Source: SafeWork Victoria

A steel fixing company has been convicted and fined $60,000 after a worker was injured in a fall during construction of a 40-storey building in Southbank.

Coconut PT Pty Ltd was sentenced ex parte in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 11 September after being found guilty of failing to ensure work was carried out from a complete scaffold, and failing to ensure high-risk construction work was performed in accordance with a safe work method statement (SWMS).

The company was also ordered to pay $5,276 in costs.

The court heard Coconut PT was engaged to perform steel fixing works inside a jumpform, which included a scaffold system consisting of hanger brackets and planks that created temporary walking platforms. The certified design of the scaffold required the hangers to be fixed to wall forms with nails.

In May 2023, a worker was walking across the platform when it failed. He fell more than two metres to the jumpform floor, and the plank he had been standing on landed on top of him.

The worker was transported to hospital with a fractured lower back and spine, a fractured knee and a torn knee ligament.

WorkSafe’s investigation found the scaffold was incomplete due to hanger brackets not being securely fixed to the wall form – some had only a single nail or no nail at all – and because the scaffold had no perimeter protection in the form of handrails installed.

The court found it was reasonably practicable for Coconut PT to ensure no work occurred on an incomplete scaffold, and that high-risk construction work was performed in accordance with the prepared SWMS which required perimeter protection such as handrails.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said bringing down injuries and deaths in the construction industry was a major focus of WorkSafe’s strategic approach to reducing workplace harm.

“Each year hundreds of construction workers are seriously injured or killed in incidents that could’ve been avoided with the right safety measures in place – including the adequate use of fall prevention measures and safe work method statements.”

“WorkSafe will continue to take the strongest possible enforcement action against employers who don’t take their obligations seriously and allow workers pay the price for their safety failures.”

In 2023, almost 30 workers lost their lives due to falls from heights – making up to 15% of all workplace fatalities. Falls from height are now the second leading cause of workplace deaths, following vehicle-related incidents. The construction industry accounted for 45% of these fatalities.

These numbers highlight the ongoing risks faced by people working at heights and the urgent need for better safety systems, clearer guidance, and reliable equipment. Two key standards – AS 5532 and AS/NZS 1891.4 – have recently been updated to help address these issues and improve safety outcomes.

AS 5532: Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor device used for harness-based work at height

This standard outlines how anchor points (used to secure safety harnesses) should be designed and tested. These anchors are essential for anyone working on roofs or elevated surfaces.

The revision addresses a key limitation in the previous version, which did not support installation on many types of timber and steel purlin roofs. The updated version now supports installation on a wider range of structures, making it easier for workers like solar installers, roof cleaners, and maintenance crews to use safe, approved anchor points in the right locations.

The revision also helps reduce risks such as swing falls and free falls and supports more sustainable practices. 

AS/NZS 1891.4: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices, Part 4: Selection, use and maintenance

This standard provides updated guidance on selecting, using, and maintaining fall-arrest equipment, like harnesses, lanyards, and lifelines.

The changes help designers, managers, and users make informed decisions based on the latest industry practices and testing standards. This reduces the risk of using incorrect or outdated equipment and improves safety for workers.

Importantly, the update does not add extra costs for users. While training materials may be revised to reflect the new guidance, no additional training beyond current requirements is expected.

These updates are designed to make height safety equipment easier to use, more reliable, and better suited to today’s building materials and work environments. By aligning safety standards with current industry needs, they help ensure workers are protected and that safety systems are practical and effective.

If you have a Small Business Set Subscription; the 1891.4 standard will automatically update. 

If you have purchased the previous standards you will need to re-purchase the standards.

Stay tuned for further news about these changes in the coming days.

Source: SafeWork SA

Two South Australian companies have agreed to make more than $580,000 in safety improvements after a worker was seriously injured in a fall from height at an Adelaide Hills building site.

SafeWork SA last month accepted Enforceable Undertakings (EU) from home builder AMS Built Pty Ltd and building products manufacturer and supplier Ruediger Constructions Pty Ltd.

The improvements agreed to in the Enforceable Undertakings will enhance safety at the companies involved, the construction industry as a whole and the broader community.

An EU is a written, legally binding commitment to implement effective work health and safety initiatives. These initiatives are designed to deliver tangible benefits for workers, industry, and the community as a whole and to resolve the issue that led to the EU.

The two EUs follow an April 2023 incident at an AMS Built double-storey residential construction site in Stirling where a Ruediger Constructions worker suffered serious injuries after falling 3.5 metres through an unguarded stair void onto the ground floor concrete slab.

The worker regained full work capacity in October 2023 and has since taken up a new role within the sector.

As the principal builder, AMS Built engaged Ruediger Constructions to provide first fix carpentry services for the residential construction project.

SafeWork SA was notified and issued an enforcement notice prohibiting work and access to the upper floor of the building.

An investigation was conducted by SafeWork SA where it was alleged that AMS Built and Ruediger Constructions committed Category 2 offences under the Work Health and Safety Act, 2012 (SA).

SafeWork SA alleged AMS Built failed to provide and maintain a safe work environment by failing to ensure the stair void was guarded prior to work being undertaken on the first floor.

It was alleged Ruediger Constructions failed to identify the hazard presented by working on the first floor of the site containing an unguarded stair void and failed to provide and maintain a safe system of work because it failed to ensure measures were in place to eliminate and/or minimise the identified risk.

The two companies applied to the Regulator to consider their application for an Enforceable Undertaking.

AMS Built and Ruediger Constructions understand the characterisation of an allegation that could be made with respect to the incident. The EU was accepted by the Regulator in August 2025.

AMS Built’s EU was accepted by SafeWork on 5 August 2025. It includes a total minimum spend of $207,233.

Initiatives include:

• Developing a working from heights safety video and promoting it on social media via a paid advertising campaign.
• Employing a WHS adviser/administrator to administer WHS functions and ensure compliance with relevant WHS legislation, regulations, and guidelines.
• Hiring a new site co-ordinator to better manage operations and to attend to site safety requirements and co-ordination.
• Purchasing a drone to conduct site safety overviews and assessments.

Ruediger Construction’s EU was also agreed to on 5 August and includes a total minimum spend on safety improvements of $373,120.

Initiatives include:

• Purchasing a scissor lift, platform ladders and new harnesses to minimise the need for workers to work from A-frame ladders.
• Employing a general WHS manager to administer WHS functions and ensure compliance with WHS legislation, regulations, and guidelines.
• Conducting a company-wide safety training day with a focus on WHS in the residential construction industry in conjunction with AMS Built and its subcontractors to spread awareness of safe work practices.

The community aspect of the Ruediger Constructions EU includes a sponsored “Industry Safety Round” of football matches at Willaston Football Club during the Barossa Light & Gawler Association’s 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Industry Safety Round guernseys will be worn by Willaston Football Club players during the round, from Under-13s up to the A-grade.

The guernseys will include workplace safety messaging and Industry Safety Round medals/trophies will be awarded to the best players on each day.

SafeWork SA can apply to the Magistrates Court for an order if a company contravenes an EU agreement.

SafeWork SA has developed comprehensive guidance material in consultation with the SafeWork SA Advisory Committee to assist EU Applicants preparing their applications.

This material focuses on priority areas highlighted by the Regulator and can be particularly useful for applicants who struggle to identify activities that relate to the risk that led to the event in question.

Attribute to SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell:

Entering into Enforceable Undertakings with these two companies is the preferred enforcement option in this case due to the opportunity to achieve far-reaching safety benefits for companies in the residential construction industry and the broader community.

The introduction of an Industry Safety Round during the Barossa Light & Gawler Association’s 2026 and 2027 seasons is a great opportunity to promote important safety messages to a new audience.

SafeWork SA is committed to working with companies to develop Enforceable Undertakings as an alternative to prosecution where appropriate.

This is demonstrated through the development of new resources designed to help businesses prepare their EU applications.