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WORKING AT HEIGHTS

Working at heights is covered in clauses 56 - 61 of the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation 2001

Generally, employers must ensure that risks associated with falls from a height are controlled by use of the following measures to prevent falls of over 2 metres:

· a stable and securely fenced work platform (such as scaffolding or other form of portable work platform), or

· if compliance with the above is not reasonably practicable, then secure perimeter screens, fencing, handrails or other forms of physical barriers capable of preventing falls, or

· if the above is not reasonably practicable then other forms of physical restraints, eg. safety harnesses, that can arrest falls must be used

Relevant publications:

» Code of Practice: Safety Line Systems (NSW WorkCover)

» Code of Practice: Safe Work on Roofs, Part 1, Commercial and Industrial Buildings (NSW WorkCover)

» Code of Practice: Safe Work on Roofs, Part 2, Residential Buildings (NSW WorkCover)

» Portable Ladders (NSW WorkCover)

» Advice on crane workboxes (NSW WorkCover)

» Proximity Hazards and Building Maintenance Units (BMUs) (WHS Qld - PDF file) BMUs, scaffolds, etc.

» AS/NZS 4576:1995 : Guidelines for scaffolding gives practical guidance for the training and certification of scaffolders, the preparation of sites for scaffolding, and the safe selection, supply, erection, alteration, dismantling, maintenance, inspection and use of scaffolding and scaffolding equipment and can be purchased from Standards Australia.

Other relevant Australian Standards: