The workplace safety watchdog is investigating a gym where a bodybuilder was found unconscious after 15 hours in the shower before dying in hospital.
Giuliano Pirone was exercising at a 24-hour gym in Perth when he felt unwell and went to a shower cubicle, where he collapsed in the early hours of August 20.
The 33-year-old man’s family raised the alarm around 3pm and police used the building supervisor’s mobile phone signal to locate him.
Officers broke down the bathroom door and found the father of a young daughter collapsed on the floor under cold running water around 10:30 p.m.
He never regained consciousness and died in Joondalup hospital about two weeks later.
WorkSafe WA confirmed on Tuesday it was investigating the incident, including whether the gym breached its duty of care towards Mr Pirone.
Doctors believe Mr Pirone’s blood sugar levels became extremely low and his blood pressure dropped, which could lead to a seizure, his family previously told ABC Radio.
Pirone’s mother, Daniela Pirone, said CCTV footage showed her son on a treadmill “not feeling very well” before colliding with other equipment in the gym.
Giuliano Pirone (pictured) was working out at a 24-hour gym in Perth when he felt unwell and headed to a shower cubicle, where he collapsed early on August 20. Mr. Pirone was found unconscious 15 hours later and died about two weeks later.
WorkSafe WA confirmed on Tuesday it was investigating the incident, including whether the gym breached its duty of care to the 33-year-old man (pictured).
“He staggers toward the showers, holding his stomach,” she said.
“(He) must have locked himself in, felt hot, turned on the cold water and, bang, collapsed.”
Pirone said his family wants to know how their son would spend 15 hours in the shower without the gym staff noticing.
The family has called for an investigation into his death to determine whether the fitness industry needs stricter regulations.