Construction Industry Special: Understanding Falling from Heights Risk

Falling from heights continues to be the deadliest accident type on construction sites in Australia. We want to eliminate it.

Let’s start with a definition. Working at heights risk exists if there a worker who in any conceivable set of circumstances is at risk of falling from one level to another (not floors in a building, but one elevated level to another level) resulting in injury or death. The majority of serious fall incidents occur at a height of four metres of less.

There are incredibly serious implications of not adequately protecting workers who are exposed to working at heights risk, the least of which may involve a $3,600 on the spot fine per incident of being found to have workers who do not have adequate training and PPE.

So what can you do about it?

Safety on site is everyone’s business, but if you’re in a management position on site then understanding your responsibilities under WHS Regulations starts with you.

You are in charge of:

• Providing your staff with professional training

• Ensuring appropriate PPE is used consistently

• Ensuring you have prepared a Safe Work Method Statement for all high risk work (hint: this includes any work at heights)

• Considering’ reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risk while workers are working at heights (and remember that this doesn’t include just platforms or scaffolds, but ladders, stairways, falling from vehicles and falling in to or around holes in the ground)

What is a ‘reasonably practicable’ control measure?

Great question. These could include making sure that:

• A suitable work platform for the task is used, such as to-standard scaffolds, elevated work platforms, or a boom or scissor lift

• Workers are trained how to use the chosen platform

• Workers are provided with a safe way to access and exit the work area

• You have a plan in place in case of an emergency

If you’re putting these measures in place, heights risk must also be included in your hazard register

Any hazards that are identified or reported on your site must be entered, and reviewed immediately to prevent them from causing harm to people, property, or the environment.

Remember, control measures of a hazard should be implemented in the following order:

• Eliminate - Do the work from the ground

• Substitute - Replace a ladder with an EWP (an Elevated Working Platform)

• Isolate - Corden the area off to prevent access

• Engineering - Construct guard rails

• Administrative - Ensure staff are trained and risk assessments are completed and communicated

• PPE - Have a harness and know how to use it

Injury and death from working at heights are entirely preventable. These simple steps can take us further down the path to elimination.

Contact Safety101 today to discuss working at heights risk today: admin@safety-101.com