NSW Firm Fined $225k After 11m Fall From Elevated Work Platform
26 June 2026•BlueSafe Team•Source: SafeWork NSW
Mulligan Geotechnical Pty Ltd has been fined $225,000 in the Industrial Court of NSW following a serious fall from an elevated work platform during slope remediation works, highlighting the critical importance of robust WHS management systems for work at height.
Mulligan Geotechnical Pty Ltd has been convicted and ordered to pay a $225,000 fine in the Industrial Court of New South Wales following a prosecution brought by SafeWork NSW. The case stems from a serious work health and safety incident on 15 March 2023, when a worker fell approximately 11 metres from an elevated work platform while carrying out slope remediation activities.
The worker sustained significant injuries as a result of the fall. The court found that Mulligan Geotechnical Pty Ltd failed to adequately manage the risks associated with working at height, exposing the worker to a foreseeable and serious risk of harm.
The company pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), for failing to comply with its primary duty of care to workers under section 19(1) of the Act. This duty requires persons conducting a business or undertaking to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers while they are at work.
The judgment in SafeWork NSW v Mulligan Geotechnical Pty Ltd is publicly available on the NSW Caselaw website and provides detailed findings on the failures that led to the incident, including the management of work at height risks. Mulligan Geotechnical Pty Ltd retains the right to appeal the sentence imposed by the court.
This matter underscores the need for businesses to implement and maintain effective WHS management systems, including safe work method statements (SWMS) for high-risk construction work such as work at height. Comprehensive policies, procedures and documented controls can significantly reduce the likelihood of similar incidents. Resources to assist with WHS management systems are available from specialist providers such as BlueSafe.
SafeWork NSW has reiterated that falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of traumatic injuries and fatalities across New South Wales workplaces. SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer emphasised that all businesses must ensure appropriate controls are in place, including planning, supervision, training, and the correct use of fall protection systems when undertaking work at height.
Workers with concerns about health and safety in their workplace can contact SafeWork NSW anonymously on 13 10 50 or lodge a report through the Speak Up Save Lives online platform. Business owners, PCBUs and workers can also access guidance material, tools and industry-specific information on managing the risks of working from heights via the SafeWork NSW website.
Organisations are strongly encouraged to regularly review their WHS policies, procedures and SWMS for height-related tasks to ensure they remain current, compliant and effective in preventing falls and serious injuries.