NSW Renovator Fined $90k After Garage Roof Collapse Injures Workers
16 July 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
A New South Wales building renovator has been fined $90,000 and ordered to complete formal WHS training after two workers were injured in a fall when a concrete garage roof collapsed during demolition works.
A New South Wales building renovator, George Zanbaka, has been convicted and fined $90,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW following a SafeWork NSW prosecution over a serious fall-from-height incident on a residential site.
The incident occurred on 26 April 2023, when two workers employed by Mr Zanbaka fell at least 2.5 metres after a concrete garage roof collapsed while demolition activities were being carried out. Both workers sustained injuries as a result of the uncontrolled collapse.
Mr Zanbaka pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, relating to a failure to comply with the primary duty of care to workers under section 19(1) of the Act. The case highlights the legal requirement for persons conducting a business or undertaking to identify, manage and control risks associated with working at heights and demolition work.
In addition to the $90,000 fine, the Court ordered Mr Zanbaka to undertake a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety, as well as complete a SafeWork NSW webinar series focused on construction site safety. This reflects the Court's emphasis on improving WHS knowledge, competence and ongoing safety leadership on construction and renovation projects.
The judgment reinforces the importance of robust WHS management systems, documented safe work method statements (SWMS) and clear policies and procedures to control high-risk construction work such as demolition and work at height. Businesses can access template WHS management system resources at Bluesafe Online and SWMS templates at Bluesafe Online SWMS to support compliance and risk management.
The full judgment in this matter is available on the NSW Caselaw website. Mr Zanbaka retains the right to appeal against the sentence imposed by the Industrial Court.
SafeWork NSW has reiterated that falls from heights remain a leading cause of traumatic injuries and fatalities in NSW workplaces, and that preventing fall-related incidents is a key regulatory priority this year. The regulator is again reminding businesses of their duty to ensure workers are adequately protected when working at heights, including through effective planning, risk assessment, engineering controls, fall prevention systems and appropriate supervision.
Workers who have concerns about health and safety in their workplace can raise issues confidentially or anonymously by contacting SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50 or via the Speak Up Save Lives online reporting platform. Both workers and business owners can also access extensive guidance material, tools and industry-specific advice on managing work at height risks on the SafeWork NSW website.