Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 12 December 2006

Demolition business operator fined for lack of demolition licence

The operator of a demolition business has been fined $1200 for carrying out demolition work without a licence.

Paul Steven Wessels – trading as Wes’s Demolition & Salvage – pleaded guilty in the Northam Magistrates Court last week to performing demolition work without being the holder of an appropriate demolition licence.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that the licensing system for demolition work in WA was introduced for very good reasons.

“The licensing of demolition contractors was implemented to help ensure that the hazardous work of demolition would be performed in safe manner,” Ms Lyhne said.

“Company owners and operators and employers who hold demolition licences have been through an assessment process to ensure they are familiar with the safety issues and the safe work practices required for demolition work.

“In this case, the demolition work undertaken at the Northam Race Club involved a two-storey building and a race observation tower 10 or more metres high, work that could only legally have been performed by a licensed person.

“Neither the business operator nor any person he engaged to assist him in the work had been issued with either a Class 1 or Class 2 demolition licence.

“The case serves as a reminder to anyone involved in undertaking demolition work that they need to check if the work requires a licence, as they will be leaving themselves open to prosecution if they flout the laws. 

Further information on demolition licences can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777.