A safety inspector agreed to rescind more than $11,000 in fines after an MEA Field Support Advisor helped an electrical contractor overhaul his company’s safety knowledge.

The below is based on a recent event. Only the member details and area have been concealed to maintain privacy.

A Master Electrician was recently issued with three infringement notices, including fines, after a government safety inspector observed a worker attempted to access a single-storey roof using a step ladder.

The worker had signed onto the contractors’ Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for the task.

In this instance, the SWMS clearly outlined that:

• when accessing a roof, an extension ladder was to be used
• the ladder was to protrude one metre past the roof line
• the ladder was to be secured at the top and bottom to prevent the ladder sliding.

When questioned by the Inspector why he was using a step ladder, it became evident the worker was not aware of their responsibilities or what was written in the SWMS even though the worker had signed onto it.

The member approached their MEA Field Support Advisor (FSA) for assistance and advice.

The inspector requested that all workers be trained and assessed for competency and understanding in all the company’s’ SWMS, not just their Working at Heights SWMS.

The FSA spoke to the inspector who had issued the infringement penalties and offered to conduct training on the Heights SWMS by way of a presentation, formal written assessment and observation of all workers setting up and climbing a ladder correctly.

The inspector was very impressed and commended our member for bringing in MEA as a third party to assist in addressing the issue and advised if this occurred and evidence was supplied to him, he would rescind all infringements.

With MEA’s assistance, a safety meeting with all workers was conducted and an assessment of competency undertaken. 

As a direct result of MEA’s involvement and assistance, the PCBU has better managed his responsibility as an employer to ensure his workers understand their responsibilities and are competent when undertaking tasks.

In addition, the member had over $11,000 in fines rescinded, money the business can better use to invest in improving their Safety Systems.

MEA will continue to work with this member as they have requested we attend on a regular basis to assist in improving their workers’ knowledge with all things safety.

This incident outlines the importance of both PCBU’s and workers having a clear understanding of their responsibilities with SWMS and demonstrates how all parties can benefit from what was initially a ‘cut and dry’ infringement for a breach of safety regulatory requirements with substantial monetary penalties.

In the end this was a win-win situation for the business, workers and inspectorate, as increased knowledge and safe practices have been the result with no-one injured or punished.

MEA’s FSA team are ready to assist members. Contact MEA on 1300 889 198 for details.

Access more information about ME Safety