Macquarie Builders Fined for Worker Injury
A Tasmanian construction company, Macquarie Builders Pty Ltd, has been fined $115,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall. The incident occurred on April 24, 2019, during the construction of public toilets and change rooms at Kingston Beach.
The worker was 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.
WorkSafe Tasmania investigated the incident and found that Macquarie Builders failed to ensure the worker's safety from the risk of serious injury or death. The company also failed to preserve the incident site, which hampered the investigation.
In March, Macquarie Builders was found guilty of the charges. Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly acknowledged the company's proactive approach to safety in general but noted that it fell short in this instance. He accepted that there was no malicious intent behind the failure to preserve the site.
The victim's impact statement described the devastating impact of the incident, including shattered dreams, strained relationships, and lasting physical and psychological scars.