Parents of dead tradie push for change to workplace laws which they hope to call Christopher’s law

Christopher’s Law: Parents of teenage apprentice tradie killed in scaffolding collapse demand tougher laws that would see bosses fined millions or jailed over workplace deaths

  • Parents of Christopher Cassaniti hope to bring in new workplace laws in NSW
  • Patrizia Cassaniti and Rob hope to name the new change, ‘Christopher’s Law’ 
  • Christopher was crushed while working at the Macquarie Park site on April 1
  • His mother demanded improved workplace to avoid a repeat of the tragic death
  • Investigations into the cause of the scaffolding collapse remain ongoing 

The parents of a teenage apprentice who was killed in a construction site accident are calling for tough new work safety laws, which they hope to name after their son. 

Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti lost their 18-year-old child Christopher after a 15-metre high tower of scaffolding fell on top of him at Macquarie Park, Sydney on April 1.

Five weeks on, and the pair say they will push for changes to workplace safety in NSW in the name of their son. 

‘We have to continue our legacy for him, and try to bring in some kind of law, that everyone that goes to work, doesn’t matter if it’s white collar, blue collar, they should be feeling safe going to work,’ Mrs Cassaniti told 7 News.

‘We would like to call it Christopher’s law.’

The parents of a teenage apprentice who was killed in a construction site accident are calling for tough new work safety laws, which they hope to name after their son (pictured, Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti)

Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti lost their 18-year-old child Christopher (pictured) after a 15-metre high tower of scaffolding fell on top of him at Macquarie Park, Sydney on April 1

Patrizia and Rob Cassaniti lost their 18-year-old child Christopher (pictured) after a 15-metre high tower of scaffolding fell on top of him at Macquarie Park, Sydney on April 1 

The pair hope to bring in stringent industrial manslaughter laws, which could usher in tougher penalties such as jail time for employers. 

A similar law is practised in Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, though not in NSW and Victoria.

‘Everybody has the right to return home from work, we need to change the culture of the industry, of all industries,’ Mr Cassaniti said.

Labor has promised to push for uniform industrial manslaughter laws across the country in a bid to shore up workplace safety.

In the meantime, Mr Cassaniti and his wife will meet with state-level and federal politicians over the coming weeks in an attempt to see the changes come through. 

Only at the start of the month, Mrs Cassaniti led a Union Day March in Sydney calling for changes to the workplace. 

‘I’m taking a stand for Christopher and I’m here to help change the rules and I promise you, to continue until it’s done.’ 

She spoke of her heartache of having her son taken away from her, who had only turned 18 days before he was killed.

At the time, she had been serving coffee from a van close by the site.

Only at the start of the month, Mrs Cassaniti led a Union Day March in Sydney calling for changes to the workplace

Only at the start of the month, Mrs Cassaniti led a Union Day March in Sydney calling for changes to the workplace 

Industrial manslaughter laws 

An employer who is proven to be negligent and to have caused a workplace death could face tough penalties.

On top of 20 years imprisonment, they could also be slapped with a $10 million fine.

Under existing laws in Queensland and the ACT, an employer can be found to be negligent if they: breach their duty of care or they knew of a breach, which would lead to a significant risk of harm to their employee. 

Frantic tradesmen tried to rescue the 18-year-old and another trapped colleague from the pile of twisted metal, but only managed to save his 39-year-old co-worker.

Mr Cassaniti was declared dead at the scene and his colleague is still recovering after sustaining injuries to his lower body. 

Construction company Ganellen released a statement last month saying it was rocked by the turn of events.

Speculation has mounted as to what caused the collapse. 

Daily Mail Australia does not suggest that either Ganellen or Synergy Scaffolding were negligent or in breach of their duty of care. 

Ganellen along with Synergy Scaffolding and witnesses at the scene have given statements to police and Safework as an investigation into the accident continues. 

Mr Cassaniti was declared dead at the scene and his colleague is still recovering after sustaining injuries to his lower body (pictured, Christopher Cassaniti celebrated his milestone birthday with proud parents Patrizia and Rob)

Mr Cassaniti was declared dead at the scene and his colleague is still recovering after sustaining injuries to his lower body (pictured, Christopher Cassaniti celebrated his milestone birthday with proud parents Patrizia and Rob)

Construction company Ganellen released a statement last month saying it was rocked by the turn of events (pictured, Patrizia Cassaniti poses with her son Christopher)

Construction company Ganellen released a statement last month saying it was rocked by the turn of events (pictured, Patrizia Cassaniti poses with her son Christopher)

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