Industry on notice: spot fines to target falls from height


Released 18/05/2018 - Joint media release

On-the-spot fines of up to $3,600 can now be issued by WorkSafe ACT to employers who put workers’ safety at risk when working at height.

We know that working at height carries significant risks where any fall, even from a relatively low height, can have catastrophic consequences to a worker. Falls can be fatal, or leave a worker with life-changing injuries.

So far in the 2017-18 year there have been 72 workers compensation claims in the ACT for falls from height. There have also been many more instances of near misses where appropriate safety protections have not been in place. This is simply unacceptable.

The ACT Government has acted to provide the Regulator with greater powers to enforce safety requirements and prevent these injuries.

Due to the serious injuries that can occur when working at height, stronger regulatory action, including prosecution, will be used where appropriate.

This will send a clear message to industry - that safety must remain the key priority at all times.

Employers that don’t comply with their obligations in relation to providing a safe workplace by preventing falls will commit an offence under the Work Health and Safety Regulation (sections 79 and 80).

The new infringements are an important supplement to the Work Safety Commissioner’s other regulatory actions of issuing improvement/prohibition notices or court action.

- Statement ends -

Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

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