Court hears testimony after fatal Curtin University glass roof collapse
A Perth magistrates court heard evidence about the 2020 glass roof collapse at Curtin University that killed apprentice glazier Jonathan Hartshorn and injured coworker Rikki Issitt, with steel fabricator Elsdon pleading guilty to a safety breach.
During a hearing in Perth, the magistrates court examined the October 2020 collapse of a five-storey glass roof at Curtin University’s Bentley campus, which caused the death of 23-year-old apprentice glazier Jonathan Hartshorn and severe injuries to his colleague Rikki Issitt. The incident occurred when the roof gave way as the two workers were installing it, dropping them 20 metres onto glass and metal. Evidence revealed that Elsdon, the steel fabrication contractor, used trusses with incomplete welds that were not inspected or supervised by a qualified welding supervisor.
The company pleaded guilty to the charge of failing to ensure the safety or health of a person who is not an employee; a separate charge of providing unsafe plant leading to death was dismissed. Hartshorn’s mother and partner testified about the personal loss, while Issitt described his ongoing physical and emotional suffering, including survivor’s guilt. The court scheduled sentencing for October 8.
