SafeWork SA is issuing a reminder to building owners and contractors about the importance of managing risk of falls.
SafeWork SA inspectors recently attended two separate incidents that resulted in serious injuries. Both incidents could have been fatal.
The first incident occurred when a contractor fell backwards through an unprotected skylight, falling 4.6m and sustaining multiple fractures. The contractor was inspecting anchor points on the roof at the time.
The second incident occurred when a worker fell through poly sheeting, falling 4.6m onto a concrete floor below.
These two cases follow similar incidents in December 2019 where a worker was fatally injured and in January 2020 another worker was seriously injured.
SafeWork SA issued a safety alert at this time to businesses and workers about managing the risk of fall from a fragile roof.
These two further recent incidents had the potential to be more serious and SafeWork SA again remind businesses to be alert to the hazards and risks involved with fragile roof material and ensure that controls are in place to eliminate the risk.
Go to our fragile roofing page for information on risk management controls.
Our four-part educational video series on managing risk of falls provide guidance to manage the risk when working at heights to comply with work health safety responsibilities.
