WorkSafe Victoria has been strongly promoting their falls protection campaign since last year, and now will push forward again with renewed vigour after the death of a labourer due to a rooftop fall.
The industry member fell from the roof of an Oakleigh South factory on Corra road. WorkSafe Victoria reports the man was found by workmates at around 9 a.m. the following morning.
WorkSafe’s General Manager of Operations Lisa Sturszenegger continues to stress safety precautions for those working at height after early enquiries into the accident showed that the man is likely to have fallen from a height of five metres while replacing the factory’s damaged roof.
“This is a tragedy for the man, his family and workmates. It should send a message to the entire community – employers and workers alike – that high safety standards must be in place, and applied, at all times,” says Sturzenegger. “The right equipment and training, as well as supervision, risk assessment and equipment maintenance are fundamental parts of having a safe workplace.”
This is the latest in a series of construction industry incidents, with the death toll for workplace accidents at 24 since this time last year.
WorkSafe has launched a new campaign this week to emphasise the need for safety requirements – great and small – to be met at all times. The company’s operations manager has stressed the impact these kinds of incidents have on a personal and industry level.
“It takes a little time and thought to put safe practices in place, but an ongoing effort is needed to ensure they’re consistently maintained,” says Sturzenegger. “The human effects are obvious, but it also costs the community an enormous amount in compensation, treatment and rehabilitation which is ultimately reflected in the costs of goods and services.”
The inquiry into the incident is still in its early stages, with further information and clarification expected as the investigation progresses.
