FALLS
Are a major cause of work related
fatalities and serious injuries.
Within the department, falls from height
accounts for approximately 7% of
compensable injuries.
There are specific regulations relating to
the management of fall hazards.
DEFINITIONS:
Fall – a fall by a person from one level to another.
Falling object – an unsecured object (e.g. a
spanner) falling from height can cause serious
injuries if controls are not implemented to
eliminate or minimise the associated risks.
Fall hazard – a circumstance that exposes a
worker in a workplace to a risk of a fall that is
reasonably likely to cause injury to the worker or
other person.
WHAT IS A FALL
HAZARD?
A fall hazard is an anything that exposes
a worker or another person to the risk of
a fall that may injure them.
COMMON FALL HAZARDS
Retrieving items from the roofs
(e.g. balls, shoes)
Cleaning roof gutters
Cleaning high windows, fans
Changing light bulbs
Opening/closing out of reach
windows
Accessing items on high shelving
COMMON FALL
HAZARDS continued
Easy access to roofs (poor design)
Working on roofs
Using ladders
Working on fragile, slippery or sloping
surfaces
WHAT IS A RISK ASSESSMENT?
A risk assessment process aims to remove fall hazards
or reduce the level of their risk by adding precautions to
keep you and others safe.
The process is:
Identify fall hazards.
Evaluate the risk associated with any
hazards.
Determine appropriate ways to eliminate
or control the hazard.
By controlling the risks, you have created a safer work
environment for you and others.
CONTROL MEASURES FOR FALL
RISKS
Five Level Hierarchy Of Control
Level 1: Perform the work on the ground or on a
solid construction.
Level 2: Use a passive fall prevention device
e.g. cherry picker, install guard rails, mobile
scaffold.
Level 3: Use a work positioning system
e.g. a travel restraint system
Level 4: Use a fall arrest system
Level 5: Use a ladder or administrative control
Level 1: Perform Work From
Ground Or Solid Construction
Ask yourself:
Do I really need top work at height?
If you don’t need to go up, then don’t!
Examples:
Use a long handled device to clean high
windows, gutters, change signboards
etc.
Use a contractor to complete work
Level 2: Passive Fall Prevention Device
Passive devices are used for temporary
work at heights and are designed to
prevent workers from falling.
Once in place they do not require any
further adjustment by workers using the
device.
Level 3: Work Positioning System
These systems involve the use of
equipment that allows a person to work
supported in a harness under tension in
such a way that a fall is prevented.
Example
A skilled contractor uses a travel restraint
system when performing work on a roof
Level 4: Fall Arrest System
Level 4 systems minimize injury once a fall
has occurred rather than avoiding it in the
first place. They should NOT be used
unless:
the operator is trained, has a high level
of skill, and undertakes ongoing training.
systems undergo regular inspection.
there is at least one other competent
person present to perform a rescue in
case of a fall.
Level 5: Use A Ladder Or Administrative
Controls Continued
Administrative controls are also level 5 controls.
These are systems of work or work procedures
that help to reduce the exposure of employees
to fall hazards where it is not reasonably
practicable to use higher level controls.
They may also be used to support other control
measures that are put in place.
TRAINING
Employees should be trained in safe
operations before attempting to do any
activities involving fall hazards.
Training is to be commensurate with the
level of risk and types of controls to be
used.
Some plant, machinery and activities
require specific training and licensing,
e.g. erection of scaffold.
Department Risk Management
Processes
Work at Heights Task
Any activity that involves being on, or working on any roof at any state school
facility.
Activities where you already know the risks and know how to control them.
A new activity or a significant change to an existing activity that involves a fall
hazard of less than 2 metres.
Tasks that involve fall hazards of 2 metres or more above the ground (measured
from the feet).
OR
Tasks that involve fall hazards of 1.5 metres below ground level (measured from
the feet).
KEY MESSAGES
Eliminate the need to perform tasks that expose persons to
a risk of falling
The new five level hierarchy of controls is to be followed to
decide upon control measures
Stay off ladders if at all possible – they should be used as
a last resort
Under no circumstances should chairs, tables, shelves etc.
be used to gain access to heights.
Only persons who have been trained and who are deemed
to be competent should perform activities that involve fall
hazards.
Allocate budget and resources to ensure that fall hazards
are eliminated or minimised
