Working at heights Australian standards and regulations

Working at heights is a high safety risk for many Australian workplaces. Managing and mitigating this risk is a critical but highly complex task.

There are countless standards and codes of practice, some of which are required by law, while others are not. Height safety experts have the knowledge and experience to understand what is required for a safe work environment at heights and put the necessary systems in place.

Ensure the safety of your staff by consulting with a working at heights specialist. Contact the experienced team at MAINsafety to discuss your responsibilities today.

‍

Who is responsible for working at heights WHS?

Everyone has WHS responsibilities when working at heights. There are three groups which have specific responsibilities, however, according to the Model Work Health and Safety Bill, 2019:

• A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)
• A designer, manufacturer, importer, supplier and installer of plant, substances or structures
• An officer

Workers are responsible for their own health and safety and are required to not purposely put themselves or others at risk. They must also follow any reasonable instructions from a PCBU that don’t contradict this. 

Failing to comply with these responsibilities can result in a fine or imprisonment, as well as put workers at risk of serious injury or even death.This is where a height safety specialist or inspector can ensure you are meeting WHS requirements.

‍

At what height is fall protection required in Australia?

There are a number of Australian Standards that cover different height safety situations:

• AS 1657:2018 Fixed Platforms, Walkways, Stairways and Ladders
• AS/NZS 1891.1 Part 1: Safety Belts and Harnesses
• AS/NZS 1891.2 Part 2: Horizontal Lifeline and Rail Systems
• AS/NZS 1891:3 Part 3: Fall Arrest Devices
• AS/NZS 1891.4 Part 4: Selection, Use and Maintenance of Industrial Fall Arrest Systems and Devices
• AS2625 Safe Working in a Confined Space
• AS/NZS ISO 22846 Industrial Rope Access Systems
• AS/NZS 5532 Manufacturers requirements for single point anchors.

The Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks is a guide for PCBUs and is generally not strictly enforced. However, any use of the word ‘must’ in these documents indicates a legal obligation.

Construction work with the risk of falling two metres or more is considered high risk and requires a Safe Work Method Statement. This is an official document used to document potential risks involved in high-risk work and the systems in place to minimse them. There is a separate Code of Practice for construction work which should also be considered.

‍

‍

Working at heights safety management

There’s a lot to lose when working at heights. With so many standards and regulations, some being mandatory and others not, it can be difficult to assess what systems you need in place for your business or project. 

An experienced height safety expert has the knowledge to use these regulations appropriately and assess what systems are needed. They can also conduct mandatory periodic inspections of your fall protection equipment as dictated by the specific equipment used in your system.

A MAINsafety inspection includes:

• Comprehensive testing, inspection, maintenance and certification
• Determining access requirements and frequency
• Assessing if the current system is fit for purpose
• Creating an asset register for improved record keeping and ongoing maintenance
• Specialised risk assessment by our accredited team
• A thorough report including non-compliance and risk rating
• A personalised system layout
• An inspection of each height safety system to assess compliance 

Only accredited height safety equipment inspectors are qualified to carry out these inspections. 

Following a comprehensive inspection, a height safety expert can design the systems you need based on the hierarchy of control. These are control measures that are ranked on their effectiveness. The highest level of control that is reasonably practicable should be used. 

‍

The working at heights hierarchy of control according to Safe Work Australia is:

1. Remove the risk of falling, e.g.: working from the ground or a solid construction with a safe means of accessing and exiting.
2. Minimise the risk of falling by providing adequate fall prevention systems.

1. Provide a fall protection device, e.g.: scaffolding and elevated work platforms.
2. Provide a work positioning system, e.g.: restrain techniques using harnesses and industrial rope access systems.
3. Provide a fall arrest system, e.g.: safety nets and catch platforms.

1. Apply administrative controls, e.g.: no go areas and permit systems.

A height safety expert can provide the installation details and requirements that follow the hierarchy of control. This will depend on a number of factors such as the material of a roof and its pitch and may require other licensed workers like plumbers for more specialised work and to provide certificates of compliance.

‍

Expert height safety installations and inspections

MAINsafety has an expert team that can provide tailored solutions for your working at heights projects. These solutions can ensure the safety of everyone involved and comply with local regulations.

Protect your workers from falling risks by contacting the MAINsafety team about a personalised height safety and access system. Our skilled team can design, supply, install and certify a solution for you.

‍

CONTACT US