NSW Government vows to make building sites safe after tragic death of Christopher Cassaniti

The NSW government has responded to a grieving mother’s pleas to make building sites safe after her son was crushed to death under 17 meters of collapsed scaffolding by vowing to push for industrial manslaughter laws which would see dodgy contractors and foremen jailed.

• Scaffolding collapse: Emails revealed concerns

The NSW government has responded to a grieving mother’s pleas to make building sites safe after her son was crushed to death under 17 meters of collapsed scaffolding by vowing to push for industrial manslaughter laws which would see dodgy contractors and foremen jailed.

Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson promised Patrizia Cassaniti the NSW government would lead the way in the push for tougher industrial manslaughter laws making worksite bosses criminally responsible for gross negligence.

“We will be pushing hard on federal government to come back during a review looking at recommendations that will clean up the chain of command … and we are consideration going alone if we need to clean up industrial manslaughter laws,” Mr Anderson told 2GB’s Ben Fordham yesterday.

“When someone dies it’s too late. Workers need to be able to speak up without fear.”

Christopher Cassaniti with his parents on his 18th birthday. Picture: Facebook

Christopher victim celebrating his 18th birthday at work. Picture: Facebook

MORE NEWS

Luxury life of pool cleaner charged over alleged drug ring

Woman falls to her death at Westfield Parramatta

Inside new Supermax 2 terror jail built to hold radicals

He added: “Queensland has done that, but has had no prosecutions under their industrial manslaughter laws, why? And the ACT has done the same.

“We want to take the lead in making the workplace safer and holding chief contactors and foremen accountable — if that means enhancing category one of the Work Health and Safety Act — it doesn’t go far enough, the level of prosecution, — we want to take the lead on this.

“Why wait until someone dies before be look at penalties?”

The Parents of Christopher Cassaniti at the site of the tragedy. Picture: Nine News

Mrs Cassaniti is spearheading the push for safer worksites across NSW after her son Christopher, 18, reportedly died of asphyxiation when his lungs were crushed under the sheer weight of toppled scaffolding at a Macquarie Park construction site.

He and fellow tradie, Khaled Wehbe held hands for twenty minutes while Christopher yelled for help.

Khaled was horribly injured but survived.

It has since emerged the construction company, Ganellen, had been warned about its scaffolding being unsafe in emails and complaints.

Family picture in 2017 with Christopher (left) with mother Patrizia, older brother Adriano, younger brother Michael and father Rob. Picture: Facebook

The cause of the collapse is now under investigation by SafeWork NSW and the police.

Mrs Cassaniti and her husband Rob, both 48, are calling for Christopher’s Law to be introduced urging the state government to give workers who feel unsafe the right to walk off worksites without fear of being sacked.

“At the moment it’s so hard, I’m still grieving Christopher, he was only 18 and worked on that site for one and half years — he was enthusiastic and loved the job,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

“But I can’t think of the things I loved about my boy, I need to fight for justice for him, to continue his legacy.

“I promised the workers and everyone else who has died on job sites that I will get justice for them.

“My second son Adriano was due to join Christopher on the work site next year — no chance, he’s terrified, he no longer wants to.

“Christopher’s Law shall give all workers the assurance that they should have the right, without being persecuted, to remove themselves from an unsafe worksite or situation and speak out when they believe they are in danger.

“Christopher’s Law is simple right, it allows all workers to come home to their families safely.”

His father Rob, 48, was adamant criminals charges should be laid ion dodgy worksite managers.

“Jail term,” Mr Cassaniti said.

“Make them understand their decision has cost someone’s life. Our boy’s life.”

“I have a life sentence, we have to live with this. They, too, should feel the same,” he said.

Originally published as NSW Government vows to make building sites safe after tragic death of Christopher Cassaniti