Manslaughter charges laid over electrical death

Manslaughter charges have been laid four years after the death of Jason Garrels, who was killed in heavy rain on a building site in central Queensland.

Garrels was 20 years old and only nine days into his job when he was asked to move a switchboard box during a site clean-up and was consequently electrocuted. A 2015 inquest into his death found that the switchboard covering had slipped and the box had come into contact with live wires. The young worker held on to the switchboard for three seconds, staggered backwards and collapsed, according to the inquest findings. The sole electrical contractor on the project, Nathan Day, has been charged with manslaughter and will appear at the Brisbane Magistrates court on 21 July.

Garrels' family wanted to ensure that unsafe work practices did not continue and to ensure that the industry made significant changes. They produced a video to tell Jason's story, which they provided to WorkCover in an effort to draw attention to the issue. The intent is to highlight the need for effective communication between subcontractors on construction sites and appropriate supervision and supportive mentoring of young workers.

His father, Michael Garrels, is a member of the Interim consultative committee for work-related fatalities and serious incidents, which was established to ensure there is an ongoing consultative forum for injured workers and families affected by a workplace death.