Macquarie Builders Fined for Worker Injury
A Tasmanian construction company, Macquarie Builders Pty Ltd, has been fined $115,000 after a worker suffered severe injuries in a fall. The incident occurred on April 24, 2019, during the construction of public facilities at Kingston Beach.
The worker was installing timber battens on a mobile scaffold when it slipped and caused him to fall onto a star picket. The fall resulted in "terrible physical and psychological injuries," according to the victim impact statement.
An investigation by WorkSafe Tasmania found that Macquarie Builders failed to ensure the worker's safety and failed to preserve the incident site. The company pleaded guilty to both charges in March.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly acknowledged Macquarie Builders' proactive approach to safety but noted that the company fell short in this instance. He accepted that there was no malicious intent behind the failure to preserve the site.
The incident has had a devastating impact on the worker, leaving him with physical and psychological scars. His dreams have been shattered, and his relationships have been strained.