Employee Killed When Concrete Floor Collapses at Demolition Site

Published 17 November 2025 – source: WorkSafe Victoria
(See original at: Employee killed when concrete floor collapses at a demolition site) (WorkSafe Victoria)

What happened

A 49-year-old man died on a residential demolition site in Avondale Heights when a concrete floor collapsed and crushed him.

Why this matters

Demolition work comes with major structural risks. Unexpected collapse and falling objects are real threats in these settings.

Key safety actions

To reduce the risk of structural collapse during demolition, employers should:

• Engage a structural engineer or similarly competent person with demolition experience to assess structural stability issues and determine if supports are needed.
• Before demolition starts prepare a method and sequence plan for the works.
• Use temporary structural supports where employees need access to maintain building stability.
• Establish and maintain exclusion zones so that people do not enter unsafe work areas around unsupported structures.

Legal duties

Employers and self-employed persons must:

• Provide and maintain systems of work that are safe and without risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
• Ensure employees have adequate information, instruction, training and supervision about demolition hazards.
• When demolishing or performing high risk construction work the work must be done in accordance with a safe work method statement (SWMS) if required under regulations.
• Control risks using the hierarchy of controls.

TL;DR

• A demolition site in Avondale Heights claimed the life of a 49‐year‐old when a concrete floor collapsed beneath him.
• The incident underscores serious structural hazards in demolition work.
• Employers must engage competent specialists, plan the work sequence, install supports and maintain exclusion zones to prevent similar tragedies.