Two companies now face substantial fines over a fatal roof collapse at Perth's Curtin University.

The incident in October 2020 resulted in the death of 23-year-old apprentice carpenter, Jonathan Hartshorn, who plunged approximately 20 metres from a glass roof under construction due to a partial steel structure collapse. Witnesses described a “massive crashing sound” as the structure gave way. Another worker was seriously injured in the same fall. 

Steel fabrication company Elsdon Pty Ltd 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 (maximum penalty $2 million).

Stantec Australia Pty Ltd, which was involved in the design of the roof, has been charged, being an employer, with failing to ensure the safety and health of persons not being their employees (maximum penalty $1.5 million).

The charges were laid under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984, as the incident occurred prior to the introduction of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020.

The first court appearance is scheduled for December 13 in the Perth Magistrates Court.