Kay Catanzariti’s son Ben was just 21 years old when he was killed by a falling concrete boom on a Canberra building site in July 2012. Investigations established the sudden collapse was due to the fracture of high strength bolts, but the cause of the failure had been under contention ever since, with criminal charges dropped and multiple inquests.

Now, Mrs Catanzariti’s long campaign to establish a national inquiry into industrial deaths has been won, with senators backing the push to tighten up laws. The “inquiry into industrial deaths in Australia” will look at the prevention, investigation and prosecution of industrial deaths.

Labor senator Gavin Marshall helped Mrs Catanzariti get the inquiry off the ground and met with her on Thursday to talk about the process.

“If someone had done this before Ben was killed maybe I wouldn’t have had to do this,” Mrs Catanzariti said. “Someone has to be held accountable in these cases, if someone is killed or seriously hurt at work there needs to be an investigation by someone who knows what they’re doing. There are still deaths occurring, politicians need to show that they’re prepared to make the changes and listen to people and move forward.”

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According to Safe Work Australia, there have been nine construction deaths this year, a shocking number considering there were a total of 12 construction deaths in 2017. Between 2003 and 2016, 3414 people were killed at work, with construction the third most deadly industry after transport and agriculture.

In an open letter in 2017, Mrs Catanzariti wrote: “We are the average working class family, no degrees, no influential friends, aren’t wealthy or well off and with no legal expertise. We are grieving the loss of our son, our minds aren’t functioning even now… it’s hard enough just to get out of bed each day and breathe.”

When the inquiry was announced, Senator James McGrath said all sides of politics were united on the need to prevent deaths and injuries in the workplace. 

“The government is currently conducting a review of the leading causes of fatalities in the building and construction industry,” he said. “All levels of government, unions, employers and their representatives need to continue to work together to ensure that workplace deaths are prevented and Australian workplaces are healthy and safe.”

The inquiry was referred to the education and employment references committee for report by September 20, 2018. The closing date for submissions is June 6.