Learn how to choose the right height safety equipment, manage fall risks and stay compliant on your worksite
Fall prevention and fall arrest protection are critical WHS control measures for working at heights. According to Safe Work Australia, fall prevention should be the first priority, with fall arrest systems used only when prevention is not reasonably practicable.
Fall prevention measures include:
- Risk assessments and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS)
- Use of passive systems like guardrails, scaffolding and safety mesh
- Administrative controls and training
Fall protection equipment must meet Australian Standards and be suitable for the task, whether you're working on housing construction, elevated platforms or industrial sites.
Determining the risk
Anyone on your team working more than 2 metres off the ground on roofs, scaffolding or elevated work platforms must be adequately protected from the risk of falls.
Your worksite should always comply with WHS regulations. If you are uncertain regarding fall hazards or other height safety issues on your site, consult with a height safety specialist.
Managing the risk
If fall hazards are identified on a site, there are various ways they can be managed to eliminate or lower the risk. Safe Work Australia outlines a hierarchy of control measures for fall risks:
- Eliminate the risk: If work can be conducted at a lower height, or in a safer location, no special action needs to be taken.
- Fall prevention systems: Guard rails, barriers, safety mesh and other passive systems are enough in many cases for lowering the risk.
- Work positioning systems: Rope-based systems such as static lines and roof anchors that can lower the risk of personnel falling. Workers must be specially trained in their use.
- Fall injury prevention systems: Worn by personnel when working at height or using elevating work platforms, these systems cannot prevent falls, but are designed to reduce the severity of injuries.
- Administrative controls – Signage, procedures and supervision.
What training is needed?
Employees working at height or inspecting fall protection systems need to complete a nationally recognised training course with a registered training organisation (RTO). Depending on their role and responsibilities, this may include:
- EWP Yellow Card training covers scissor lifts, vertical lifts and other elevated work platforms of heights below 11 metres.
- High Risk Work Licence is required for cherry picker hire and other access equipment higher than 11 metres.
- Working Safely at Heights training course covers the competency required to work safely at heights and depths, including safe work practices, risk management and use of PPE.
- Height Safety Equipment Inspection training covers the knowledge and skills needed to carry out inspections of harnesses, lanyards and other protective equipment.
Explore our safety equipment range. For more information, read Safe Work's Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces
