Glass company fined $1 million over safety breach - 12.5.17

A window glass company has been fined $1 million following an incident in which a contractor sustained an electric shock while working on a window ledge at a residential apartment construction site in South Hurstville on 19 June 2014.

The company was fined on Friday in the NSW District Court. This is the highest fine imposed ever in NSW under the Work Health and Safety Act.

The 49-year-old man was installing a piece of aluminium to the outside of a window when the power jumped to the metal from nearby 33,000-volt power lines feeding the Illawarra train line.

The company was charged with a breach of the Work Health and Safety Act, following an investigation by SafeWork NSW.

Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean welcomed the decision to fine the company $1 million.

“No matter what kind of work you do, everyone who has a job in NSW has a right to a safe workplace,” Mr. Kean said.

“SafeWork NSW plays a vital role in protecting workers, through important education programs and taking legal action against employers who breach relevant legislation.

“I commend SafeWork NSW for bringing this matter to court and highlighting the importance of working safely around power lines,” he said.

Source: OHS News