Qld: Building company fined over roof fall

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2000
Qld: Building company fined over roof fall

A Queensland building company has been fined $42,500 after an employee died in a fall
from the roof of a building under construction.

The combined fine was the largest so far imposed for a single fatal workplace accident
under Queensland's Workplace Health and Safety Act.

Casual employee PETER BARNES fell almost six metres through a gap in a roof in October 1998.

Master Ryane Pty Ltd was fined $35,000 while director ROBERT IAN GOODLET was fined
$7,500 over the accident.

Both the company and Mr GOODLET pleaded guilty to failing to minimise the workplace
risk in the Southport Industrial Magistrates Court.

The victim and five other workers were installing roof sheets to an industrial shed
at Bilinga when the accident occurred.

The Division of Workplace Health and Safety alleged the employer failed to provide
meshing, harnesses or other protection against falling from the roof.

AAP RTV jfs/sc/gmw/wz

KEYWORD: FALL (BRISBANE)

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