7 metre fall on construction site - 23 September 2020
A 29-year-old concrete cutter fell approximately 7 metres after temporary edge protection gave way on a construction site at Caringbah. He was taken to hospital with back and pelvic injuries.
Safety information
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with falls on construction sites.
You must:
- develop a plan – in consultation with workers and before work begins – for managing the risk of falls on site, including in and around excavations
- make sure excavations, trenches and openings are securely fenced to prevent falls and unauthorised access
- ensure that temporary edge protection has sufficient height and strength
- provide safe access for workers that is clearly defined and free of debris or stored materials
- limit access to excavations and trenches to only those required to work in or near the area
- have adequate site fencing to prevent unauthorised access to the site.
Statistics
Falls from heights are the biggest killer on NSW construction sites. This is the ninth incident information release published by SafeWork NSW this year relating to a serious fall incident.
On-the-spot fines of up to $3,600 may be issued for placing workers lives at risk by not protecting them when working at heights.