Deceased
Gregory Roberts
Demographics
37y, male
Coroner
Deputy State Coroner Paresa Spanos
Date of death
2019-11-30
Finding date
2022-07-22
Cause of death
Complications of electrocution and injuries sustained in a fall
AI-generated summary
Gregory Roberts, a 37-year-old builder, died from complications of electrocution and injuries sustained in a fall after inadvertently touching a 22,000-volt high-voltage aerial powerline with a metal tape measure while working on scaffolding at a residential construction site. The incident occurred on 25 November 2019 and he died on 30 November 2019. Key clinical lessons include the importance of recognising the severity of high-voltage electrical injuries, which cause both direct tissue damage and cardiac complications. While the scaffold complied with Electricity Safety Regulations, it did not comply with Energy Safe Victoria guidelines regarding the 'No Go Zone' clearance of 4.6m—the measured distance was only 3.3m. The death was preventable through proper electrical hazard management, including obtaining a Permit to Work for the high-voltage line (not issued), ensuring adequate clearance compliance, and implementing engineering controls. Construction workers require better training on electrical hazard awareness and distance requirements around powerlines.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Error types
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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