Roofing Company Convicted of Safety Offences & Fined $60,000

A worker was engaged in roofing activities when he fell from a height of about 13 feet and suffered breaks to his heels. He’d been using a travel restraint system that was attached to the roof by half of one nylon anchor strap. But the strap wasn’t wrapped around a structural member, as specified in an instruction manual; instead, it was screwed into wood. When the worker used this system, the strap pulled free from the roof, causing his fall. The worker also hadn’t been trained on the use of the anchor strap. The roofing company was convicted of OHS violation, including failing to ensure all tools and equipment were used in accordance with any operating manuals from the manufacturers and to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect his health and safety. The court fined it $60,000 [Burton Roofing, Govt. News Release, March 24, 2014].