28 Jul The Australian Regulations for Height Safety Compliance
Make sure your workplace meets the Australian regulations.
Height safety compliance is not something you should take lightly. If you, your workers, or any contractors you employ need to work at heights as part of your regular duties, you need to ensure that your premises are safe and compliant. The consequences of an unsafe workplace can be dire, so you need to understand the regulations and your duties.
Here is our guide to height safety regulations.
We are well across relevant height safety regulations at Australian Height Safety Services and ensure that all fall protection systems we provide are well within compliance. Please contact our helpful team directly for further advice.
What are the regulations?
It is the responsibility of businesses to ensure their workers are not exposed to health and safety risks.
Height safety requirements in Australian workplaces are determined by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (the WHS Act).
Under the WHS Act, a person conducting a business or undertaking has the primary responsibility to ensure that workers are not exposed to health and safety risks that could arise from the business or undertaking.
In relation to fall hazards, the WHS Act requires you to ensure the following:
- That work is carried out on the ground or a solid construction (as much as reasonably practical)
- That safe means of access to exit from the workplace is provided
- That a fall prevention device, work positioning system, or fall arrest system is used to minimise the risk of falls
If you are an officer (such as a company director or OHS officer), then you have a duty of care and must exercise due diligence in ensuring that your workplace is compliant with the WHS Act.
You can find detailed height safety information in the Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplace Code of Practice produced by Safe Work Australia. The Code of Practice is approved under Section 274 of the WHS Act.
The code of practice provides practical information to employers and OHS officers about height safety regulations and the specific equipment and procedures that you need to achieve height safety compliance.
How Do You Know if Your Workplace is Compliant?
You will need height safety equipment if your workers need to work at heights above 2m.
If any personnel or contractors perform high risk construction work and\ need to work at a height of over 2 metres or within 2 metres of a fall edge, then you will need height safety and fall prevention equipment (such as guardrails and industrial fall arrest systems).
The design and installation of fall protection equipment and administrative controls must be carried out by a qualified height safety professional.
They will determine what is required for your workplace to achieve height safety compliance, including the type of height safety equipment and how it needs to be installed.
Depending on the needs of your premises and the type of work being carried out, you may require one or more different types of fall protection equipment, including:
- Walkways
- Guardrails
- Fall arrest devices
- Anchor points
- Ladders
It is common for Australian businesses to have non-compliant premises, so if you are not sure whether your current height safety equipment and procedures are sufficient to achieve compliance, then you need to have your premises inspected by a height safety professional.
A height safety inspector will be able to provide you with a compliance certificate if your current equipment is sufficient or a recommendation for what you need to have installed to be compliant. You can also seek guidance from WorkSafe or WorkCover.
If it is determined by an expert that your premises are not height safety compliant, then the area is deemed inaccessible, and work must stop until the appropriate equipment is installed. Work cannot recommence until this is completed. Failure to comply can result in fines and other legal action.
What are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?
There are significant consequences for businesses and business owners whose premises are non-compliant. Fines can start at $250,000, and punishments can include jail terms if non-compliant practices or equipment result in the serious injury or death of a worker.
WorkSafe regularly performs inspections of workplaces across Australia. If your premises are not compliant with Australian regulations, then you are risking the safety of your workers as well as the consequences that come with non-compliance.
Get Expert Advice on Working at Heights Standard Australia
When dealing with an issue as serious as fall hazard height safety compliance, it is essential that all inspections and installations are carried out by a licensed height safety specialist and that they use high-quality products and equipment.
Unlicensed installers will not be able to provide a compliant height safety system, while inexperienced installers may not install the products to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Australian Height Safety Services are experts in workplace safety regulations. We can inspect your premises and provide height safety certification, as well as recommend and install the necessary equipment to ensure compliance.
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