Australian authorities not too long ago fined a photo voltaic set up firm AUD 40,000 ($27,260) after a employee fell 10 meters by way of an asbestos roof within the state of Victoria.
From pv journal Australia
The Australian state of Victoria’s office well being and security regulator stated Sams Solar Pty Ltd was sentenced within the Portland Magistrates Court earlier this month after pleading responsible to a cost of failing to offer and keep a secure office. The firm was fined AUD 40,000 and in addition ordered to pay AUD 6,026 in prices.
WorkSafe Victoria stated Sams Solar had been contracted to take away asbestos sheeting then set up a brand new roof and photo voltaic system at a self-storage warehouse in Portland in April 2023.
The courtroom heard the corporate engaged sub-contractors to take away the asbestos roof from the three-storey constructing and offered the gear to finish the job.
The regulator stated the employees got harnesses and lifted to the roof by a increase carry earlier than being hooked up to an anchor level utilizing ropes and required to maneuver across the rooftop by way of an unsafe size of log.
One of the ropes within the employee’s harness received caught and when he untied it to repair it, the roof beneath the tree he was strolling on cracked and he fell by way of it.
He was taken to hospital with accidents, together with a damaged wrist and extreme bruising to his physique.
“Falls from heights stay one of many largest killers in Victorian workplaces, and it is disappointing to see employers proceed to place employees in conditions the place they’re at critical threat of damage,” stated WorkSafe Executive Safety Director Sam Jenkin. “As this case highlights, security harnesses carry their very own dangers and may solely be thought of in cases the place intensive threat mitigation measures aren’t obtainable.”
Jenkin stated the person was left with painful accidents in an incident that might have simply resulted in tragedy.
WorkSafe stated it was “moderately practicable” for Sams Solar to make sure the asbestos elimination work was carried out from beneath the roof utilizing a scissor carry.
And if the work is finished from the roof, the corporate should guarantee that there’s a security mesh or a catch platform positioned beneath the asbestos sheeting and that the short-term passageway is at the very least 450 mm large and secured on the peak of the roof .
This content material is protected by copyright and will not be reused. If you wish to cooperate with us and wish to reuse a few of our content material, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
Popular content material
