Inquest into the death of Damien Kyle-Little
Deceased
Damien Victor Kyle-Little
Demographics
43y, male
Date of death
2016-02-03
Finding date
2017-11-24
Cause of death
Multiple injuries sustained from falling 66 metres from a Telstra tower
AI-generated summary
Damien Kyle-Little, an experienced tower climber, fell 66 metres from a Telstra tower while attempting to retrieve tools before an approaching storm. He climbed without a harness and was not holding a required high-risk work licence. The company had prepared a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) requiring all climbers to hold basic riggers tickets and maintain 100% attachment, but these requirements were not enforced. Evidence suggested Damien did not routinely connect harnesses during climbs and had documented behaviour inconsistent with strict safety protocols. The work was high-risk construction work under regulations, yet compliance with documented safety requirements was not maintained. Emergency response procedures were also inadequate. Clinical lessons include the critical importance of documented safety protocols being rigorously enforced, regardless of worker experience or confidence, and ensuring supervision adequately monitors compliance with safety procedures.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Climbed tower without harness or personal protective equipment
- Did not hold required high-risk work licence for rigging work
- Non-compliance with Safe Work Method Statement requirements
- Workplace culture that did not enforce documented safety procedures
- Worker habitually failed to connect harness during climbs
- Tangled rigging requiring worker to stand on railing to free equipment
- Absence of supervision ensuring compliance with safety protocols
- Inadequate emergency response procedures
Coroner's recommendations
- Care Flight should consider arrangements for alternative helicopter availability during scheduled maintenance of the primary emergency medical helicopter
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