Contractor and director fined $300k over injury

UPDATED: Esperance-based FGS Contracting and the director of that company have been fined more than $300,000 over the serious injuries sustained by one of the company's workers in 2016.

The contractor was handed a $225,000 fine by the Perth Magistrate Court for failing to provide a safe workplace, while director Ryan Wayne Franceschi received a $102,500 fine.

(Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly named the director as Wayne Franceschi.)

The 17-year-old labourer suffered severe injuries to his skull, jaw, shoulder and chest after being struck by steel truss while on a ladder.

Mr Franceschi was driving a telehandler and alighted while it was in operation, which caused the steel truss to fall and hit the labourer.

The court also found that the young worker was not provided a helmet, did not have a white card, and had received no proper training to perform the role.

Acting deputy director general Safety Regulation Group, Andrew Chaplyn, said the case shows that the occupational safety laws must be applied.

“This young man has been left with life-long consequences because of the safety failures of his employer,” he said.

“Our safety laws require all concerned to pay attention to training, protective equipment, and a safe systems approach to reduce the exposure to risks that continue to have devastating consequences for many.

“These fines represent a warning to ensure predictable and well known hazards and risks are identified and controlled.”

The news comes after a cartage company was fined $160,000 after pleading guilty to causing the death of two construction workers in East Perth in 2015 when tilt-up panels fell off a truck.