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Two companies have been charged over the death of an apprentice carpenter in a roof collapse at a university construction site in Perth three years ago.
Tradie Jonathan Hartshorn, 23 was working on the glass roof of Curtin University’s $110 million School of Design and Built Environment when a steel structure partially caved in and he fell about 20m to the ground.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Worksafe charges two companies over fatal collapse at Curtin University.
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Hartshorn died at the scene while another worker, 26, was seriously injured when he plunged 20m in the October 2020 emergency.
A third worker was also injured when he fell 10m from inside the building.
Steel fabrication firm Elsdon faces a maximum $2 million penalty after being charged by WorkSafe with failing to ensure safety and health, causing the death of Hartshorn and serious harm to another worker.
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WorkSafe has also charged Stantec Australia, which was involved in the design of the roof, with failing to ensure safety and health.
The maximum fine is $1.5 million.
Jonnie Hartshorn died when the roof he was working on collapsed at a building site at Curtin University. Credit: 7NEWS
Authorities said charges were laid under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984 because the incident occurred before the introduction of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020.
Acting WorkSafe Commissioner Sally North described the investigation as complex and said it is now up to the courts to decide what action is appropriate.
The first mention will take place in the Perth Magistrates Court on December 13.
Electrical Trades Union WA organiser Damian Clancey witnessed the collapse, which happened during a lunch break, and said there could have been many more deaths and injuries had it happened just five minutes earlier.
About 100 workers were evacuated from the Bentley campus site while authorities investigated.
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