Source – WorkSafe Victoria

Two companies have been fined a total of $60,000 after a worker was injured in a fall during construction of a 40-storey building in Southbank.

SG Formwork Pty Ltd and Lubeca Pty Ltd were sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 18 November after each pleading guilty to a single charge under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

SGF was fined $31,000 without conviction for failing to provide or maintain a safe working environment, and ordered to pay $5,276 in costs.

Lubeca was fined $29,000 without conviction for failing to give adequate information on the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of plant it had supplied to a workplace, and ordered to pay $3,898.50 in costs.

The court heard SGF was engaged to perform concrete structure works at the site and engaged Lubeca to design, certify and supply 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.

Lubeca delivered the jumpform to the site but did not inspect it or supply any information to SGF on how to install or use the scaffold system.

In May 2023, a worker was walking across the scaffold 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.

SGF admitted it was reasonably practicable to have ensured work was only carried out from a complete scaffold.

Lubeca admitted it was reasonably practicable to have provided adequate information in relation to the installation of the scaffold – namely that the scaffold hanger brackets were to be securely fixed to the wall form, that scaffold planks were to overhang the end hangers by two metres, and that all fixings were to be inspected for free movement and all handrails in place before the scaffold was used.

WorkSafe Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin urged employers, particularly those in construction, to be more proactive in managing fall risks.

“Falls from height are the number one cause of death in the construction industry, yet there are still duty holders who fail to take the most basic safety steps such as providing instructions or ensuring a scaffold is completely safe before allowing it to be used,” Mr Jenkin said.

“It’s both naïve and unacceptable to assume safety will take care of itself and WorkSafe won’t hesitate to prosecute those who fail to do everything in their power to protect workers from the devastating consequences of falls.”

Steel fixing company Coconut PT Pty Ltd, which employed the injured worker, was convicted and fined $60,000 in relation to the incident in September 2025.

Article for Safe to Work.

The confined spaces of an operation represent a unique air-quality challenge due to the nature of the materials and processes.

Confined space entry remains one of the most hazardous activities in mining operations.

Whether accessing tanks, hoppers, sumps or process vessels, workers face a high-risk environment where dust, toxic gases and oxygen-deficient atmospheres can accumulate quickly and unpredictably, posing an often-underestimated threat to worker health.

A best-practice approach means more than minimum compliance; it requires safety professionals to embed dust suppression and respiratory protection into a broader risk management framework, one that integrates planning, engineering, monitoring and emergency readiness that aligns with access and egress methodologies.

In a mining environment, confined spaces are uniquely challenging due to the nature of the materials and processes involved. Dust generated through cutting, grinding, maintenance or simply disturbing residual build-up can linger in still air, potentially exposing workers to hazardous particles that damage lungs and increase the risk of long-term illness. Confined spaces, with limited access, poor natural ventilation, and potential for rapid atmospheric change, magnify the risk. The presence of oxygen-deficient air, flammable vapours or toxic gases like hydrogen sulphide or carbon monoxide pose further risks.

This complex environment demands a multi-layered control strategy, one built on strong risk assessment, robust planning and a commitment to continuous monitoring and response.

Best practice starts with treating confined space hazards as a high-consequence risk, requiring controls that are proactive and resilient. While standards such as AS 2865 (Confined Spaces), AS/NZS 1715 (Respiratory Protection), and the Model WHS Regulations provide a framework, they must be applied with context-specific insight and a willingness to go further when risk justifies it.

In mining, best practice means looking beyond administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) to engineer risk out of the task such as whether a dusty process can be performed outside the space, or substituted with a safer alternative. Where entry is unavoidable, the focus shifts to controlling the environment and equipping workers with the knowledge, tools and support to manage respiratory risks.

Reducing airborne hazards through physical control of dust at the source, such as integrating water-based suppression systems, can significantly reduce the release of fine particles into the air.

Vacuum extraction also plays a critical role. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, combined with explosion-proof equipment, allows for safe removal of dust without the risks associated with compressed air blowdowns, which often spread contaminants rather than remove them.

Tailored ventilation in mining must be planned, not improvised. Applying forced air, either as extraction to create negative pressure or as clean air supply, ensures continuous airflow and prevents stagnation.

Where residual risk remains, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) becomes essential with  selected equipment that matches the hazard, fits the worker, compliments other PPE without compromising performance.

Properly fitted P2 or P3 filters are the minimum requirement for most dust hazards, but higher-risk environments may demand powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), while supplied-air respirators (SARs) or self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) are mandatory in oxygen-deficient or unknown atmospheres.

Crucially, all RPE use must be supported by a formal respiratory protection program. That means conducting fit-testing, training workers, maintaining equipment, and regularly reviewing performance.

Effective risk management continues through real-time monitoring, clear communication and embedded emergency capability. Atmospheric testing must be performed before and during entry, not just for dust but for oxygen levels and toxic gases.

Permits should reflect a deep understanding of the task, space and risk controls. They should require validation of controls, confirmation of ventilation effectiveness, and assurance that rescue capability is in place and ready to respond.

Emergency planning, especially in mining, must factor in respiratory protection for rescuers as well.

The Working at Heights Association of Australia’s (WAHA) position underscores the importance of integrating respiratory controls into confined space rescue planning, not as an afterthought but as a core design element.

Best practice is about culture, and a strong safety culture in mining recognises that confined space work is a unique event that demands planning, engagement  and technical control.

That culture is supported by investment in training, by empowering supervisors to challenge unsafe plans, and by giving teams the time and tools to do the job right.

By embedding best practice into confined space entry, particularly in the areas of dust suppression and respiratory protection, mining organisations not only protect workers from harm but also build resilience into their operations, reduce downtime and improve compliance confidence.

Managing dust and respiratory hazards in confined spaces isn’t simply a compliance exercise; it’s a test of an organisation’s safety maturity. In mining, where the risks are amplified and the consequences are severe, adopting best practice approaches is both a duty of care and a business imperative.

WAHA’s guidance, coupled with existing standards, offers a pathway toward safer, smarter confined space work. By applying the hierarchy of controls with intent, investing in engineering solutions, and embedding respiratory protection into the broader system of work, safety professionals can lead a transformation in how confined space hazards are addressed, one that places prevention at the centre and people at the forefront. 

– by Scott Barber, chief executive officer, WAHA.