The fining of two WA construction companies for failing to provide edge protection has prompted a strong - but welcome - response from WorkSafe WA.

Head contractor Morago Nominees Pty Ltd – trading as Gavin Constructions – was fined $4000, and subcontractor Airdas Pty Ltd – trading as Tyrone Bricklaying – was fined $2000 in Armadale Magistrates Court in February.

Two WorkSafe WA inspectors visited the City of Gosnells community centre project in July 2008 and found several areas on the first floor that did not have the required edge protection, putting workers at risk of falls of between 2.9 and 3.1 metres.

WorkSafe WA says Morago Nominees had been given five improvement notices and three prohibition notices between Dec 10, 2007 and February 27, 2008, all relating to the risk of falls.

With seven WA workers dying over the past 15 months as a result of falls and a further 1295 injured each year, WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyne said: “I would expect building companies and bricklayers to be acutely aware of the need to prevent falls.  

“In particular, there was an area on this site where workers were pushing wheelbarrows up a ramp with no edge protection.  Around three metres below them was the concrete ground floor slab onto which they could have fallen.

 “In addition, Morago nominees had already been issued with eight notices for offences relating to a lack of fall protection, and obviously had not got the message.  We hope the fact that they have been prosecuted will finally get the message through."

 WA has had a Code of Practice on Fall Prevention for the past 19 years.

The Commissioner said:  “The current code is comprehensive – providing information on the identification of common fall hazards and the use of fall restraint and fall arrest equipment – and I urge all employers with workplaces that may contain fall hazards to ensure copies of the code are readily available at their workplaces."

 Further information on the prevention of falls can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe WA on 9327 8777 or on the website.