Falls from heights account for many injuries and deaths in the Australian workforce - and nearly all of these are preventable. Follow this guide to ensure that employees working in high places do not endanger themselves or other people on the ground that are exposed to falling objects.
Step 1 – Issue a Permit to Work
Any work at heights should be the subject of a Permit to Work. This should include work on roofs or other high places such as scaffolding or high walkways. Specifically, a Permit to Work should be issued for any task that involves a fall hazard (i.e. in VIC, a fall of at least 2 metres) and is required to be undertaken:
- on any plant or structure being constructed, demolished, inspected, tested, maintained, repaired or cleaned
- on a fragile, slippery or potentially unstable surface
- using equipment to gain access to an elevated level or to carry out the task at an elevated level
- on a sloping surface that makes it difficult to maintain balance
- in close proximity to an unprotected edge
- in close proximity to a hole, shaft or pit which is of sufficient dimensions to allow a person to fall into the hole, shaft or pit
The Permit Issuer should consider hazards such as the fall of personnel and falling objects (materials, tools, etc) which may endanger persons below. Wherever possible, Elevated Work Platforms should be used in lieu of personnel climbing on structures.
Step 2 – Do a risk assessment
Prior to the issue of a Permit to Work, a risk assessment of the task should be conducted.
When conducting the risk assessment, the following hierarchy of controls for working at heights should be utilised:
- the task should be carried out on the ground or on a solid construction or, if this is not practicable;
- a passive fall prevention device such as a temporary work platform, roof safety mesh or guard-railing should be used, or, if this is not practicable;
- a work positioning system should be used, or if this is not practicable;
- a fall injury prevention system should be used, or if this is not practicable;
- a fixed or portable ladder or an administrative control should be used.
The selected control measures should be included in the Permit to Work and the personnel carrying out the work should comply with all the control measures and precautions, as specified.
Full records of the Permits and selected control measures should be kept for a period of 2 years.
Step 3 – Protect from falling objects
When persons below may be exposed to risk of falling objects, fencing-off the area immediately below the work and the posting of warning signs, should be considered. In some jurisdictions. incidents involving objects falling from heights have to be reported to the appropriate authorities, even if the event did not result in an actual injury.
Step 4 – Assess the work on roofs
Roofs on which personnel are required to work should be as specified in Australian Standard AS 1562. Any other roofs should be considered as fragile. The installation of permanent walkways and stairs should be considered for roofs where regular access is required (e.g. cleaning, maintenance. or inspection of roof-mounted equipment).
Fragile roofs should be sign-posted and special means such as crawl-boards used. In addition, skylights and roof openings should be identified and measures taken to prevent persons walking on them, e.g. by barricading or use of a restraint system. Where it is impracticable to physically prevent access to such openings, a fall arrest system should be used, including the use of safety harness and effective anchorage point.
Step 5 – Safe scaffolding
Work on scaffolding should only be on complete scaffolding, unless the work involves erection or dismantling of the scaffolding.
All personnel involved in scaffolding and rigging work should hold the appropriate certificate of competency in accordance with the National Occupational Health and Safety Certification Standard for Users and Operators of Industrial Equipment.
Step 6 – Provide fall-arrest devices
Where considered necessary (e.g. working at very high places) fall-arrest devices should be used.
General advice warning
The information on this site is of a general nature only. It does not take your specific needs or circumstances into consideration. You should look at your own situation and requirements before making any decisions.
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