Young electrician seriously injured after fall from roof (14 March 2025)

An electrician was working on the roof of a double-storey house that was undergoing roof renovations. They slipped and fell off the roof, landing on the concrete driveway approximately 6.5 metres below.

As result of the fall, the electrician sustained significant injuries which required multiple surgeries.

Safety information

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.

In NSW, more than 15,000 young people in NSW are injured in the workplace each year.

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with falls from heights and working with young workers.

Ensure:

  • a comprehensive roof inspection is conducted by a competent person before the start of any work to assess the condition of the roof. This includes identifying areas that should not be accessed due to structural concerns, steep slopes, unsuitable roofing materials, or other potential hazards
  • workers are made aware of weather conditions such as wind and rain, which may pose risks such as being blown over the edge or slipping on wet roof surfaces
  • a site-specific safe work method statement (SWMS) is developed and implemented for any work where there is a risk of a person falling more than two metres. the document should also outline the hazards, control measures and safe work procedures specific to the site
  • you use a fall prevention device such as:
    • temporary edge protection system
    • scaffold
    • void covers if required
  • if it is not reasonably practicable to use a fall prevention device, use a work positioning system or fall arrest system, such as:
    • harness-based fall restraint system
    • industrial safety nets
    • catch platforms
    • harness-based fall-arrest used with lifelines or individual anchors
  • all workers have completed a site induction before starting work
  • safe means of access and egress is provided to the work areas and workers are informed accordingly
  • young and inexperienced workers receive adequate supervision, with consideration given to their age, experience and competence levels
  • warning signs are installed in non-trafficable areas to clearly mark them as restricted. Where possible, physical barriers are also installed to create exclusion zones and prevent unauthorised access
  • comprehensive emergency plans are prepared, maintained and implemented to ensure an effective response in the event of an incident.

Related guidance material

Further information

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