizabeth Brimer said Mr Anastasiadis’ death was extra-curial punishment for his family members. Picture: File

Judge Elizabeth Brimer said the family-owned business did not show a “wanton disregard” for safety, but “simple, inexpensive, and well-known” measures could have been implemented to improve it.

She said the death of a family member constituted a significant punishment in itself.

“Their profound loss is felt not only at work, but also at family gatherings and milestones,” Judge Brimer said of Mr Anastasiadis’ loved ones.

Although the Cheltenham job was Minoan Constructions’ first, the company’s directors had many years’ relevant experience.

The business was convicted and fined $270,000.

The court heard that as it recovers and “considers its future”, Minoan Constructions relies on word-of-mouth work.