Four charges laid over worker's death

WorkSafe is prosecuting four parties over the death of 17-year-old Wesley Ballantine, who fell through a void in the roof during a construction project at the old General Post Office building in Forrest Place in 2017.

Valmont WA Pty Ltd, the main contractor for one stage of the project, has been charged with failing to ensure that persons who were not their employees were not exposed to hazards.

Industrial Construction Services Pty Ltd, Wesley Ballantine’s employer, has been charged with failing to provide and maintain a safe work environment and, by that failure, causing the death.

Adam Tony Forsyth and Luke Fraser Corderoy, a director and manager of Industrial Construction Services Pty Ltd, have also been personally charged with an offence that the incident occurred with their consent or was attributable to their neglect.

WorkSafe WA commissioner Darren Kavanagh said today the prosecution was an important step in an extensive process.

“These prosecutions are the culmination of a thorough investigative process conducted over a period of 13 months,” Mr Kavanagh said.

“As the cases are now in the hands of the courts, WorkSafe will not be making any further comment.”