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A solar panel company in Victoria has been fined $40,000 after a worker fell 10 meters through an asbestos-filled roof, sustaining serious injuries. The incident underscores the critical need for proper safety measures when working at heights, particularly in hazardous environments.
Safety Violations and Consequences
The worker was provided with a harness but was required to move around the roof using unsecured timber planks. When his harness ropes became tangled, he unclipped to fix them, and the brittle roof surface gave way, causing him to fall.
WorkSafe Victoria found that Sams Solar failed to provide a safe workplace and could have implemented safer methods, such as working from underneath the roof or installing safety mesh and secure walkways. The company pleaded guilty and was fined $40,000 plus court costs.
WorkSafe’s Statement
WorkSafe executive director Sam Jenkin emphasized that falls from height remain a major cause of workplace fatalities and injuries. He stressed that safety harnesses alone are not sufficient and should only be used when other risk control measures are not feasible.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of prioritizing worker safety, especially when working at heights and with hazardous materials like asbestos. Companies must implement and enforce proper safety protocols to prevent such accidents and protect their workers.