Fall through roof fatality (7 November 2023)

This section references the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017, which has since been remade as the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025. Any references to clauses of the 2017 Regulation should now be read as references to the corresponding sections in the 2025 Regulation where applicable.

A worker fell approximately 5.1 metres to the ground through fibreglass roofing at a manufacturing warehouse, sustaining fatal head injuries.  The Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) was conducting maintenance work at the premises.

View of roof from outside
View from inside the warehouse

Views from outside and inside the warehouse

Safety information

Falls from heights may occur in any workplace and they continue to be a major cause of fatalities and serious injuries at workplaces across NSW.

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working at heights, ensuring adequate fall protection.

Businesses are reminded of their duty to identify hazards and manage risks to health and safety in accordance with the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

Ensure:

When considering ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risk of falls, before starting work on an existing roof, carry out an inspection (from below) to determine:

  • the presence and condition of non-trafficable sheeting and other brittle roof sheeting such as sky lights, plastic roof sheeting or asbestos cement sheeting
  • the presence and condition of safety mesh.

When determining whether roof surfaces are safe to walk on, consider the product materials and method of fixing, including any possible deterioration in strength. Note: products may become brittle, and fixings may become less rigid over time.

Implement these control measures to prevent workers from falling through non-trafficable roofs and apply these measures consistently, reviewing as work progresses:

  • Plan the work to avoid accessing unsafe or non-trafficable areas.
  • Work from an elevated work platform or boom lift to avoid standing on the roof itself.
  • Install temporary work platforms (e.g. crawling boards) and roof ladders as appropriate.
  • Install barriers (e.g. guard rails or covers) that are secured and labelled with warning signs.
  • Install safety mesh when installing the roof sheeting.
  • Install and ensure the use of a fall restraint / arrest system (harness system) which has adequately installed anchorage points, adjusting the length to limit slack as the worker moves, along with training and instruction in the use.

Statistics

Falls from heights are the number one cause of traumatic fatalities in the NSW building and construction industry. The biggest risks for roof work are falling off the edge or through fragile roof materials.

Related guidance material

Further information

Back to top