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A tragic reminder of rooftop dangers WorkSafe is urging businesses whose employees work at height to take the risks seriously after a tragic workplace accident left a Wellington man permanently injured. The incident, which happened in April 2023, has prompted renewed scrutiny over the safety practices of companies working on rooftops and in other elevated […]
WorkSafe is urging businesses whose employees work at height to take the risks seriously after a tragic workplace accident left a Wellington man permanently injured. The incident, which happened in April 2023, has prompted renewed scrutiny over the safety practices of companies working on rooftops and in other elevated environments.
The accident occurred when 38-year-old Josh Bowles, a relatively new employee at a commercial cleaning company called Prowash, fell six metres from a wet rooftop in central Wellington. The roof was slippery from both rain and cleaning chemicals, and Mr Bowles, who had only been in the job for two months, had no prior experience working at height. He also hadn’t received any formal training on how to safely use harnesses, roof anchors, or other fall-prevention equipment. Tragically, the consequences were severe. Mr Bowles suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple broken bones, and spent more than half a year in hospital recovering. He continues to live with chronic pain and has been unable to return to work. He is also a father of five, adding a heavy emotional and financial toll to his ongoing recovery.
A subsequent investigation by WorkSafe revealed serious gaps in Prowash’s health and safety procedures. Although there was some limited edge protection in place, it was clearly not adequate for the job. In situations like this, where edge protection alone isn’t enough, a well-maintained and properly used harness system should have served as a backup. But the company failed to provide it. Even if such a system had been available, Mr Bowles wasn’t trained in how to use it, highlighting a broader failure in staff preparation and risk management.
Adding to the concern, Prowash could not produce any documentation outlining how it planned to manage risks in this kind of environment. No written safety procedures, no hazard identification processes, and no formal risk assessments were provided to WorkSafe investigators. This absence of basic workplace safety planning suggested a systemic disregard for the health and wellbeing of workers, particularly in dangerous conditions such as cleaning a rain-soaked iron roof treated with chemical products.
“This was a preventable fall which has permanently impacted a young father’s quality of life and job prospects,” said WorkSafe principal inspector Paul Budd. “Falls from height are one of the most well-understood risks in the workplace, and there is simply no excuse for not having robust safety systems in place.”
According to WorkSafe, the best protection against falls isn’t reliant on workers making quick decisions under pressure—it’s about eliminating risk through proper planning and physical safeguards. “The most effective controls are those that don’t rely on active judgment by workers,” Budd said. “This includes things like scaffolding and edge protection. If someone slips or loses their balance, there should be something physically there to stop them from falling.”
Mr Bowles’ fall happened during poor weather, but the job continued despite the obvious risks. Budd emphasised that when conditions make a job too dangerous, businesses have a responsibility to delay the work until it’s safe to proceed. “There’s never a good reason to push forward with hazardous work when the weather or other factors increase the danger,” he said. “Stopping work to keep someone safe is always the right call.”
WorkSafe’s message is clear: employers must take responsibility for their workers’ safety, not only by complying with regulations, but by actively identifying hazards and responding to them before someone gets hurt. “Where businesses fail to manage risk, we will take action,” Budd said. “This isn’t just about legal compliance; it’s about influencing the culture of workplace safety in New Zealand. Every worker deserves to go home at the end of the day in one piece.”
Josh Bowles and his family are now facing a long road ahead. His story stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of neglecting basic safety practices. While no regulation can turn back time, WorkSafe hopes that strong enforcement and real accountability will prevent others from enduring the same hardship.
Preventing falls from roofs isn’t complex, but it does require a clear, consistent commitment to safety—one that starts long before anyone climbs a ladder. The most effective way to protect workers at height is to eliminate the risk. Still, when that’s not possible, there are well-established safeguards every employer should have in place.
Every job involving height should begin with a detailed risk assessment. What are the hazards specific to this job and this site? Is the roof pitched or flat? Are there skylights or fragile surfaces? Will the work be done in wet or windy conditions? These aren’t minor questions—they should guide decisions about equipment, timing, and worker responsibilities.
Written safety plans should be standard. These documents help ensure nothing is overlooked and can also be used to brief workers so they know exactly what the risks are and how to stay safe. Plans should be site-specific, updated regularly, and shared in full with everyone on the job.
Wherever possible, edge protection—such as guardrails, scaffolding, or temporary barriers—should be installed. These passive systems are the most reliable because they don’t depend on individual decisions or quick reactions.
If edge protection can’t be installed, a harness system becomes essential. But a harness alone is not enough. Workers must be trained to use the equipment correctly, understand where and how to anchor themselves, and know how to inspect their gear for wear and tear. Equipment should be checked before every use and stored properly to ensure it stays in good condition.
Josh Bowles’ fall was made worse by the fact that he hadn’t been trained to work at height or use fall protection systems. No one, regardless of how new or experienced, should be sent onto a roof without the proper knowledge and confidence to work safely. Training should cover not just the “how” of the job, but the “why” of safety protocols. When people understand the reasons behind the rules, they’re more likely to follow them.
Training should be ongoing, too. It’s not a one-off induction or a box to tick. As gear, work environments, and standards change, so should the training. Employers should keep records of who’s been trained, when, and in what.
Weather is one of the most unpredictable hazards on any work site. Wet roofs, strong winds, and low visibility all increase the likelihood of slips, trips, and falls. WorkSafe is clear: it’s better to delay a job than to push ahead in unsafe conditions. No deadline is worth a life-altering injury.
Before work begins, the forecast should be checked. If conditions worsen throughout the day, supervisors should be prepared to pause or postpone the job. Having clear procedures for stopping work can save lives and protect businesses from liability.
Finally, health and safety should be treated as a living system, not a static checklist. After each job, teams should take time to review what went well and what could be improved. Were there any close calls? Were all procedures followed correctly? This kind of reflection helps build a culture of accountability and improvement.
Businesses should also conduct regular audits of their safety systems, checking whether policies are up to date, whether equipment is being maintained, and whether workers feel confident and supported. Safety should be built into the way a business operates, not treated as an afterthought.
By following these principles, businesses can protect their workers and prevent the kind of tragedy that changed Josh Bowles’ life. Falls from height are often sudden, but the systems to prevent them are well known. What’s needed now is for every employer to take those systems seriously—and act before it’s too late.
