Working at Heights

Why it matters

A fall of more than two metres is high risk construction work, and falls are still one of the biggest killers on Australian building sites. The controls exist and they work: the danger is treating "just a quick one" at the edge as an exception. There are no quick exceptions at height.

Hazards

• ⚠ Unprotected edges, penetrations, and voids
• ⚠ Working off the top of a ladder instead of a platform
• ⚠ Fragile roof surfaces and skylights that will not hold weight
• ⚠ Falling tools and materials onto people below
• ⚠ Harnesses worn but not connected, or connected to nothing rated
• ⚠ Wind and weather changing footing without warning

Controls and safe practices

• ✓ Follow the hierarchy in reg 36: eliminate the fall first (do it on the ground), then edge protection, then a work platform, then a travel-restraint or fall-arrest system last.
• ✓ Guard or cover every penetration and void, and mark the cover.
• ✓ Fall-arrest systems and anchors must meet AS/NZS 1891, be rated, inspected, and connected before you reach the edge.
• ✓ Set exclusion zones and use toe boards or mesh so tools cannot fall on the crew below.
• ✓ Never walk a fragile roof without walkboards and a plan for the skylights.
• ✓ Stop height work in high wind or wet conditions and reassess.

Crew discussion questions

1. Where are the unprotected edges and penetrations on this site today?
2. Can any of today's height work be done on the ground instead?
3. Who inspects the harnesses and anchors, and when were they last checked?
4. Where is the crew working below us, and how are we protecting them?

Applicable WHS citations

reg 78, reg 79, AS/NZS 1891

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