Prevention of Falls when Working at Heights

2. Assessing and controlling the risks

2.1 Assessing working at heights risks

The principal or their delegate must determine the level of risk by assessing the identified hazards in consultation with health and safety representatives (HSRs) or affected individuals.

Template risk assessments and safe work procedures for common working at heights tasks (such as setting up theatre lights, cleaning gutters and windows and retrieving items off roofs) can be used by schools as a reference tool to help inform the development of the required SWMS. These provide information on the components of the hazard, the associated risks and appropriate example controls, and are available for schools to download from the Resources tab.

Before any working at heights related work is undertaken, individuals must provide the principal or delegate with a Safe Work Method Statement (see section 2.4 Safe Work Method Statements).

The OHS Advisory Service and Statewide OHS Services Team can provide advice on preventing and managing working at height hazards and risks, including assessing the level of risk.

2.2 Controlling working at heights risk

The principal or their delegate must ensure risk controls are documented in the school’s OHS risk register in consultation with affected school staff and HSRs, where elected.

When identifying and implementing appropriate controls, consider the following when discussing the task with individuals undertaking the work:

1. Is this task appropriate for the trained individual to undertake or should this be completed by a qualified contractor?
2. Can this work be undertaken completely or partially from the ground or a solid structure (for example, installing equipment such as an air-conditioner at ground level, where possible)?
3. If this work does need to occur at heights, where is the safest space to complete this work? Consider the ground surfacing, positioning of equipment to access the hazardous area.
4. Does the trained individual feel comfortable completing the task at height?
5. What changes can be made to reduce access to the hazardous area? For example, designated reinforced walkways, provision of appropriate edge protection in accordance with AS/NZS 1657 (for example, guard rails, handrails and so on).
6. What equipment can be used in order to prevent falls from occurring? For example, the use of work positioning systems to restrict an individual’s range of movement so they cannot physically travel to the fall hazard (for example, travel restraint systems) and the installation of roof anchor points in accordance with AS/NZS 1891.
7. What equipment can be used to keep someone safe if a fall does occur? For example, the use of a fall arrest system (for example, safety harness and lanyard) which is set up in such a manner that if a fall occurs, the fall is arrested within acceptable force and clearance margins.

In many cases a combination of controls will be required to eliminate or reduce the risk of a fall.

Note: As there are considerable hazards involved, as well as maintenance and inspection requirements, it is strongly recommended that tasks at heights are undertaken by qualified contractors, particularly those requiring the use of safety fall arrest systems.

For further information regarding safety fall arrest systems, including the regular inspection and maintenance of anchor points, please refer to the relevant guidelines and requirements outlined in the Asset Information Management System (AIMS) policy and the Buildings and Grounds Maintenance and Compliance policy. The School Asset Leadership Unit can be contacted for further support or guidance: schoolasset.leadership@education.vic.gov.au

2.3 Work safely at heights training

The principal or their delegate are to ensure that school staff, including volunteers, who as part of their role are required to work at heights, are trained in the competency-based Work safely at heights training course (RIIWHS204E). The nationally recognised course covers theoretical and practical aspects of working at heights and is available through Registered Training Organisations. At a minimum, the refresher course must be completed by school staff and volunteers every 2 years (refresher course requirement not applicable to contractors).

2.4 Safe work method statements

The principal or their delegate must ensure that the trained individual undertaking the work has supplied a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for all tasks where there is the potential to fall more than 2 metres. The SWMS must be sighted and signed (to acknowledge sighting) by the principal or their delegate prior to the commencement of works, and retained in accordance with the Records Management – School records policy.

A template SWMS is available for schools to download from the Resources tab.

The SWMS at a minimum must include the following:

• controls identified to prevent a fall from height, for example:
  • work from ground so far as is reasonably practicable
  • all work platforms, scaffolds are fitted with toe boards
  • roof condition, such as condition, pitch, type of material, is assessed from the ground prior to accessing
  • all work platforms have secure handrails
• controls identified to prevent objects falling onto persons below, for example:
  • barricade area below to prevent access to work area
  • secure the construction site
  • loose objects are secured
• access and egress to/from worksite, for example:
  • installation of support systems to brace the trench (benching, shoring)
  • spotter is positioned at bottom of ladder
• isolation of worksite and signage, for example:
  • use of trench covers to secure trench when unattended
  • signage is available indicating works are being carried out
• installation and use of passive fall prevention device(s) or work positioning systems, where required, for example:
  • persons working at height and using fall arrest systems have been properly trained
  • persons wear full fall arrest type harness secured to anchorage points or static lines
  • use of passive fall prevention devices, for example, scissor lift by a licenced contractor
• emergency response procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE), for example:
  • rescue from height/fall procedures are in place
  • PPE is worn at all times
• safe use of ladders, for example:
  • all ladders are inspected for damage and deterioration
  • all ladders are secured to prevent movement
  • always maintain 3 points of contact (for example, two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot) with the ladder at all times
  • never hold tools or materials and always face the ladder when climbing or descending
  • use non-slip secure footwear
  • ladders to extend at least one metre above upper landing or roof
  • all ladders have a load rating of 120 kg, are industrial rated and comply with Australian Standards
  • a spotter is positioned at bottom of ladder.

Note: As ladders are often used when working at heights, it is important that the ladder that offers the highest level of protection is selected prior to commencing work. Ladders should only be used for short-duration tasks. “A-frame” ladders provide the least stability and flexibility and should only be used for light work of a short duration.

The principal or their delegate has the power to stop/halt work where they believe the relevant SWMS is not being followed.