Risk of falls in the workplace
A boost in the construction sector is anticipated following the Federal Government announcement of a $25,000 grant for eligible Australian’s to build or renovate.
Its a good time to review the risk of falls in the workplace.
Falls are a major cause of death and injury in Australian workplaces.
Working at Heights – all types of work where there is a risk of falling from one level to another, that is reasonably likely to cause injury.
Examples:
- working on a roof
- accessing a silo
- stacking shelves in a warehouse
- fall into a trench or service pit
How to manage the risk of falls? Conduct a risk assessment:
- Identify hazards
- Assess the risk
- Eliminate or control the risk
- Review control measures
How to record your risk assessment? Some examples:
- JHA – Job Hazard Analysis
- SWMS – Safe Work Method Statement
- Permit – Working at heights
Remember workers must be trained and have appropriate skills to carry out the task safely. Nationally accredited training is considered to be the minimum benchmark to which a worker is trained – see course RIIWHS204D Work safely at heights
5 June 2020
Claire Wears
