While falls from a height can happen in seconds, the consequences can last a lifetime. Falling several meters can easily lead to lifelong injuries or death. Trade professionals risk losing their colleagues, or their own lives, and companies face workers’ compensation claims, costly lawsuits and poor employee retention. Both parties have a vested interest in improving safety.

Something must be done about fatal falls from height

In September 2023, 17-year-old apprentice Tyler Whitton was working at a Brisbane construction site when he fell several meters through an uncovered hole. Whitton, a first-year builder, suffered serious head injuries. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma. However, he soon succumbed to his injuries.

Michael Ravbar, the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union’s state secretary, reported the Brisbane site had no scaffolding or head protection. While serious workplace accidents regularly occur in the construction industry, he stated this particular worksite had been stopped on numerous occasions.

A similar tragedy occurred in October 2020 when 23-year-old apprentice Jonnie Hartshorn was installing a glass roof at Curtin University. When the steel structure under him partially collapsed, Hartshorn and another worker fell around 20 meters to the ground. The companies Stantec Australia and Elsdon Pty Ltd. were charged with failing to ensure the workers’ safety. If convicted, they face maximum fines of $1.5 million and $2 million, respectively.

News stories like these are unfortunately, common in Australia. In cases where the casualties are apprentices, they are particularly poignant. As more career trade professionals retire, younger workers are needed to fill the gap. However, many are disincentivised to work in an industry where their first year on the job could end in tragedy.

Why falling is a leading cause of death in construction

Slips, trips and falls are among the leading causes of workplace injuries and fatalities. According to Safe Work Australia, falls from height were the second-highest cause of worker fatalities in 2023. Around 45% occurred within the construction industry. About 41% of those casualties were labourers, 21% were technicians and trade workers and 17% were machinery operators and drivers.

In many cases, safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) can mitigate these accidents. They help minimise injury severity and frequency, mitigating lasting damage and fatalities. Hard hats, safety glasses and steel-toe boots are essential regardless of the job. Safety harnesses, high-visibility vests and self-retracting lifelines are imperative when on roofs or aerial lifts.

However, safety equipment alone is not enough to eliminate falls from height. What happens when an apprentice disconnects their harness to climb down but slips before they reach the ladder? What if their frayed lanyard snaps while they are several stories up? A multifaceted approach to safety is vital.

Case studies demonstrating how to improve fall safety

Conventional methods to improve fall safety involve filling holes with cast-in mesh, installing temporary guard railings and covering penetrations with fixed protective covers. While these strategies are essential, it is clear trade professionals must go further to eliminate falls from height. Following recent case studies can help them understand which avenues to consider.

Mandatory training can reduce the injury rate

Even those who participate in formal apprenticeship programs work at heights without adequate preparation and fall. While microbuilders are generally less likely to put first-year builders in this position because they have greater visibility into their workforce than large construction firms, these incidents can still occur. The same principle applies to subcontractors, who are 2.7 times more likely to fall from height than contractors. While this phenomenon is common on large sites where many people are working simultaneously, microbuilders can also experience it. Confusion regarding when PPE is required or where hazards are can lead to preventable casualties.

Various case studies demonstrate that mandatory training can effectively reduce injuries within construction. However, the effects are modest — it does not fully prevent the problem. Practical applications should involve other risk controls. For instance, business leaders should leverage mentorship, adapt building practices and facilitate a culture of safety.

A jobsite hazard analysis can decrease risk

Many falls from height occur because project managers do not adequately plan for hazards, thereby neglecting to make the appropriate safety equipment available. The traditional manual identification process is time-consuming and prone to human error, which can put workers’ well-being at risk.

A research team at the University of South Australia developed a knowledge graph in 2024 to accurately predict jobsite-specific hazards. The system utilises a rule-based natural language processing (NLP) framework to populate the database with relevant information and extract plain language insights. It also leverages a categorisation system to indicate severity and risk.

Leveraging case studies to improve fall safety in 2025

Falls from height remain among the leading causes of death for trade professionals. While standard safety equipment and temporary guard railings can prevent accidents, they do not eliminate them. More innovative approaches are necessary. Microbuilders should consider leveraging continuous training and hazard analysis knowledge graphs to mitigate fatalities.