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Call to jail NSW bosses for worker deaths

The grieving parents of a Sydney apprentice crushed to death by scaffolding have called on NSW to introduce industrial manslaughter laws.

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Source: AAP


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"Kill a worker, go to jail" is the simple change sought by the parents of an 18-year-old apprentice crushed to death by scaffolding on a Sydney worksite.

Christopher Cassaniti was crushed to death after 15-metre high scaffolding collapsed on him and a co-worker at a construction site in Macquarie Park on April 1.

His parents are now calling for harsher punishments for employers whose employees die in industrial incidents.

"Kill a worker, go to jail," mother Patrizia Cassaniti told Seven News on Tuesday

"It doesn't matter if it is white collar or blue collar, (workers) should be feeling safe going to work."

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His father Rob Cassaniti said the culture of the industry in NSW needed to change.

Bosses found to have negligently caused the death of a worker can be jailed for up to 20 years in Queensland.

A similar industrial manslaughter law is set to be debated in Victoria's parliament by the end of the year.

Ms Cassaniti said she'd promised Christopher's colleagues she "won't stop until they feel safe".

The apprentice, who turned 18 only days before his death, was farewelled in a memorial service this week.

The circumstances of his death are being investigated by SafeWork NSW and police.

Some 35 workers died on NSW construction sites in the two years to June 2017, according to the State Insurance Regulatory Authority.

Construction is also one of the most common industries for major workplace injuries with one in every 67 workers injured in the year to June 2017.


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