Media Release: JB Slab Pty Ltd convicted of WHS offence
21 February 2025
Today, JB Slab Pty Ltd was convicted of a Category 2 offence by the ACT Industrial Court Magistrate. Initially fined $300,000, the penalty was reduced to $225,000 due to a guilty plea.
In December 2024, Mr Jasvir Singh, the sole director JB Slab Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a 24 May 2022 incident, where a worker was trapped after a 'Rediwall' structure, which had not been properly constructed or braced, collapsed.
The untrained worker from a non-English speaking background was injured on his first day of work.
The defendant had braced the ‘Rediwall’ in an ad-hoc manner and contrary to manufacturer recommendations. Following the concrete pour, the ‘Rediwall’ formwork fell, and in the process a worker became trapped between the collapsed wall and adjacent embankment. Initial attempts to free the injured worker were unsuccessful. The worker was only freed after a bobcat was used to shift surrounding soil and a concrete cutter was used to cut into the collapsed wall.
WHS Commissioner Jacqui Agius extends her sympathy to the injured worker.
“First and foremost, my thoughts go out to the injured worker who was a vulnerable worker. They had only been in our country for 2 weeks and they spoke limited English. This was their first day on the job. They had no training, no white card, no asbestos training and no site induction.”
Commissioner Agius says the failings from JB Slab Pty Ltd were unacceptable and that it was only through sheer luck and the swift actions of bystanders that a potentially tragic outcome was avoided.
“There was an easy fix which would have avoided this incident entirely. The PCBU used wooden props which were spliced together. The manufacturing requirements were steel adjustable props which cost roughly between $90 and $140 and are reusable. The wall was approximately 5 metres wide and 2.7 high and weighed about 5 tonnes. There is no excuse for these types of safety breaches.”
“This is a sobering reminder that when you cut corners with work health and safety, the consequences can become life-threatening in moments. Next time, we may not be able to rely on luck or quick-thinking bystanders.”
Ms Agius says that today’s outcome will hopefully send a clear message to all businesses:
Shortcuts with WHS always come at a cost.
Statement ends.
WorkSafe ACT Media team
0466 927 213
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