South Australian tribunal issues $150k in fines after worker falls from roof and dies

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An Adelaide asbestos company has been slapped with a $150,000 fine for breach of workplace safety rules under section 32 of the WHS Act 2012 (SA). This case highlights the ongoing risk of working at height in industries handling hazardous materials such as asbestos roofing.

The charges relate to an incident in which a 58-year-old man fell through an asbestos roof to his death in March 2021. SafeWork SA said the man "was working on a crawl board placed over asbestos roof sheeting, which in turn was resting on timber rafters forming a veranda to a residential dwelling."

The worker fell about 2.5 metres onto concrete after a rafter snapped beneath him, triggering an emergency response that ultimately could not save his life. This tragic outcome underscores why height safety management remains a critical priority for organisations working with fragile or hazardous roofing materials.

South Australian tribunal issues $150k in fines after worker falls from roof and dies

The South Australian Employment Tribunal found the company had a legal duty to ensure its employees remained safe at work, particularly when tasks involve height and exposure to hazardous asbestos sheeting.

Effective safety management requires employers to identify risks associated with working at height before assigning tasks on fragile roofing. Proper risk assessments, fall protection systems, and safety management plans could have reduced the danger this worker faced.

Why Height Safety Management Matters

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities across construction and related sectors. Robust safety management practices, including OHS training and hazard identification, are essential for reducing this risk.

• Conduct thorough risk assessments before any work at height begins
• Ensure crawl boards and access equipment are rated for the load and surface conditions
• Implement OHS procedures specific to hazardous materials such as asbestos
• Provide emergency response training for site supervisors and workers
• Maintain documented safety management plans reviewed regularly by health and safety officers

Organisations managing asbestos removal or roofing work should integrate height safety management into broader OHS frameworks. For related guidance, see our Falls Management Plans resource, which outlines practical steps for reducing fall-related risk.

Similar Incidents in Recent News

This case is not isolated. Recent news coverage has highlighted several similar tragedies, reinforcing the need for stronger safety management across the roofing and construction sectors.

• Melbourne worker dies after falling from roof
• Safety warning issued after VIC worker falls from roof
• Worker dies in hospital after falling from roof at Melbourne school

Each of these news reports points to a recurring pattern: inadequate height safety management combined with insufficient hazard controls for fragile or hazardous roofing surfaces.

Strengthening OHS Compliance for Height-Related Work

Businesses handling asbestos or working near fragile roof sheeting need documented OHS procedures that address both routine tasks and emergency scenarios. Health and safety teams should regularly audit crawl board conditions, rafter integrity, and worker training records.

SafetyDocs offers several resources to support compliance efforts, including our Falls Prevention Checklist and Falls from Heavy Vehicles SOP, both designed to strengthen safety management systems for organisations exposed to fall-related risk.

For businesses seeking to formalise worker responsibilities around height-related tasks, our Worker Agreement Policy provides a useful reference point when reviewing site safety obligations.

Learn More at Industry Events

Safety professionals wanting deeper insight into height safety management and OHS best practice can attend the Workplace Health and Safety Show, where industry experts discuss emerging risk controls and compliance strategies.

Read the full story on the SafeWork SA website.

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