Quarrying Company Fined After Worker’s Fall
A quarrying services company has been fined after a serious workplace incident left a worker with multiple injuries, including a fractured back.
This article is an abridgement from WorkSafe WA found here.
A quarrying services company has been fined after a serious workplace incident left a worker with multiple injuries, including a fractured back.
The incident occurred when an operator was helping to remove heavy wire screen panels from the top deck of a screening machine, more than three metres above the ground. While throwing one of the panels down, the worker’s jumper became caught, causing them to fall to the ground below.
The worker suffered internal bleeding, ligament damage, a fractured vertebra, wrist and elbow sprains, and a forearm laceration. They required a back brace for 12 weeks and were unable to return to work for several months.
In court, the company pleaded guilty to exposing workers to the risk of injury and failing to preserve the site after the incident. They were fined $167,000.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said the incident highlighted the importance of safe systems of work, particularly when employees are exposed to fall risks. Guard rails, fall prevention systems, and safer methods for handling heavy equipment could have prevented this serious injury.
This case is a reminder that falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace injuries and fatalities. Employers must ensure effective safety measures are in place, and workers should always be trained and equipped to carry out tasks safely.
Source:
Quarrying Company Fined After Worker’s Fall - WorkSafe WA
