Man, 71, has fallen to his death in horror workplace incident

A union boss has lashed out after an elderly man was killed when he fell through a rusted tin roof in a shocking workplace incident.

A 71-year-old tradesman has been killed when he fell about five metres through the roof of a vacant factory in a horror workplace incident.

The roof plumber was working at a Malaga factory in Perth’s northeast when he fell through an allegedly “rusted tin roof” on Tuesday.

CFMEU WA state secretary Mick Buchan said it was the second workplace fatality in Perth this month and more rigorous safety standards needed to be imposed on work sites.

He said there was no margin for error in the construction industry, and there was nothing more important than the safety and wellbeing of those working in the coalface.

A 71-year old man died after he fell 5m through the roof of a vacant factory where he was working on Tuesday. Picture : Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“The CFMEU sends our heartfelt condolences to the family and workmates of the man who tragically lost his life after falling through a rusted tin roof in Malaga on Tuesday afternoon,” he said.

“Having campaigned specifically for awareness around the risks of working at heights and fall prevention in October, we have now witnessed the tragedy of another worker losing his life under those very circumstances.

“Why is nobody listening? The message just isn’t getting through.

“The numbers keep going up.”

WorkSafe investigating after tradie falls through roof in Malaga. A 71-year-old man has been killed after falling through a roof in a workplace accident in Perth. Picture: 7News

Mr Buchan said these workers were more than just numbers – they were husbands, fathers, friends and workmates who were not going home to dinner.

“Here we are with another fatality that was entirely preventable and should never have happened,” he said.

“This is a terrible waste of life, and there are no excuses.

“There is nothing more important than everyone going home safely at the end of the day.”

WorkSafe investigators are now examining the incident to ensure compliance and prevention of future incidents occurring.

WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said it was a tragic incident and relayed her sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends.

Originally published as Man, 71, has fallen to his death in horror workplace incident