Finding into death of Gary Brian Wilfert
Deceased
GARY BRIAN WILFERT
Demographics
35y, male
Date of death
2007-06-25
Finding date
2015-04-15
Cause of death
HEAD INJURIES SUSTAINED IN AN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT
AI-generated summary
Gary Wilfert, a 35-year-old window cleaning supervisor, died from catastrophic head injuries sustained when he fell approximately six metres from a building facade at 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne. He had been assigned to clean interior glass panels at the base of a curtain wall using an elevated work platform (EWP), a task added mid-project without formal risk assessment. The coroner found he removed his safety harness and stood directly on deteriorated louvre frames with faulty locking bolts to access the cleaning area. Critical deficiencies included: no written risk assessment for this specific task despite its hazardous nature, lack of awareness regarding documented structural defects previously identified by another contractor, absence of a colleague (company policy required two workers), and inadequate planning and communication from management. The coroner emphasised that ongoing risk assessment should have led Wilfert to stop work when he discovered the dangerous condition of the louvre mechanisms.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Error types
Contributing factors
- Inadequate risk assessment for the specific task of cleaning glass bottoms
- Removal of safety harness and disconnection from fall restraint system
- Standing on deteriorated louvre frames with faulty locking bolts
- Lack of awareness of known structural defects in the building facade
- Absence of colleague (company policy required two workers for this task)
- Poor planning and communication regarding the additionally assigned work
- Inadequate supervision and management oversight
- Working alone on a hazardous task
- Pressure to complete work quickly before manager's return
Coroner's recommendations
- Copies of finding directed to: Family of Gary Wilfert, Property Manager at 121 Exhibition Street Melbourne, Managing Director of CBD Highrise Pty Ltd, Managing Director of Consolidated Property Service Pty Ltd, Chief Executive of Victorian Workcover Authority, and Chief Executive of Building Commission Melbourne. No specific recommendations made as evidence fell short of establishing failings in the regulatory scheme; however, the coroner noted that Section 28 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Building Code of Australia provide sufficient legal framework requiring designers to ensure building safety for maintenance activities.
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