WorkSafe is prosecuting EMCO Building and Firm Construction over structural collapses resulting in worker injuries and has fined a bricklaying company $600,000.
WorkSafe is prosecuting Perth-based contractors EMCO Building and Firm Construction over separate incidents that resulted in worker injuries, and has fined a bricklaying company $600,000.
Perth building company Swinging Bricklayers has been hit with a $600,000 fine after a worker was seriously injured when a concrete staircase collapsed on him at an Alkimos secondary school.
Swinging Bricklayers was convicted in the Perth Magistrates Court last week over its failure to provide and maintain a safe work environment and causing serious harm to a worker.
Merym, trading as Emco Building, was the main contractor for the school’s construction and has been prosecuted and will go to trial in July.
The incident occurred at the secondary school when the contractors were required to build load-bearing brick walls under concrete stairs needed on two double-storey buildings.
After the concrete stairs were formed, temporary steel propping was installed to hold the stairs in place while the framework was removed.
The contractors removed the steel props that were supporting the weight of one staircase without any issues, which was later demolished and rebuilt.
When removing the steel props from under the second staircase, the structure began to crack and the stairs collapsed onto one of the bricklayers.
An excavator had to be used to move concrete off the bricklayer, which caused him to suffer from a crushed pelvis and serious internal injuries that resulted in ongoing health issues.
WorkSafe commissioner Darren Kavanagh said the incident involved serious deficiencies in risk assessment, communication and instruction.
“Swinging Bricklayers knew of the hazard involved in removing the props from under the staircase but did not at any stage act to ensure that the workers were not exposed to that hazard,” he said.
“The bricklayers should have been provided with adequate information and instructions, and the company’s Safe Work Method Statement should have specifically identified the work that was required on the day of this incident.
“Swinging’s general manager, who was in charge of directing the workers, failed to conduct a risk assessment of the work to be completed on the day of the incident.
“If he had, he should’ve realised that the props were supporting the weight of the staircase.”
WorkSafe has also launched prosecution action against Perth-based company Firm Construction after two workers suffered serious injuries at a construction site on Rottnest Island.
The construction company has been charged with failing to maintain a safe working environment and causing serious harm to two employees.
In 2020, workers employed by Firm were completing construction work in the Hotel Rottnest Resort development when temporary formwork collapsed, seriously injuring one worker and injuring other.
A further five workers were in the area when the collapse occurred but were not injured.
The charges will be heard in Fremantle Magistrates Court on March 31.
