Controlling the risk of falls

Your employer is required to control the risk of falls from any height,

Construction work involving a risk of a fall from more than two metres is classed as high-risk construction work and further safety duties apply.

High risk work must not commence unless a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) has been introduced and all workers are comfortable with the work methods put in place.

The safe work method statement must:

• Identify work that is high risk
• State the hazards and risks to health or safety of that work
• Sufficiently describe measures to control those risks
• Describe how the control measures will be implemented

If the Safe Work Method Statement is not being followed the work must stop.

Hierarchy of Risk Control for Prevention of Falls

Elimination

Eliminate the hazard. Undertake the work from ground level or from a solid platform.

Substitution

Change the activity to undertake the work from a safe zone. Relocation of equipment requiring maintenance should be considered to eliminate the requirement for the operator to enter the danger zone.

Isolation

Separate the worker from the hazard by means of a fall protection device. A screen, barrier or guardrail will effectively prevent a fall whilst work is being undertaken.

Engineering

Manage the risk using an engineered control. Work undertaken using fall arrest systems (harnesses) requires operator training but it will prevent a fall from occurring when used correctly.

Administration

Control the risk using procedure. Control the environment using signage, demarcation line marking and operational instructions.

It is important to note that the level of Hierarchy of Control is equivalent to the risk of injury. A lesser control measure requires greater skill of the operator and is therefore the least preferred option.

Always check with your supervisor or OH&S rep before doing any work at heights