Imagine falling 10 meters while on the job, suffering life-threatening injuries, and waking up days later with no memory of the incident. This is the harrowing reality for Myles Dyeming, a senior telecommunications technician at KiwiRail, whose story has sparked a critical conversation about workplace safety. But here's where it gets controversial: despite the severity of the accident, could this tragedy have been entirely prevented? And this is the part most people miss: the systemic failures that led to this incident are more common than you think.
In October 2023, Dyeming was installing a new type of communications pole near Whanganui when he fell, sustaining catastrophic injuries: a torn artery, a lacerated liver, a broken sternum, a punctured lung, fractured vertebrae, and five broken ribs. He spent days in a coma, developed life-threatening blood clots requiring groundbreaking surgery, and endured a grueling 10-month recovery. This month, KiwiRail was fined $220,000 and ordered to pay Dyeming $28,500 in reparations by the Whanganui District Court for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act.
WorkSafe’s investigation revealed shocking oversights: KiwiRail failed to conduct a detailed risk assessment for the new Oclyte poles, which differed significantly from the wooden poles previously used. Workers lacked proper training for complex height-related tasks, and critical safety measures were either absent or improperly implemented. For instance, a fall arrest system was installed but unused, climbing pegs were incorrectly placed, and safer alternatives like elevated work platforms were overlooked. Here’s the bold question: If businesses are introducing new infrastructure, should they not be legally obligated to reassess risks from the ground up?
WorkSafe’s central regional manager, Nigel Formosa, emphasized, “Businesses must first ask whether the job can be done from ground level. Fall arrest systems should be the last resort, not the first option.” This raises a critical point: Are companies prioritizing convenience over safety? And if so, what does that say about their commitment to their employees?
Dyeming, who still struggles with physical limitations—like running only 1-1.5km at a time—has turned his trauma into advocacy. He credits KiwiRail for supporting his recovery and developing new safety tools, but he’s clear: “No one should ever fall again.” KiwiRail’s chief infrastructure officer, Siva Sivapakkiam, acknowledged the company’s failures and outlined steps taken to improve, including stricter height-work protocols and pole design changes. But is this enough? Shouldn’t such measures have been in place before the accident?
Falls from height remain a leading cause of workplace fatalities and serious injuries, yet they are entirely preventable. Dyeming’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost of negligence. Here’s the thought-provoking question for you: What responsibility do employers, regulators, and even employees share in ensuring workplace safety? And how can we hold companies accountable before tragedies occur, not just after?
Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could save lives.
