Serious fall incidents involving voids (2 October 2025)
On 2 October 2025 three workers were installing flashing around a ladder access void from upon the roof of a single-storey commercial property. A worker fell approximately 3.8 metres through an unprotected void onto a concrete slab below sustaining fatal injuries.
On 21 October 2025 a sole trader was engaged to undertake labouring work at a residential construction project, the worker was working on the first floor of the town house standing on a void protection system when it collapsed causing the worker to fall approximately 3.3 metres to the ground and subsequently being struck by the falling planks and components of the void protection. The worker suffered serious injuries.
Safety information
Falls from heights are the leading cause of fatalities and traumatic injuries in the NSW building and construction industry. Most falls from height occur because of uncovered voids/penetrations or there was no guardrail in place.
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working at heights and working around voids/penetrations.
Ensure:
- controls for penetrations and voids are considered during project concept planning and at all stages of construction. This should include what working at heights controls will be required and how to safely install the controls. penetration and void controls are designed fit-for-purpose to prevent falls and objects falling; and to withstand construction loads of workers and materials
- edge protection such as guard rails are installed to all penetrations, voids and edges
- temporary access such as scaffolding stairways are installed to provide safe access and egress from all work areas and levels of the work site
- lower order control measures such as harness-based restraint or fall arrest systems are designed to be used until covers or physical edge protection is installed
- covers are secured in position and are clearly identified so they are not mistaken for construction materials
- regular inspections are completed before and during shifts of the implemented controls to ensure they are functioning as designed
- a site-specific Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed and implemented where the risk of falls is two metres or more
- all workers receive adequate information, training and instruction and hold a valid General Construction Induction Card (White Card)
- all workers complete a site induction
- all workers complete regular toolbox talks, identifying hazards and risks as construction works progress and site changes
- emergency plans are prepared, maintained and implemented.
Related guidance material
- Code of Practice - Managing risks of falls at workplaces (PDF, 2326.56 KB)
- Code of Practice - Managing the risks of falls in housing construction (PDF, 2296.79 KB)
- Code of Practice - Construction Work (PDF, 1014.41 KB)
- Falls though voids - safety information
- Fall through stair void animation - YouTube SafeWork NSW