WorkSafe Western Australia has launched a comprehensive investigation following a tragic workplace fatality at Hofmann Engineering’s Bassendean facility on September 8, marking the second death at the same location within six years.

The Incident

A mature-aged apprentice in his 40s lost his life after sustaining fatal crush injuries when a steel object collapsed onto him while he was working. WorkSafe inspectors responded immediately to the scene on the afternoon of September 8 after receiving notification of the incident.

Regulator Response

Acting WorkSafe WA Commissioner Jennifer Low expressed serious concern about the repeat tragedy at the facility.

“It’s clearly a concern to WorkSafe that a second death has occurred at this workplace,” Low stated.

The investigation will focus on determining the exact circumstances that led to the fatal incident and identifying any potential regulatory breaches.

Previous Safety History

The current incident follows a troubling pattern at the engineering company. In 2019, another worker death occurred at the same Hofmann Engineering facility. Following prosecution proceedings, the company was fined $567,000 in November 2024 for that earlier fatality.

Ongoing Investigation

WorkSafe WA inspectors continue to examine both the incident scene and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The investigation aims to uncover the root causes and determine whether any safety violations contributed to the fatal outcome.

“WorkSafe will continue to conduct a thorough investigation to identify what caused this incident and whether any potential offences have been committed,” Commissioner Low confirmed.

Industry Impact

The regulator has committed to sharing findings from the investigation with the broader industry once the inquiry concludes, as part of their ongoing efforts to promote safer working conditions across all Western Australian workplaces.

“As always, once the investigation has concluded we will share any learnings with the industry as part of our commitment to supporting safe and healthy work practices in all workplaces,” Low added.

The repeat fatality at the same facility raises important questions about workplace safety culture and the effectiveness of existing safety measures in preventing similar tragedies.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available from the WorkSafe WA investigation.