John Holland charged over reservoir fall
27 August 2025
Construction company John Holland has been charged with breaching federal work health and safety laws after a worker suffered serious injuries in a fall.
Following a Comcare investigation, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has filed a single charge alleging John Holland Pty Ltd failed in its duties under the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act).
The incident happened on 25 August 2023 at the Helensburgh Reservoir, south of Sydney, where John Holland was Sydney Water’s principal contractor to complete relining and roof replacement works.
A contracted worker from an abrasive blasting firm was cleaning and removing debris from the top of the reservoir when he fell more than six metres to the floor, suffering multiple fractures to his ribs and spine.
The charge alleges John Holland failed to take a range of measures to eliminate or minimise the risks of working at height, including:
- Ensuring a risk assessment was conducted and that it identified fall risks and appropriate control measures
- Directing that further control measures, such as signage, be implemented in relation to the risk of falls from internal scaffolding
- Implementing control measures such as regular inspections to ensure handrails on scaffolding remained installed.
The charge is a Category 2 offence under the WHS Act, carrying a maximum penalty of $1.5 million.
The matter is listed for mention in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on 16 September.
John Holland Pty Ltd is a licenced national employer in the Comcare scheme and subject to regulation under Commonwealth work health and safety laws.
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