Tradie fractured skull in grim pool fall east of Perth
Terry Dunn was working on a CASM Construction site in Woottating, 65 kilometres east of Perth, on December 14, 2021 when he fell head-first into a 2.2m deep empty concrete swimming pool that was under construction.
Mr Dunn suffered a fractured skull, six broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken shoulder requiring a lengthy rehabilitation, including 41 days in Royal Perth Hospitals intensive care unit.
CASM Construction pleaded guilty to failing to ensure workers were not exposed to hazards and, by that failure, causing serious harm to a worker, and was fined $750,000 in Northam Magistrates Court on Monday.
Former company director Shane Lynn also pleaded guilty to neglect and was fined $45,000 during the same court appearance.
However, the court acknowledged that with CASM currently in liquidation and Lynn bankrupt, it was unlikely either fine would be paid.
At the time of the incident, there were no barriers restricting access to the pool area after scaffolding was removed a month prior and not reinstalled.
WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said the incident should serve as a reminder of the importance of guarding against fall risks in workplaces.
'A fall from height was identified as a moderate risk in CASM's Site Specific Safety Management Plan, with special consideration required for swimming pools, however the pool was left uncovered for a substantial period of time which created the risk that led to this serious incident,' Ms North said.
'The incident is a timely reminder that it is the duty of anyone in charge of a workplace to conduct a thorough risk assessment before work begins and to put controls in place to reduce the risk of injury to workers and others.
'It's also a reminder of the sizeable penalties that can be faced by a person conducting a business or undertaking who fails to protect workers or other people at a workplace from risks to their health or safety.'
AMB Consolidated – the company that engaged CASM Construction to supervise and manage the building works - has also been prosecuted over the incident and will next appear in court on September 22.
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Tradie fractured skull in grim pool fall east of Perth
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