The death of a construction worker could have been prevented through comprehensive training, says experts
A construction worker has died at a NSW residential construction site after being crushed by large-format tiles.
The tragic incident could have been prevented after experts blamed the issue on an “inexperienced worker crisis” in the construction industry.
Registered Training Organisation director Sal Dannoun said a variety of unresolved industry challenges have compounded to create unsafe sites.
Complex materials, aggressive timelines, and an influx of inexperienced workers have created an unsafe culture.
“We're seeing people enter construction sites who've never worked with load instability, unsupported weight, or confined unloading spaces," said Dannoun.
“The pressure to fill workforce gaps means some are arriving on site without understanding hazards that experienced workers take for granted. They don't know what they don't know – and that's getting people killed."
Construction training organisation White Card Webinars said in a statement that 2026 could see even more fatalities as project demand is expected to skyrocket.
Dannoun said the first line of defence remains basic awareness training. Employers in the industry are being urged to support workers through consistent safety training.
He called for reforms to better protect vulnerable workers:
- Mandatory stability assessments for all heavy/oversized materials
- Direct supervision requirements for workers in their first 90 days
- Refresher training triggers after serious incidents
- Penalties for employers who compress induction processes
“The more pressure the industry faces, the more we need to double down on fundamentals. Speed and cost pressures cannot override the right of every worker to go home alive,” said Dannoun.
The incident is being investigated by SafeWork NSW.
