A Burwood building company has been fined $210,000 for failing to comply with multiple SafeWork NSW warnings to improve safety practices.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said Chiew Meng Ng, a director of the company, was also fined $42,500 for failing to comply with his responsibilities.
"This company was served with five prohibition notices and four improvement notices by SafeWork inspectors relating to its safety failings. But both parties repeatedly ignored the warnings and continued to do the wrong thing," Mr Kean said.
"That’s just not good enough, and I won’t tolerate such blatant disregard for worker and public safety."
The court heard that PIA Constructions and Engineering Pty Ltd (PIA), a company that specialises in the construction of new homes, entered into contracts with owners in a housing estate at Villawood in 2016.
Mr Kean said the offences occurred between February 2016 and June 2017.
"The notices were issued for unsafe scaffolding, poor housekeeping and inadequate site security at several building sites in the housing estate," Mr Kean said.
"SafeWork inspectors found workers and the public were potentially placed at risk of injury from slips, trips and falls.
"This outcome should serve as a strong reminder to the industry that SafeWork will not be ignored. We will always take action against those who do the wrong thing, and ensure worker safety is put first."
PIA pleaded guilty to nine offences and Mr Ng pleaded guilty to three offences under the Work Health and Safety Act NSW (2011) at Downing Centre Local Court, and were sentenced on 20 November 2018.
Both parties have the right to lodge an appeal.
