Working safely at heights: Employer responsibilities and risk management 

Falls from heights remain a significant contributor to workplace injuries and fatalities. Employers must remain vigilant and continually review their risk management strategies to reduce incidents. 

Key statistics: Falls, trips and slips in Australian workplaces

According to Safe Work Australia, falls, trips and slips of a person accounted for 32,000 serious claims, representing 21.8 per cent of all serious claims. Of these:

• Falls on the same level accounted for 68.3 per cent
• Falls from a height accounted for 24.4 per cent
• Stepping, kneeling or sitting on objects accounted for 7.3 per cent

Fatal injuries for falls from a height represented 13 per cent of all fatal injuries, with 24 fatalities recorded. These figures highlight the importance of effective risk management for working at heights.

Source: Safe Work Australia.

Your responsibilities as an employer or PCBU

If your workplace involves working at heights, it is essential to understand the associated risks and implement effective safety procedures. Begin by considering whether working at height is necessary, and if the risk can be eliminated through redesigning the workplace or modifying processes. Where elimination is not possible, controls must be put in place to protect employees, contractors, labour hire workers, and visitors.

Key controls for working at heights

• Working on the ground or on a solid construction
• Installing secure guardrails and fences on raised or portable platforms
• Using work positioning systems
• Implementing fall restraint systems
• Installing fall arrest systems

Professional advice should be sought to determine the most appropriate controls for your workplace and to ensure correct installation.

For comprehensive guidance, refer to the model code of practice, ‘Managing the risk of falls in the workplace’, which covers risk management processes, fall prevention devices, and work positioning systems.

Assessing the risk

The risk level of working at heights can be influenced by factors such as weather, terrain, and lighting. A thorough risk assessment, such as a Job Safety Analysis (JSA), should be completed, considering all relevant elements. Adequate training and competency empower employees and contractors to assess and implement appropriate safety measures.

For more information on managing risks associated with working at heights, visit Safe Work Australia’s Working at heights resources.

Practical steps for risk management

Safe Work Australia recommends a systematic approach to managing risks:

1. Identify hazards: Regularly inspect the workplace for potential fall risks.
2. Assess risks: Evaluate the likelihood and severity of falls.
3. Control risks: Apply the hierarchy of controls, prioritising elimination, then substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.
4. Review controls: Continually monitor and review the effectiveness of implemented controls.

Employers should document all risk management activities and ensure ongoing consultation with workers.

Training and competency

Ensuring all workers are trained and competent in working at heights is critical. Training should cover hazard identification, risk assessment, use of safety equipment, and emergency procedures. Employers must keep records of training and regularly refresh workers’ knowledge.

GIO can offer Workers Compensation Insurance for businesses in WA, NT, ACT and TAS. Complimentary training courses are available for GIO customers to help businesses prevent workplace injuries and reduce associated claims costs. Customers also have access to a wide range of discounted training courses provided through our partnership with National Safety Council of Australia (NSCA). For more information on the training courses or if you have any risk management queries, please get in touch.

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Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. In NSW, GIO manages claims as agent for the Workers Compensation Nominal Insurer ABN 83 564 379 108, also known as icare workers insurance.