Injuries from falls are among the most common workplace incidents, especially for those in construction where working at heights safety measures are part of daily life. Falls from height are among the leading causes of workplace fatalities globally. In Australia, unintentional falls were responsible for 6,698 deaths in 2022-23, representing 43% of all injury-related deaths. In the workplace, the risks are just as severe. Falls from one level to another caused 29 worker fatalities in 2023, making up 15% of all work-related deaths.
Because of these alarming statistics, work health and safety authorities continue to emphasise fall prevention measures to protect workers. Falls are a major cause of serious injury or death in the construction industry, particularly in housing construction. Unfortunately, many accidents still occur due to:
- Lack of training or unclear safety procedures in the workplace
- Poor conditions such as slippery surfaces or inadequate lighting
- Missing protective devices such as guardrails or covers around skylights
- Fall prevention equipment not used properly or consistently
- Inadequate risk management processes for work at heights
Real-world tragedies serve as reminders that height safety equipment only proves effective when consistently used. A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must protect workers from the risk of falls at workplaces, as far as is reasonably practicable.
1. Identify Hazards and Assess Risks
Risk assessment for work at heights forms the foundation of any working at heights safety program. Employers must identify hazards such as unguarded edges, unstable scaffold structures, weak roofing materials, or inadequate work platforms, and determine appropriate control measures.
Use checklists for elevated work safety to evaluate potential fall hazards before beginning any type of work. Consider risks of work at height in construction, including:
- Falls from scaffold or elevating work platforms
- Risk of a person falling more than two metres from ground level
- Potential for falls in construction through incomplete flooring or roofing
- Hazards around trenches or service pits
Also consider seasonal factors that may affect the risk of a person falling, such as weather conditions, changing light levels, or temperature effects on equipment performance.
2. Fall Prevention Control Measures
Once risks are identified, a PCBU must prepare a safe work method statement (SWMS) for high risk construction work. This safe system of work should outline specific control measures to manage working at heights safety risks.
The hierarchy of control requires employers to eliminate or minimise risks associated with work at heights. Where elimination proves impossible, engineering controls such as guardrails and industrial safety nets must be considered before administrative controls and personal protective equipment.
Engineering Controls:
- Install permanent guardrails around work areas
- Use solid construction barriers to prevent access to dangerous areas
- Provide safe work platforms with adequate load capacity
- Install industrial safety nets below work areas
- Ensure proper scaffold construction meets code of practice requirements
Administrative Controls:
- Develop comprehensive work procedures for height-related tasks
- Implement permit systems for work above two metres
- Establish exclusion zones around elevated work areas
- Provide regular safety training and competency assessments
Personal Protective Equipment:
- Use work positioning systems for extended work at height
- Deploy fall arrest systems where other controls prove insufficient
- Ensure proper harness inspection and maintenance
- Train workers in industrial rope access systems where appropriate
3. Fall Emergency Procedures
Even with strong prevention systems, accidents can still happen. Every workplace must have a clear fall emergency response plan that addresses their specific working at heights safety risks.
This plan should include:
- Ensuring access to first aid equipment and trained responders
- Practising height-specific rescue drills, such as harness recovery
- Establishing clear communication protocols for emergencies
- Assigning specific roles so everyone knows their responsibilities in the event of a fall
- Access routes for emergency services
- Medical support for injuries that may occur
- Procedures for incident investigation and reporting
4. Re-evaluate Workplace Risks
Workplace conditions change constantly, which means working at heights safety measures must evolve accordingly. Conduct periodic reviews of your fall prevention program, including:
- Regular equipment inspections of scaffold, work platforms, and fall arrest systems
- Updates to safe work method statements when conditions change
- Assessment of new hazards that may emerge during construction work
- Evaluation of incident reports and near-miss events
- Review of work health and safety regulation updates
This proactive approach ensures new hazards are quickly identified and addressed. Issues in the workplace often develop gradually, making regular assessment crucial for maintaining safety standards.
5. Invest in Training
Workers cannot legally perform construction work without proper certification. A white card (Construction Induction Card) is mandatory for anyone entering a construction site and must be obtained through a registered training organisation.
Beyond this basic requirement, construction workers need:
- Working at heights safety training specific to the type of work performed
- First aid certification focused on fall-related injuries
- Equipment-specific training for scaffold, elevating work platforms, or industrial rope access systems
Beyond initial certification, workers need regular refresher training to maintain competency and stay current with safety procedures. Work health and safety regulations require that training remains up to date and relevant to the specific risks workers face.
Safety Always Comes First
Despite decades of safety regulations and improved equipment like better harnesses and more stable scaffold systems, falls from height still kill too many workers each year. Don’t let negligence cost lives. Employers and workers alike must follow safety guidelines for work at heights and maintain a culture of safety awareness. By implementing these five essential tips and maintaining vigilance about height safety, workplaces can significantly reduce the major cause of workplace injuries and create safer environments for everyone.
FAQs
You are a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking) if you conduct any business or undertaking, alone or with others, whether for profit or not-for-profit. This includes sole traders, partnerships, companies, unincorporated bodies, and even volunteer associations that employ workers. However, you are not a PCBU if you are engaged solely as a worker or officer of someone else’s business.
The model Code of Practice “Managing the risk of falls at workplaces” is available through Safe Work Australia, but it must be approved by your state or territory regulator to have legal effect. Check with your local WHS regulator to confirm if the model Code of Practice has been approved in your jurisdiction.
You must be at least 14 years old to obtain a construction induction card (white card), which is mandatory for anyone working on or visiting construction sites in Australia. The white card requires completing the nationally recognised training unit CPCWHS1001 “Prepare to work safely in the construction industry”.
