Source: SafeWork NSW

Richard Crookes Constructions Pty Ltd was the principal contractor at a construction site in Belrose NSW. ​

On 29 April 2020 form workers attended the site and removed panels covering penetrations in preparation for installing columns at the construction site. The form workers then flipped the panels to cover the penetrations.

However, the flipped panels were not adequately secured to the formwork deck, and they were not marked to indicate their purpose as a penetration cover.  ​

A crane crew entered the site and was assisting with loading materials onto the formwork decks. A worker from the crane crew stepped on one of the flipped panels, the panel gave way, and he fell through the penetration.

He fell approximately 2.9 metres sustaining serious injuries.
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Richard Crookes Constructions Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and was fined $150,000.

Richard Crookes Constructions Pty Ltd has the right to appeal this sentence.