Fatal Vic work site fall under scrutiny

Workplace safety experts are investigating how a man fell 20 metres to his death down an open shaft while drilling on a Melbourne construction site.

The formworker died after a platform gave way at the Royal Elizabeth apartments building site in Carlton.

CFMEU occupational health and safety manager Gerry Ayers said the worker had been sitting on a temporary platform before he fell.

"He was sitting on a platform drilling some holes, apparently to get some steel ready to be put in, and that temporary platform has given way," Dr Ayers said.

"He's fallen off, approximately 20 metres and he hasn't survived."

The man was working at the PDG Group development for contractors Concorp and his was the first construction death in Victoria this year, Dr Ayers said.

Worksafe is investigating.