A construction firm has been sentenced by the Regional Labor Court of Jundiaí, São Paulo, to pay R$ 1.5 million in collective moral damages after an employee died while working on a luxury condominium site. The tragic incident occurred in June 2023 when the employee was struck by a dump truck loaded with over a ton of gravel that fell from a height of ten meters. Reports suggest that the accident was a result of inadequate maintenance of the truck, specifically, a support bar that failed to hold the load's weight.

The court's decision not only involves financial restitution but also mandates the construction company, Grupo Santa Ângela, to implement immediate safety measures across all their work sites. The company must comply with 14 specific safety protocols, and should they fail to do so, a daily fine of R$ 50,000 will be imposed until compliance is achieved. This ruling underscores the importance of ensuring workplace safety to prevent similar incidents and holds companies accountable for failures in operational safety practices.

The damages awarded will be directed to public social assistance entities designated by the Labor Public Ministry, reflecting a broader commitment to community welfare following workplace tragedies. Grupo Santa Ângela has indicated that they will provide a statement regarding the court's decision. This case serves as a crucial reminder of the legal and moral responsibilities companies carry to protect their employees and uphold safety standards in the construction industry.