The grieving family of a father-of-two tradie killed in a catastrophic incident is on a mission to overhaul workplace regulations in the hope that another tragedy can be avoided.
Ryan MacKinnon, 44, was loading a scissor-lift elevated work platform onto a tilt-tray truck at a West Melbourne construction site on April 29 when disaster struck.
The platform fell from the rear of the truck, knocking Mr MacKinnon to the ground.
He suffered critical head injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he lost his fight for life two days later.
He became the 15th Victorian workplace fatality in the first four months of 2025. Another 22 have lost their lives since, taking the year’s toll to 37, according to WorkSafe Victoria.
Mr MacKinnon leaves behind two children — Courtney and Dylan.
Four months on, his heartbroken family still has no answers, as WorkSafe Victoria is yet to complete its investigation into his death.
“We are still in absolute shock, still hoping he will just walk in the door,” his sister Natalie MacKinnon told Daily Mail.
Father-of-two tradie Ryan MacKinnon was killed in a catastrophic incident at a construction site earlier this year
WorkSafe Victoria is investigating Ryan’s tragic death at a West Melbourne construction site (pictured)
‘It is absolutely incomprehensible that he is never coming home. Ryan has left the biggest holes in our hearts and we talk about him every single day.’
Ms MacKinnon is now leading a push for an overhaul of workplace safety regulations to make companies more accountable for workplace deaths.
The revamped legislation will be called Ryan’s Law if she gets her way.
‘I’m constantly thinking about how I can make changes, how I can make Ryan matter in the world without him in it,’ she said.
‘I can’t change this situation for his children but maybe I can make a small difference in his name. He will always matter to us.
‘This still feels so raw, but our mum, his children, family and friends, deserve answers.
‘Ryan always fought for what was right and would not hesitate to speak up. Now I need to do that for him, however that looks.’
The Ryan’s Law online petition has already attracted more than 400 signatures.
Sister Natalie MacKinnon (pictured with Ryan and his two kids Dylan and Courtney) is now leading calls for change
Ryan (right) was a devoted dad to Courtney (left) and Dylan (back)
‘We want workplace safety standards to be monitored more closely, for employers to ensure the safety of their workers and monitor the condition of equipment and vehicles more regularly, with written weekly reports,’ Ms MacKinnon said.
‘We want workers to be sent to jobs in pairs, not alone with heavy, dangerous equipment where there is significant risk of something going wrong.
‘I just want more for these workers and their families than what my brother had.
‘I truly hope that our story reaches someone that has the ability to make some kind of changes with workplace laws and regulations, as we desperately need to prevent this happening.’
Ms MacKinnon described her Jimmy Barnes, and Essendon Bombers AFL loving brother as super adventurous who enjoyed camping and the great outdoors, passions that he passed onto Courtney and Dylan.
‘He was intensely protective of his children and had an unwavering loyalty for his family and close friends,’ she said.
In 2020, Victoria became the fourth Australian jurisdiction to criminalise workplace negligence which results in death.
Individuals can be jailed for up to 25 years and organisations fined up to $16.5million if found guilty of not providing a safe workplace for employees which result in death.
‘Ryan’s Law’ aims to make companies accountable by increasing safety inspections and mandating comprehensive safety inductions for employees on worksites.
Proposed workplace safety reforms will be called Ryan’s Law if his family get their wish
Four months on from the tragedy, Ryan’s family still has no answers
The family also wants every truck and piece of machinery to be rigorously and regularly tested to ensure they meet safety standards.
‘The accountability must not end with businesses,’ the petition states.
‘It is essential that accurate reporting and transparent investigations are carried out to provide affected families the answers they deserve.’
For Ms MacKinnon, it’s not just a call for policy change but also a plea for human lives to be given the respect and protection they deserve.
‘If Ryan’s law became a reality in the future, it would mean that others would feel confident in leaving for work each day, feel safe and secure knowing they will come home at the end of the day,’ she said.
‘Families and friends would know there is a law that prevents these unnecessary traumas.
‘Our family is one of many living a an absolute nightmare with no answers months later.’
WorkSafe Victoria says it uses every power at its disposal to hold those responsible to account when workplace obligations aren’t met.
Its comprehensive investigations are often complex and take more than 12 months to complete.
A spokesperson told Daily Mail that its investigation into Mr MacKinnon’s death continues.
