Fall FactsFalls from height - No1 Killer in the Australian/New Zealand Construction Industries - WorkCover NSW - 20 January, 2005 The key findings of a 2 year fall's survey by 134 WorkCover Inspectors on 1,347 sites identified: Approximately 55% of sites had fall related non compliances; Most sites do not have a Fall Prevention Risk Assessment; Housing & small commercial sector is the worst; 78% of PINS were issued on non-housing construction; There is a need to increase the capability for small contractors; There is a need to increase awareness across the industry; There is a need for the promotion of "Best Practice" for fall safety. To assist when working at heights: Heights ChecklistWork at heights risk auditHave you done a work at height risk audit of your site or business? What is your risk exposure now? If you haven't done a work at heights risk audit, how do you know you have done everything to ensure no person can fall 2 metres? Do you have an effective work at height policy, management plan and controls on your sites? Have your employees and subcontractors been properly trained in working at heights? How can you be sure people on site will use a safety harness correctly all the time, every time? If you answered no to any of these, you need to run through the WorkCover NSW checklist and bring your job up to standards, to maximise safety and minimise your risk of penalties. About the attached checklist WorkCover's Industry Reference Group have developed the attached checklist. While it specifies that it is for "Utilities" we believe it is a useful resource for application across the whole of the construction industry. Click on the image below to view the checklist. What are your responsibilities to prevent falls from heights? Main legislative requirements Responsibilities for fall prevention are mainly detailed in: Meeting legislative requirements - three levels of controls OHS Regulation 2001 Clause 56 (1) - Prevention of falls from heights requires you to meet three levels of controls to comply: ? Level 1 controls - Scaffold, screens and fencing ? Level 2 controls - Other forms of Physical Barriers ? Level 3 controls - Physical restraints & fall arrests plus the provision of PPE equipment. 1st level of control ? "Elevated Work Platform" This includes scaffolding, screens & fencing 2nd level Control ? "Other forms of physical barriers that are capable of preventing the fall of a person." Safety nets are another form of physical barrier that are capable of preventing a person falling 2 metres. And they are available for use in Australia. Safety Nets Australia value adding - meeting your Level 2 controls Apart from providing you with the best fall arrest system available, Safety Nets Australia will: ? Provide a working at heights management plan; ? Supply an emergency rescue plan in the event someone falls into the net; ? Give site safety toolbox posters to workers who are required to work over the nets.  |
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