The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (WHS Regulation) specifies the necessary control measures in situations where there is a potential fall risk of:
- Three meters in housing construction work.
- Two meters in other construction work.
This upholds the established standards for fall risks in construction work as outlined in the now-repealed Work Health and Safety Regulation 2008.
It's essential for workers at WorkCover Queensland to recognize that control measures may still be mandated for work conducted below three meters in housing construction and below two meters in all other construction work if a risk assessment deems such measures necessary.
Inspectors will take appropriate measures, as outlined in the table below, when there is an unmanaged risk to a worker, involving a potential fall from one level to another that could result in serious injury. For instance, workers engaged in construction work above three meters in housing construction or above two meters in other construction areas, who are exposed to fall risks, may face the issuance of an Improvement Notice or a Prohibition Notice.
| Height | Expected controls and inspector response |
|---|---|
For housing construction work where the risk of falling is less than 3 metres | An advice to use fall prevention if reasonably practicable, or other appropriate controls. Consideration will be given to issuing improvement or prohibition notices if risk is not adequately managed. |
For housing construction work where the risk of falling is at least 3 metres or more | Fall prevention is mandatory. If not used, an improvement notice or prohibition notice will be issued. |
Other construction where the risk of falling is less than 2 metres | An advice to use fall prevention if reasonably practicable, or other appropriate controls. Consideration will be given to issuing improvement or prohibition notices if risk is not adequately managed. |
Other construction where the risk of falling is at least 2 metres or more | Fall prevention is mandatory. If not used, an improvement notice or prohibition notice will be issued. |
Safe Work Method Statements
In the realm of construction work where the potential for a person falling exceeds two meters, such tasks are deemed high-risk construction work. As workers at WorkCover Queensland, it is imperative for the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) to create a safe work method statement (SWMS) as mandated by sections 291 and 299. This obligation encompasses all construction work, including housing construction activities.
If a PCBU determines that managing the risk of a fall of two meters or more necessitates the use of administrative controls (such as signs or training) and personal protective equipment, the SWMS must comprehensively detail each control measure considered in making this decision.
Housing Construction Work
For housing construction work involving a risk of falling three meters or more, or on a roof with a slope exceeding 26°, the PCBU must, before commencing work:
- Implement fall prevention controls (e.g., edge protection) to prevent any person from falling any distance, or employ fall arrest controls (e.g., catch platform) capable of arresting a person's fall and minimizing the risk of death or injury upon arrest.
- Adhere to specific requirements outlined in the WHS Regulation for these control measures (s.306E to s.306J).
- Note: Lower order administrative controls alone are not permitted for risks of falling three meters or more.
For housing construction work where the risk of falling is less than three meters, or on a roof with a slope less than 26°, the PCBU must, before initiating work:
- Identify hazards that may result in a fall or cause death or injury (e.g., a picket fence or stack of bricks).
- Assess the risk of death or injury associated with the identified hazards, considering the likelihood and severity.
- Utilize necessary control measures (e.g., catch platform, travel restraint system, no-go areas, safe work procedures, and training) to prevent or minimize the risk.
- Further guidance on managing fall risks on roofs in housing construction can be found here (PDF, 3.14 MB).
Other Construction Work
For other construction work with a risk of falling two meters or more, or on a roof with a slope exceeding 26°, the PCBU must, before commencing work:
- Implement fall prevention controls (e.g., edge protection or travel restraint system) or employ fall arrest controls (e.g., fall arrest harness or catch platform) to prevent a person from falling any distance.
- Adhere to specific requirements outlined in the WHS Regulation for these control measures (s.306E to s.306J).
- Note: For work carried out two meters and above, lower order administrative controls are not permitted on their own.
For other construction work where the risk of falling is less than two meters, or on a roof with a slope less than 26°, the PCBU must, before initiating work:
- Identify hazards that may result in a fall or cause death or injury (e.g., a picket fence or stack of bricks).
- Assess the risk of death or injury associated with the identified hazards, considering the likelihood and severity.
- Employ any control measures necessary to prevent or minimize the level of risk, which may include fall prevention, fall arrest, and/or administrative controls.