On the tools

At the sentencing, the judge described the death as having a “devastating and multidimensional impact…felt across generations” for the victim’s family.

Dan’s Renovations were fined $37,500 last November and ordered to pay reparations of $261,695.

Severe injuries from fall— improperly installed guardrail

In a second incident, a 54-year-old worker fell 3.6m onto concrete while replacing a roof at Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Glenfield Intermediate School in 2020.

He had tried to steady himself by holding a guardrail, but it gave way as a result of improper installation.

The man was lucky to survive, said WorkSafe. He sustained a hematoma by his left eye, two fractured ribs, a fractured sternum, fractured vertebrae, and multiple pelvic bone fractures. He spent 10 days in hospital and didn’t fully recover for more than a year.

WorkSafe found TPL Access Ltd should have ensured the roof edge protection was installed in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines and industry standards, by ensuring it was safe and fit for use.

“This case is a clear example that everyone has responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act, including businesses upstream from the work itself,” said WorkSafe’s Area Investigation Manager, Danielle Henry.

TPL Access Ltd was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay reparations of $43,000.

Make sure you and your workers follow WorkSafe’s Good Practice Guidelines for Working on Roofs: www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/working-at-height/roofs/working-on-roofs-gpg