Workplace accidents: WorkSafe Victoria data reveals hundreds of falls and three deaths

The tragic deaths of jockey Dean Holland and maintenance worker Gerry Van Den Berg are among the hundreds of workplace accidents this year, a report has revealed.

Dean Holland tragically died after a racing fall. Picture: Getty Images

A toddler who fell from a second-storey office window and a contractor who fell more than 5m while repairing a factory roof are among hundreds who have been injured in workplace falls this year, according to the safety watchdog.

New WorkSafe Victoria data revealed 380 people have been injured in workplace falls in the first four months of 2023, while tragically three people have died.

The dead include jockey Dean Holland, 34, who fell from his mount at Donald racecourse on April 24, and Mentone Girls’ Secondary College maintenance worker Gerry Van Den Berg, 67, who died after he fell off a building roof on March 23.

Jockey Dean Holland died after falling from his mount at Donald. Picture: Getty Images

The third victim was a worker who died from head injuries after falling off the roof of a van.

The watchdog is launching an awareness campaign after 41 workers have been killed and 7395 workers seriously injured in workplace falls in the past five years.

Building supervisor John Rainbird, 62, is among the hundreds who sustained serious injuries on the job after he fell through a floor on the second-storey of a building in 2006.

He was raced to hospital with a ruptured lower spine and fractured neck.

Though his physical ailments healed the mental impacts still haunt the once career-driven man.

“It’s taken such a physical and mental toll on us both,” wife Pat Rainbird, 61, said.

“One minute you’re travelling along okay, we both had good jobs and our two boys were fine. “Then all of a sudden then John goes on WorkCover and our lives are turned upside down.”

Mrs Rainbird said her husband was a “totally different” man since the accident 16 years ago.

“He had bit of a breakdown,” she said.

Mentone Girls' Secondary College’s Gerry van den Berg. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

“You can never be the same after something like that. John went from being outgoing to like a crab with a shell on the back, a bit of a recluse.”

She urged anyone facing similar difficulties to ensure they were fully supported by loved ones.

“Personally, it’s been a very hard and emotional few years because John’s gentle and kind, but there’s an anger still there.

“I don’t dwell on the past, but if people can have patience and look after themselves, that’s very important. Have a great ear to talk to about what you’re going through.”

Since January, 17 employers have been prosecuted for failing to take reasonable safety

precautions while working at heights, including electrical services firm Sentenal Technologies which was convicted and fined $32,000.

WorkSafe executive director of health and safety Narelle Beer said falls were preventable.

“A fall can happen in just seconds but the consequences can last a lifetime, including devastating injuries and loss of life,” Dr Beer said.

“Despite the well-known risks, we still see workers on rooves without fall protection, harnesses not attached to an anchor point, poorly installed scaffolding, platforms without guard

rails, unprotected voids and unsafe ladders.”