Falls from two metres or more
A fall from any height can cause serious injury or death. If the fall is from a height of two metres or more the risk of serious injury or death is increased.
The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide employers and employees with information on how to prevent or reduce workplace injuries resulting from fall hazards.
Fall hazards
A fall hazard is defined as an object or circumstance that will increase the risk of a fall. The objective is to eliminate or reduce the effect of identified fall hazards. All industry sectors are exposed to the risks presented by fall hazards although the level of incidence varies considerably.
The Occupational Health and Safety (Safety Standards) Regulations 1994 (the Regulations) outline the types of fall hazards which may be encountered at a workplace and these include but are not limited to:
- working on fragile, slippery, sloping or unstable surfaces
- working near unprotected edges, holes, shafts, pits or trenches
- working on construction, demolition, inspection, testing, maintenance, repair or cleaning of any plant structure
- using equipment to access elevated levels
Working at heights also increases the risk of injury associated with general hazards such as manual handling, exposure to ultraviolet radiation and exposure to hazardous or dangerous chemicals.
The injuries sustained as a result of falls are usually related to falls from equipment, vehicles, roofs, ladders, platforms, scaffolds, stairs, and falls into shafts and pits.
Risks
Falls from heights of two metres or more increase the likelihood that the person will sustain a serious injury. It is therefore essential to plan and effectively manage any activity that involves working from heights of two metres or more.
The injuries associated with falls from height range from short-term minor injuries to more permanent, severe disabilities. The types of injuries that can be sustained include fractures, sprains, and strains to all parts of the body. Falling onto hard surfaces can cause severe internal injuries and falls onto sharp objects can cause lacerations and contusions. Falls from heights remains the most common kind of accident causing fatal injuries on a construction site.Employers' duties
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (the Act) employers are required to provide and maintain, as far as practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health and safety. Employers should therefore systematically manage the risks to health and safety which relate to working at heights.
Employers can follow this four-step risk management process:
2. Assess the risk associated with the hazard.
3. Control or eliminate the risk.
4. Review the process and keep records of tasks performed and measures taken to eliminate and reduce fall hazards.
Employers need to ensure that a risk assessment is performed in the planning stage of a project and ensure adequate control measures are implemented. This includes covering or guarding all areas where people could fall from a height of two metres or more.
Employers must follow relevant Commonwealth regulations and give consideration to codes of practice. If a regulation or code does not exist for a specific hazard or risk, employers should choose a reliable source of guidance to follow.
Regulations
Part 13 of the Regulations details mandatory requirements for the prevention of falls from two metres or more. This includes the use of passive fall arrest systems and alternate control measures to working at ground level or on a solid structure.
Part 12 of the Regulations places further obligations on employers in control of a construction project. The Regulations require that particular areas of risk are assessed, occupational health and safety management plans are developed, and safe work method statements are obtained and followed.
Other sections of the Regulations that apply to managing the risk of falls when performing excavation work include:
- Part 4 Plant
- Part 5 Manual Handling
- Part 10 Electricity.
Codes of Practice
Employers should refer to the Occupational Health and Safety Code of Practice 2008, in particular:
- Part 1 Risk Management
- Part 2 First Aid
- Part 19 Ultraviolet Radiation in Sunlight
- Part 24 Falls in Construction.
Guidance Material
Employers may wish to refer to the Australian Standard—fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders—design, construction and installation (AS 1657-1992). This standard is available from SIA Global.
Employees' duties
Under the Act an employee must not take any action that creates or increases a risk to the health and safety of anyone at or near the workplace. An employee has an obligation to cooperate with their employer to manage the risks identified when working at heights. Employees should therefore:
- using risk control measures adopted by the employer
- using equipment/plant appropriately
- performing the task in accordance with instructions and training provided.
Further information
For further information on this topic please contact Comcare on the general enquiry line 1300 366 979 or by completing an online enquiry form.
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