Global Ballooning Australia Fined for Safety Failures After Employee’s Fall

Incident Overview

In June 2021, a worker at Global Ballooning Australia’s operations center in Dixon’s Creek fell approximately three metres through a fiberglass skylight while cleaning gutters, sustaining a fractured spine. The company delayed two days before reporting the incident to WorkSafe Victoria.

Following a WorkSafe investigation, Global Ballooning Australia pleaded guilty to two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and was fined $44,000 by Ringwood Magistrates’ Court, with costs of $9,770 ordered.

In June 2021, a worker at Global Ballooning Australia’s operations center in Dixon’s Creek fell approximately three metres through a fiberglass skylight while cleaning gutters, sustaining a fractured spine. The company delayed two days before reporting the incident to WorkSafe Victoria.

Following a WorkSafe investigation, Global Ballooning Australia pleaded guilty to two charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and was fined $44,000 by Ringwood Magistrates’ Court, with costs of $9,770 ordered.

WorkSafe Victoria’s investigation found that Global Ballooning Australia had failed to implement adequate fall prevention strategies and systems to assess and control risks associated with working at heights. The investigation noted that the use of fall arrest systems such as safety harnesses could have prevented the incident. The company’s two-day delay in reporting the incident to WorkSafe was also a factor in the enforcement action.

WorkSafe Victoria continues to emphasize that falls from height are entirely preventable through proper risk assessment, fall prevention systems, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety harnesses. Any workers or organisations with concerns about fall safety practices should contact WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089 or visit worksafe.vic.gov.au.