A Sydney-based business has been convicted and fined $150,000 after a worker was seriously injured while helping to replace roofing at a company job site in 2019.

Head of SafeWork NSW Natasha Mann said Advanced Roofing Sydney Pty Ltd was sentenced in the NSW District Court for failing to ensure as far as reasonably practicable the health and safety of workers.

“This is a case where the court heard a worker fell while helping to replace roof sheeting over the indoor gymnasium at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, Sydney,” Ms Mann said.

“On the day the incident occurred there were numerous voids in the roof where roof sheeting had been removed and while they were covered in black plastic there were no secure plywood covers.”

The court heard the 22-year-old worker was helping to carry some roof sheeting when he fell through a void covered in black plastic and fell more than eight meters onto a basketball court below, suffering serious injuries.

“Safety measures were adopted at the job site after the incident,” Ms Mann said.

“The use of individual safety harnesses was enforced for workers on a high roof or within two metres of an exposed area, and secure plywood covers were installed over the numerous voids in the roof.”

Advanced Roofing Sydney Pty Ltd has a right to appeal the sentence which was handed down on 14 September 2022.

Workers and businesses are urged to take a zero-tolerance approach to risks of falls and injuries in workplaces. People can do more to stop accidents before they happen with the NSW Government’s free Speak Up and Save Lives app. Click here to find out more about the app.

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 can be found here.