WorkSafe probes work-related fatality in Mandurah

WorkSafe Probes Work-Related Fatality in Mandurah

WorkSafe has launched an investigation into a work-related fatality involving a male painter in his sixties, following an incident in Mandurah last week. The case highlights ongoing risk concerns tied to ladder use across construction and maintenance work.

What Happened

WorkSafe said the man was using an A-frame ladder on Thursday when he experienced a fall and sustained serious injuries. He died on Tuesday, days after being admitted to hospital.

“WorkSafe investigators examine the circumstances of incidents with a view to ensuring compliance and preventing future incidents of a similar nature,” a statement from the safety authority indicated.

Why Fall Risk Remains a Persistent Safety Concern

Falls from height continue to represent one of the most significant hazards in construction and maintenance trades. Painters, roofers and tradespeople who rely on ladders or elevated platforms face heightened exposure to fall-related risk, particularly when equipment is poorly maintained or set up on unstable ground.

WorkSafe's inquiry into this Mandurah case follows a broader pattern of investigations into work-related deaths across Australia. Similar incidents, such as the one detailed in our coverage of a WorkSafe probe into a fatality involving mining machinery, demonstrate why regulators prioritise rigorous scrutiny of workplace incidents regardless of industry.

Building a Stronger Safety Culture in Construction

Employers across construction sectors carry a duty to identify fall hazards before work begins. Practical safety measures include:

• Inspecting ladders and scaffolding for structural integrity before each use
• Ensuring workers receive proper training on safe ladder positioning and use
• Assessing ground conditions and weather factors that may increase fall risk
• Providing fall-arrest systems where working at height cannot be avoided
• Documenting site-specific hazards through a Safe Work Method Statement for high-risk construction activities

A strong safety culture depends on consistent application of these controls, not just occasional compliance checks. Health and safety professionals in construction should treat every ladder-based task as a genuine risk activity requiring planned controls.

Regulatory Response and Broader Context

WorkSafe's investigation into this fatality reflects a national commitment to reducing preventable deaths in construction and other high-risk industries. Comparable regulatory action was seen when WorkSafe New Zealand updated its work-related fatality figures, underscoring how authorities across the Tasman track and respond to workplace deaths with similar diligence.

Data released through Safe Work Australia's fatality statistics further illustrates the scale of the challenge facing safety regulators nationwide, reinforcing why thorough investigation of every death remains essential to long-term prevention.

Practical Steps for Construction Businesses

Health and safety leaders can reduce fall risk by embedding rigorous documentation and training into daily operations. Reviewing permit systems, such as those outlined in our Hot Work Permit template for New Zealand workplaces, offers a useful model for how structured paperwork supports safer outcomes across construction sites.

Businesses managing dispersed teams should also consider guidance from our Overseas Work Guide, particularly where construction contractors operate across multiple jurisdictions with varying safety obligations.

Key Takeaways

• WorkSafe is investigating a work-related fatality involving a male painter in Mandurah
• The man sustained fatal injuries after falling from an A-frame ladder
• Fall risk remains a leading cause of death in construction trades
• Robust safety controls and documentation help prevent similar incidents

This case serves as a stark reminder that even routine construction tasks carry serious risk when proper controls are absent. WorkSafe's continued enforcement of compliance standards aims to ensure businesses prioritise safety at every stage of work planning.

First published here.