Work safely at heights in construction

Falls from heights are the number one cause of traumatic fatalities in the NSW building and construction industry.

 

Many workers fall from A-frame style step ladders because they were working from the top two rungs, or over-reaching.

• Make sure your ladder is tall enough so you don’t have to stand on the top two rungs (standing on the upper two rungs de-stabilises the ladder).
• Ensure the ladder is rated for industrial use, is well maintained, and free of obvious visual defects (cracks, significant bending, missing rivets/fasteners etc).
• Make sure the ground is solid and level so that all 4 feet of the ladder are in contact with the ground when set up.
• Ensure all locking devices (legs or bracket) on the ladder are secured.
• When working on the ladder, have both feet and one other point of contact i.e. hand, waist or upper torso.
• Don’t overreach. Move the ladder if you need to. Never lean so far that your belt buckle is outside the ladder stiles.

Many falls from extension ladders are because the ladder slipped outwards or sideways.

• Make sure your ladder is tall enough for the job. If you are using it to access a roof or another level, it needs to extend at least 1 metre past the landing. If you are using it to access a roof or another level, it needs to extend at least 1 metre past the landing.
• Make sure it is rated for industrial use and in good working order.
• Set it up so that it is not too close or too far from the support structure. The ratio should be 4:1. That means the base of the ladder is 1 metre away from the supporting structure, for every 4 metres of height.
• Wherever possible the ladder should be secured at the top and bottom.
• When climbing face the ladder, have both hands free to grip the ladder, and have at least one hand and one foot in contact with the ladder at all times.
• When working on the ladder, have both feet and one other point of contact i.e. hand, waist or upper torso.
• Use a tool pouch or similar if you need to carry tools.

 

The biggest risks for roof work are falling off the edge or through fragile roof materials. Safety measures include using:

• a physical barrier, such as a temporary roof edge protection system or scaffold
• skylight covers, crawl boards, or physically marked exclusion zones for fragile surfaces.

After completing a risk assessment and consulting with your workers, you need to determine if the use of a fall prevention system is possible. If it is not possible, only then should a harness-based restraint system or fall arrest system be considered. You need to be adequately trained in these systems before use.

Temporary roof edge protection, skylight covers and crawl boards are quick and easy to install. They are cost-effective and you can re-use them.

Roof resources

If you work on roofs, download the temporary edge protection (roof rails) fact sheet (PDF, 2885.66 KB). The fact sheet is also available in the following languages:

• Chinese simplified (PDF, 625.67 KB)
• Vietnamese (PDF, 364.77 KB)

Are you installing solar panels? Learn more about installing solar panels safely.

 

1. Constructed on solid foundations (using 1 sole board preferably)
2. Mesh installed to prevent debris falling onto neighbouring properties
3. Diagonal bracing installed (every 4th bay)
4. Adequately tied to the supporting structure
5. Platforms are not overloaded with materials
6. Handrails and mid-rails installed (to prevent external and internal falls)
7. Kickboards installed to all working decks
8. Safe access and egress onto stairs and between deck levels
9. Scaff tag at scaffold entrance – showing last inspection no more than 30 days ago

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