Charges laid over Curtin University building collapse death

WorkSafe has charged two companies over the death of the 23-year-old apprentice who fell 20 metres from a roof under construction at Curtin University in 2020.

Steel fabrication company Elsdon has been charged, being an employer, with failing to ensure the safety and health of persons not being their employees and by that failure, causing the death of Jonathan Hartshorn and serious harm to another worker.

Stantec Australia, which was involved in the design of the roof, has been charged with failing to ensure the safety and health of persons not being their employees.

The maximum penalties for the charges are $2 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

The 23-year-old apprentice carpenter was working on the construction of a roof at Curtin University when the steel structure partially collapsed.

He fell around 20 metres to the ground, and another worker also fell and was seriously injured during the event in October 2020.

Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North said today the investigation was an extremely complex and time-consuming one, and it was now up to the courts to decide what action would be appropriate.

The case is now before the courts and the first mention will take place in the Perth Magistrates Court on December 13.