Worker dies in hospital after falling from roof at Melbourne school

Victoria has recorded its sixth workplace fatality for 2023 following the death of a school maintenance worker in Melbourne last week, according to recent workplace safety news updates.

WorkSafe reported that the 67-year-old man suffered critical injuries after falling from a school roof on Thursday afternoon. He was rushed to hospital with severe trauma and died the following day.

What Happened During the Incident

The worker was reportedly retrieving balls from the school roof when he fell more than three metres onto the concrete ground below. Emergency services attended the scene, and the man was transported to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

WorkSafe is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall to determine whether adequate safety measures were in place at the time of the incident.

A Growing Concern for Workplace Health and Safety

This tragic event adds to a troubling pattern of fall-related fatalities reported across Australia this year. Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in workplaces, particularly in roles involving maintenance, construction, and building upkeep.

For safety professionals, this incident is a reminder that even routine tasks—such as retrieving equipment from a roof—can carry significant risk without proper fall prevention controls. Employers have a legal duty to identify these hazards and implement effective health and safety systems to protect workers.

Similar incidents have been documented in recent safety news coverage, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with rooftop work across various industries.

Lessons for Employers and Safety Managers

Incidents like this highlight several key safety priorities that organisations should reinforce:

• Conducting thorough risk assessments before any rooftop or elevated work is performed
• Ensuring fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and guardrails, is available and properly used
• Providing clear safety training for staff who may need to access roofs or elevated areas as part of their duties
• Reviewing maintenance procedures to reduce the likelihood of workers being exposed to unnecessary height-related risks

These measures align with broader community expectations that workplaces, especially those within school and educational settings, uphold rigorous safety standards to protect both staff and visitors.

WorkSafe's Ongoing Investigation

WorkSafe's investigation into this incident remains active, with findings expected to inform future compliance guidance for schools and maintenance contractors. Organisations seeking to strengthen their own safety documentation may find it useful to review related coverage, including this report on a Melbourne construction worker's fatal fall, which outlines similar findings from previous investigations.

Employers managing maintenance staff or contractors should also consider reviewing their worker and contractor manuals to ensure height-safety protocols are current and enforceable.

Read the original news article here.