Employer failed to take 'even the most basic of precautions' for working at heights
Watertank Solutions Victoria has been fined a total of $45,000 after two workers fell into a tank and left one a paraplegic in 2022.
The two workers fell in a concrete tank when they were trying to remove its roofing panels while only balancing on metal planks, according to WorkSafe Victoria.
One of the employees suffered a shoulder injury, while the other fell head-first and suffered serious head and neck injuries resulting in paraplegia.
WorkSafe inspectors who went to the scene said there was no safe work method statement in place at the site as required in high-risk construction work.
The investigation also determined that the water tank installation and maintenance company could have reduced or eliminated the risk of falls by using prevention measures, such as installing scaffolding or a fixed ladder to access the roof and adding a perimeter guardrail or a fall arrest harness at the edge of the tank.
"In this case, the employer failed to take even the most basic of precautions for working at heights and, as a result, one man has suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries," said WorkSafe Executive Director Health and Safety Sam Jenkin in a statement.
"This is a serious breach of the employer's duty to take every reasonable step to keep workers safe – particularly when working with well-known hazards such as heights of two metres or more."
Watertank Solutions Victoria pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to provide and maintain a safety system of work.
In addition to the $45,000 fine, it was also ordered to pay$3,960 in costs.
