SafeWork NSW Steps Up Enforcement Following $128M Budget Boost and Tragic Construction Fatalities

Incident Overview

On Tuesday, 25 October 2016, skilled carpenter Iremar Da Silva fell from the first floor of a residential construction site in Ryde, north-west Sydney. There were no safety barriers in place at the time of the fall, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

SafeWork NSW investigated and determined that the death was caused by negligence. Two companies were subsequently prosecuted and each fined approximately $500,000. The incident has since become a focal point in discussions about workplace safety enforcement and employer accountability across New South Wales.

• Fatalities:
  • On Tuesday, 25 October 2016, skilled carpenter Iremar Da Silva fell from the first floor of a residential construction site in Ryde, north-west Sydney
• Injuries:
  • None reported.

• On Tuesday, 25 October 2016, skilled carpenter Iremar Da Silva fell from the first floor of a residential construction site in Ryde, north-west Sydney

SafeWork NSW investigated and determined that the death was caused by negligence. Two companies were subsequently prosecuted and each fined approximately $500,000. The incident has since become a focal point in discussions about workplace safety enforcement and employer accountability across New South Wales.

SafeWork NSW conducted a full investigation into the circumstances of the fall. The regulator concluded that the death was caused by negligence on the part of the site operators and contractors responsible for safety management.

Although nearly a decade has passed since this incident, SafeWork NSW continues to investigate workplace safety failures across New South Wales. Anyone with information about unsafe practices on construction sites or other workplaces is encouraged to contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or report online at safework.nsw.gov.au.

In Summary

Although nearly a decade has passed since this incident, SafeWork NSW continues to investigate workplace safety failures across New South Wales. Anyone with information about unsafe practices on construction sites or other workplaces is encouraged to contact SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or report online at safework.nsw.gov.au.