Maintaining a safe workplace is not just a way to stop injuries, it is also the law.

A NSW construction company and a roofing company were fined a combined $1.05m following a fatal electrocution in 2019.

Contact with electricity is just behind falls from heights as the leading causes of traumatic injuries and deaths at work in NSW.

In February 2019, two labourers were removing steel handrails from the roof of a Moorebank warehouse when a metal handrail contacted nearby high-voltage power lines.

A 25-year-old man holding the handrail fell onto his back and his workmate ran to his aid and tried to kick the handrail out of his hands. The 25-year-old died on the roof and the other worker suffered serious burns to his legs.

Riverwall Constructions was engaged to replace the damaged roof on which the workers were working. Riverwall oversaw the project at the site and subcontracted Perry’s Roofing Pty Ltd to replace the roof.

Riverwall Constructions was fined $600,000 and Perry’s Roofing was fined $450,000 after they were convicted in District Court for failing to comply with their work health and safety duty.

SafeWork Executive Director Compliance & Dispute Resolution Matthew Press said the case was a reminder to all businesses they must work to identify hazards, including nearby powerlines, and work to manage risks to health and safety.

“Businesses must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no person, plant or thing at the workplace comes within an unsafe distance of an overhead power line. To avoid these types of incidents, consult with the electricity supply authority to have the power isolated. They can assess the site and advise of appropriate controls that you should adhere to. If you can’t avoid working near overhead power lines, you need to properly assess and control the risks to workers,” he said.

Small business owners and sole traders are reminded they can apply for a NSW Government rebate of up to $1,000 to make their workplaces safer with $1 million recently added to the Small Business Rebate Program. Further information about the Small Business Rebate Program.

For help ensuring your workplace safety practices are of the highest standard, call the MEA Safety Hotline. Speak direct to an expert, phone 1300 889 198.

More from MEA

Sparkie shocked due to unsafe work

Inspectors to target electrical safety