Fatal falls: two deaths in two days

20 June 2008

WorkSafe is investigating the deaths of two men in two days after falling from height at work.

A 60-year-old Blackburn South man died in hospital on Wednesday after falling from racking at a Nunawading business on June 3.

Yesterday, a 62-year-old Preston painter fell through a ceiling between the first and second storeys of a Templestowe house that was being renovated. He died in hospital several hours later.

WorkSafe’s Executive Director, John Merritt, said falls were among the biggest killers in Victorian workplaces and called on all employers to ensure risks were minimised. 

“While we are at an early stage with our investigations into the two most recent deaths, it is clear from our general experience that the risk of falls from height are not being adequately addressed.

“People can die or suffer permanent injuries from falls at relatively low heights.

“The risk increases the higher you go, yet it is not uncommon to find people using dangerous ladders or not using some means of fall prevention.  

“This is a critical matter, particularly for the construction, retail, manufacturing, and warehousing industries.

With many businesses to soon begin annual stocktaking in store-rooms and warehouses, now is the time to ensure safe practices are in place and the right equipment is provided.

“Failing to understand your obligations and applying high standards is a short cut to disaster,” Mr Merritt said.

WorkSafe has campaign on fall prevention for many years, produced guidance material and promoted the issue.

There have been 19 fatal falls in Victoria since the start of 2003.

Over the past five financial years more than 7500 injuries involving falls from height have been reported to WorkSafe.

Construction industry under the microscope: In the 2006-2007 financial year, 13 Australian construction workers died after falling from height, four of those were in Victoria. More than 620 Australian construction workers are hospitalised each year due to falls.

A general requirement to provide and maintain a safe workplace has been in place since 1985 while construction-specific regulations for working at height have been in place for several years.

Targeting falls prevention in construction during February and March this year WorkSafe inspectors issued 37 Prohibition Notices and 26 Improvement Notices in visits to 185 Victorian building sites. Another 88 fall prevention issues were rectified while inspectors were present.

On 13 occasions, they saw situations so dangerous that they ordered work to immediately stop.

Related Information

WorkSafe has produced a number of publications targeting fall prevention. They can be found in the ‘publications’ section of WorkSafe’s website www.worksafe.vic.gov.au, or call the Advisory Service on 1800 136 089.