Companies fined $590,000 after worker falls 10 metres from roof
03 Mar 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Two companies have been convicted and fined a total of $590,000 after a worker suffered serious injuries in a roof fall. The District Court of NSW imposed the penalties following a SafeWork NSW prosecution.
Pendle Ham and Bacon Pty Ltd was fined $320,000 and PHBC LH Pty Ltd was fined $270,000 over the incident.
The worker was cleaning a roof above a retail store on 22 May 2021 when they tripped on a skylight and fell about 10 metres, suffering serious injuries.
Pendle Ham and Bacon Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to two offences under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. One concerned its failure to comply with its duty to workers under section 19(1), and the other concerned its duty under section 20(2) to ensure a workplace was without risks to health and safety.
PHBC LH Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to one offence under section 32 of the Act for failing to comply with its duty to workers under section 19(1). Both companies have the right to appeal their sentences. The full judgment is available on the NSW Caselaw website.
SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer said: “Falls from heights are a primary cause of traumatic injuries and fatalities at NSW workplaces.”
“SafeWork NSW reminds all businesses of their duty to ensure their workers are protected when working at heights.”
Workers with workplace health and safety concerns can contact SafeWork NSW anonymously on 13 10 50 or through the Speak Up Save Lives website. Resources for business owners and workers on managing work-at-height risks are available on the SafeWork NSW website.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free SWMS tool can help businesses prepare a safe work method statement for high-risk construction work involving falls from heights. Create a free SWMS