A plumbing business in Punchbowl has been fined $75,000 after a worker fatally fell more than eight metres through a warehouse roof.
On 31 January 2016, a Opcon Plumbing Pty Ltd worker was replacing asbestos roof sheeting and installing new roof safety mesh and insulation at a warehouse in Greenacre.
While the 61-year-old employee was working, a sheet of asbestos roofing broke, causing him to fall 8.7 metres through the roof onto a concrete floor. The man, who had 42 years’ experience as a plumber, suffered fatal injuries and died.
Safe Work Executive Director, Tony Williams, said Opcon Plumbing Pty Ltd was sentenced this month at the Sydney District Court for failing to comply with health and safety laws.
"All roof sheeting should be treated as fragile until a competent person has confirmed they are not," Mr Williams said.
"Opcon Plumbing should have prevented the man from walking on the asbestos roof sheets, as well as ensuring the worker was using an individual fall restraint system."
Mr Williams said the risks were even higher because the existing roof safety mesh was in the process of being removed.
"This tragedy should serve as a strong reminder to all businesses that worker safety should always be the number one priority," Mr Williams said.
In 2017-18 SafeWork NSW successfully prosecuted 59 businesses for failing to protect the health and safety of its workers. Opcon Plumbing has the right to lodge an appeal.
