October 2024
This section references the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, which has since been remade as the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025. Any references to clauses of the 2017 Regulation should now be read as references to the corresponding sections in the 2025 Regulation where applicable.
Thomas Bernard Cull
14 October 2024
On 10 December 2020, while workers were pouring a strip footing around base of a 3.6m deep excavation, a section of the excavation collapsed, causing neighbouring homes to suffer major structural damage and partially collapse into the excavation at Bondi Beach.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation the defendant, Thomas Bernand Cull, was charged with a breach of section 32/28(b) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 14 October 2024, the defendant was convicted by the Downing Centre Local Court and fined $30,000.
Neil O’Brien
14 October 2024
On 10 December 2020, while workers were pouring a strip footing around base of a 3.6m deep excavation, a section of the excavation collapsed, causing neighbouring homes to suffer major structural damage and partially collapse into the excavation at Bondi Beach.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation the defendant, Neil O’Brien, was charged with a breach of section 32/28(b) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 14 October 2024, the defendant was convicted by the Downing Centre Local Court and fined $15,000.
JF Building Consultants Pty Ltd
29 October 2024
On 18 March 2023, in Oran Park, an incomplete scaffold was observed with workers accessing the scaffold. On 31 March 2023, the scaffold was observed to be still incomplete but roof eaves had been installed indicating the defendant failed to prevent unauthorised access to it. There was a risk of fall as the scaffold was over 4m in height.
On 4 April 2023, in Box Hill, a worker was observed conducting construction work on an incomplete scaffold with risk to their health and safety from falls of approx. 4.3m to the ground below. The scaffold had not been inspected in over 30 days since the last inspection certificate.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation the defendant, JF Building Consultants Pty Ltd, was charged with a breach of clause 225(5) and 225(3)(c) of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017. The defendant pleaded guilty to the clause 225(3)(c) offence and the clause 225(3)(c) offence was taken into account by the court on a Form 1 list of additional charge.
On 29 October 2024, the defendant was convicted by the Downing Centre Local Court and fined $10,000.
Avant Stone Pty Ltd
31 October 2024
On 20 August 2022, a 56-year old worker was moving stone slabs into storage with an overhead crane when two slabs fell, resulting in fatal crush injuries at Beresfield.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation the defendant, Avant Stone Pty Ltd, was charged with a breach of section 32/19(1) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 31 October 2024, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined $450,000.
21st Century Building Services Pty Ltd
31 October 2024
On 19 August 2020, a section of scaffold surrounding a worksite in Gosford the site collapsed due to wind onto a pedestrian footpath and struck a member of the public. damaging vehicles and a light pole at Gosford.
After a SafeWork NSW investigation the defendant, 21st Century Building Services Pty Ltd, was charged with two breaches of section 32/19(2) of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
On 31 October 2024, the defendant was convicted by the District Court and fined a total of $225,000 for both charges.