Manager fined $60k over death of young worker

Manager Fined $60k Over Death of Young Worker

A construction company manager was recently found guilty of failing to provide a safe work environment after a teen worker fell to his death at a Perth construction site. This case highlights how critical fall protection and risk assessment remain across the construction industry.

The 17-year-old man was working on a roof in January 2017 when he fell through a gap. A Magistrate court judge said the fatal incident happened with the manager's "consent or was attributable to his neglect." He was fined $60,000 and ordered to pay $45,813.50 in costs.

WorkSafe Commissioner Response on Safety Breach

WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh said failing to provide fall protection was a serious safety breach.

"There was no adequate risk assessment for the glass installation and no Safe Work Method Statement was implemented," Mr Kavanagh said.

Why This Case Matters for Workplace Safety

Incidents like this underscore why robust safety documentation and consistent risk management practices matter for every construction site. Falls from height remain among the leading causes of serious injury and death in the building trade, making proper planning essential before work begins.

Similar prosecutions have followed other preventable tragedies, including a case where a builder was fined $100K over a worker fall, and another where an operator faced penalties over the death of an NT mine worker. Each case reinforces the same lesson: adequate supervision and documented safe work procedures save lives.

Supporting Documentation for Safer Workplaces

Businesses managing young or inexperienced workers can strengthen their compliance posture with tools such as a worker agreement policy, alongside communication and monitoring resources like an isolated worker communication log. Comprehensive worker contractor manuals also help clarify expectations for site personnel and subcontractors alike.

Read more news on the WorkSafe WA website.