Work at height is any task where a person is at risk of serious injury from a fall from one level to another. This might involve working on a roof, using a ladder, working from a scaffold or elevated platform, or even operating near an unprotected edge or opening that leads to a significant height drop with potential injury.

As a PCBU, building owner, or asset manager, understanding your safe work at height obligations is a legal requirement. The regulatory framework in Australia places clear, enforceable duties on those who control or manage workplaces to eliminate or minimise fall risks so far as is reasonably practical.

Understanding the work at height regulations in Australia

Australian legislation does not actually stipulate a minimum height threshold to define work from heights. While many overseas jurisdictions specifically define heights as two metres or similar, Australian safe work law keeps the focus on any height that presents potential for injury, rather than a specific distance.

In the simplest terms, if a fall could occur and cause harm, it is considered working at height. Having a broad risk- rather than distance-based definition means that a variety of tasks are covered, including:

• Roof access for maintenance or inspection
• Working near unprotected edges or penetrations
• Accessing plant or services located above ground level
• Using ladders, scaffolding or elevated work platforms
• Routine building maintenance such as cleaning, servicing or repairing equipment positioned at height
• Working on mezzanines, racking systems or loading docks.

Safe Work Australia is the national policy body responsible for developing the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws. These model laws are adopted by most Australian jurisdictions and form the basis of the duties relating to working at height.

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/law-and-regulation/model-whs-laws

The Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws have been adopted by most Australian jurisdictions and form the basis of workplace safety regulation across the country. However, Victoria and Western Australia operate under different legislative frameworks, and there may also be variations in regulations, Codes of Practice and enforcement approaches between states and territories. If you are unsure of your requirements or need the most up-to-date information on your obligations, please reach out to your state’s jurisdictional WHS contacts.

Your responsibilities to maintain work at height safety

Although terminology varies between jurisdictions, the central duty is consistent: A PCBU, building owner or asset manager must eliminate the risk of falls, or if elimination is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

This obligation applies regardless of whether work is performed by direct employees, contractors, subcontractors or other site visitors. Responsibility doesn’t transfer to workers, though they do need to be aware of risks and feel confident in site process and procedures in the event of a fall.

At a practical level, key responsibilities include:

• Selecting engineering controls (e.g., guardrails, platforms) in preference to PFPE
• Ensuring height safety systems, scaffolds and other elevated work platforms are designed, erected and operated by qualified people
• Providing clear procedures, permits and supervision for high-risk tasks
• Ensuring emergency and rescue procedures in case of a fall are in place and tested

Everyone has a role to play in work height safety. Directors and PCBUs are legally accountable for all safety systems and resources on site. They are also responsible for verifying that inspections are conducted, controls remain effective and compliance documentation is current.

Supervisors and facility managers assist to implement and enforce height safety procedures on site. They must verify that controls are installed correctly, that equipment is inspected, and that unsafe work is stopped immediately.

Workers and contractors must also take care for their own safety and that of others on site. They must be confident with operating safety equipment and systems, and know the procedures for reporting risks on site and the steps to take in a fall emergency.

Applying the hierarchy of control

The hierarchy of control is a risk management tool used to eliminate or reduce hazards. It’s a legal requirement under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws in Australia.

The hierarchy ranks control measures from most effective (Level 1) to least effective (Level 4). PCBUs must always work from the top down.

Level 1: Elimination

The most effective way to manage work at height risks is to eliminate the need to work at height altogether. This could mean bringing the work to ground level wherever possible, ensuring as much work can be done on the ground as possible before needing to work at heights, or relocating controls and equipment.

Level 2: Substitution, isolation or engineering controls

If elimination is not possible, the next step is to implement one of the following controls to reduce the risk of falls from heights:

Substitution: implement something safer to reduce the risk.

Isolation: isolate workers from the risk with physical barriers preventing unauthorised access.

Engineering controls: reduce fall risk by making engineering changes or changes to the systems of work.

If you’re unsure of what can be done to improve safety on your site, our team can conduct a site visit to assess and advise on next steps.

Level 3: Administrative Controls

Administrative controls reduce exposure to risk through procedures, training and site code of conduct. Examples include Safe Work Method Statements, regular training, work permits, signage and safety inspections conducted by a qualified partner.

Level 4: Personal Fall Protective Equipment (PFPE)

PFPE is the last line of defence for falls from heights and includes harnesses, fall arrest systems and inertia reels.

When your workers are using PFPE, you must ensure that:

• Anchor points are compliant and certified
• Rescue procedures are documented and rehearsed regularly
• Equipment is inspected and maintained
• Workers are trained and competent to operate PFPE

Achieving & maintaining ongoing compliance

Maintaining a compliant site for working at heights can prove challenging – not only do you need to adapt to complex and evolving national standards, you must maintain regular inspections, training schedules and site processes.

At Safety Plus, our team serve as your long-term partner for safety compliance. We provide an end-to-end solution that starts with site and equipment audits and inspections, rectification or implementation of height safety systems, periodic inspections thereafter and full on-the-job training.

If you’d like to find out more about how we can help you uphold your legislative responsibilities and ensure your team stay risk aware, get in touch with us today.