Illawarra Turf Club Fined $200k After Serious Roof Fall Incident

The Illawarra Turf Club Ltd has been convicted and fined $200,000 in the District Court of New South Wales following a prosecution brought by SafeWork NSW over a serious fall from height at the Kembla Grange Racecourse.

The incident occurred on 22 March 2022, when a worker sustained serious injuries after falling 5.2 metres through a skylight while working on the roof of the grandstand. The case underscores the critical need for effective work health and safety (WHS) management systems and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) when managing work at heights and fragile roof surfaces.

The Illawarra Turf Club Ltd pleaded guilty to an offence under section 32 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, relating to a failure 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 (PCBUs) to provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, a safe working environment, including appropriate risk controls for work at height.

The court’s decision reinforces that PCBUs must identify and control fall risks through measures such as edge protection, fall prevention systems, appropriate access arrangements, and documented procedures. A structured WHS management system, supported by task-specific SWMS for roof work and maintenance, can assist duty holders to systematically manage these risks. Resources such as documented WHS management systems and procedures are available commercially, for example via providers like Bluesafe WHS Management Systems.

The full judgment in this matter is available on the NSW Caselaw website. The Illawarra Turf Club Ltd retains the right to appeal the sentence imposed by the court.

SafeWork NSW has reiterated that falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in workplaces across the state. SafeWork Commissioner Janet Schorer stated that falls from heights are a primary cause of traumatic injuries and fatalities in NSW workplaces, and reminded all businesses of their obligation to ensure workers are adequately protected when performing tasks at height.

Workers who have concerns about health and safety in their workplace can contact SafeWork NSW anonymously on 13 10 50 or via the Speak Up Save Lives online reporting service. Employers and workers can also access practical guidance and tools on managing the risks of working at heights on the SafeWork NSW website, including information on fall prevention, safe systems of work, and WHS policies and procedures.

This case serves as a reminder that proactive risk management, clear policies, and job-specific SWMS for high-risk construction work are essential to preventing falls and ensuring compliance with WHS legislation.