{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Economic research & forecasting Economics Housing outlook Economic reports & data Tailored market research Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance Construction legal expenses insurance Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services How can safety solutions help you? Independent site inspections Solutions for your business Contracts Online HIA Tradepass HIA SafeScan Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Professional services Industrial relations Member savings Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Falls from heights Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects COVID-19 Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2023 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA products
HIA products $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Shop @ HIA Digital Australian Standards Contracts Online Shipping & delivery Purchasing T&Cs See all Products Purchase NCC 2022 Building codes & standards Economic reports Hard copy contracts Guides & manuals
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Working at heights in South Australia

The information below provides details on the requirements relating to working at heights in South Australia under the Work Health & Safety Act 2012.
Publication
What is high-risk construction activity?
{{ propApi.expandedIcon }} {{ propApi.collapsedIcon }}

The definition of high-risk construction activities (Regulation 291) lists a number of activities including:

‘construction work that involves a risk of a person falling more than three metres’. 

Where high-risk construction activities will be required as part of building work, the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must in accordance with Regulation 299, before the activities commence, ensure that a risk assessment is carried out and that a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for the proposed activity is prepared in consultation with the workers involved, and then made available for review as the work progresses. 

 
Publication
Risk assessment and Safe Work Method Statements
{{ propApi.expandedIcon }} {{ propApi.collapsedIcon }}

The need for external and internal fall protection for construction activities undertaken less than three metres above the ground (e.g. single storey construction) must be based on a risk assessment.

For construction activities undertaken three metres or more above the ground, fall protection is mandatory. 

Based on the risk assessment, a SWMS must then be prepared for each activity that has been identified as a risk. A SWMS must

  • identify the high-risk activity 
  • specify the hazards and risks to health and safety associated with those hazards 
  • describe the measures to be implemented to control the risk 
  • describe how the control measures are to be implemented, monitored and reviewed. 

A SWMS must also be prepared taking into account all relevant matters including: 

  • circumstances on site that may affect the way in which the high-risk activity is carried out, and 
  • be set out and expressed in a way that is readily accessible and understandable to the persons required to work in accordance with the SWMS. 

A PCBU (including a sub-contractor) who is carrying out high-risk activities must put in place arrangements for ensuring that the activity is carried out in accordance with the applicable SWMS. 

If the work is proceedings not as set out in the SWMS, they must cease the activity as soon as possible to review the procedures. 

A SWMS for any high-risk activity must be reviewed as site conditions or hazards vary – and then be re-lodged with the Principal Builder (as required) prior to commencement of that activity. The Principal Builder needs to monitor the SWMS and inform the PCBU of any discrepancies or unsafe work practices. 

 
Publication
Who has a duty to manage risk of falls at heights?
{{ propApi.expandedIcon }} {{ propApi.collapsedIcon }}

Regulation 78 requires that a PCBU must manage risk to health and safety associated with a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the person or any other person. HIA encourages members to complete a risk assessment to identify the risk of falls with any building work. 

The PCBU must always provide safe means of access and egress to and from the workplace, which is particularly relevant to falls from heights, and where it is reasonably practicable work should be carried out on the ground or other solid workplace. 

If it is not practicable to work on the ground or solid workplace, which would eliminate the risk of a fall, then the PCBU must minimise the risk of a fall by providing adequate protection against the risk. 

What options can be used where a risk exists? 

Regulation 79 states that: 

Adequate protection includes maintaining safe systems of work including: 

  • providing fall prevention devices if it is reasonably practicable, or 
  • if it is not reasonably practicable by providing a work positioning system, or 
  • if not reasonably practicable to do the above, provide a fall arrest system. 

A safe system of work may include: 

  • providing temporary work platforms 
  • providing training in relation to the risks involved in work at the workplace 
  • providing safe work procedures, safe sequencing of work, safe use of ladders and appropriate signs. 

A fall prevention device may include: 

  • a secure fence 
  • edge protection 
  • working platforms 
  • covers. 

A work positioning system may include:

  • any plant or structure, other than a temporary work platform, that enables a person to be positioned and safely supported at a location for the duration of the relevant work. 

A temporary work platform may include: 

  • a fixed, mobile or suspended scaffold, or 
  • an elevated work platform, or 
  • a portable or mobile prefabricated platform, or 
  • any other temporary platform that provides a working area and is designed to prevent falls.
Publication
Determining who is competent to work at heights
{{ propApi.expandedIcon }} {{ propApi.collapsedIcon }}

In developing safe systems of work for high-risk construction activities, PCBUs should consider only the use of competent people when working at heights that may cause injury. 

A competent person is defined as ‘a person who has acquired through training, qualifications or experience the knowledge and skills to carry out the task’. For instance, a carpenter or apprentice carpenter who has completed a recognised training course in roof framing generally receives training on the safe use of tools and equipment, working at heights and sequencing of the erection of roof trusses as part of that training. 

Subject to an appropriate amount of onsite experience, such as person would generally be regarded as a competent person and therefore able to work at heights. 

 
Publication
Assessing the risk when working on roofs
{{ propApi.expandedIcon }} {{ propApi.collapsedIcon }}

One of the key factors to be considered when determining the types of risk control measures for work on roofs is the pitch of the roof. The critical angle is defined as the roof pitch below which it is considered that roof workers may reasonably be able to work and walk across the roof. 

PCBUs should determine the critical angle as part of their risk assessment. In no case should the critical angle be taken as greater than 26 degrees or 10 degrees where the presence or likelihood of surface moisture, oil or other conditions makes the roof slippery. 

Where workers are exposed to the risk of an external fall, consideration should also be given to the establishment of cleared exclusion zones around the perimeter of the building. 

Where cleared exclusion zones are relied on as part of the injury reduction measures, they should: 

  • extend two metres out from the edge of the gutter line 
  • be barricaded where there is a risk of other people entering the cleared exclusion zone 
  • be kept clear of all hard surfaces, impalement hazards including fences, vertical service pipes, starter bars, stumps, building materials such as brick pallets, timber, etc. 

Where the risk of a fall or the likely injury consequences from a fall are increased, then additional control measures should be implemented. 

A system of fall protection should be provided under any of the following circumstances:

  • where a worker is exposed to a fall
  • where a cleared exclusion zone cannot be established
  • where the cleared exclusion zones are no longer being maintained
  • the pitch of the roof is greater than the critical angle. 

To help keep your worksite safe, contact HIA's Safety solutions team.

Enquire now

Share with your network:
More articles on:
{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!

Managing your safety topics


 

Can’t find what you need, check out other resources that might be closer to the mark.

HIA SafeScan enquiry 


 

Find out more about using HIA SafeScan on your worksite for fast and efficient compliance.

Tell me more

SA Alterations & Additions Contract (Pack of 2)

This contract (pack of two) is suitable for residential building work relating to an alteration, addition, renovation or where the work is not to completion stage. The contract allows for project details to be formalised and also ...

SA Preliminary Agreement (Pad of 25)

This Agreement (pad of 50) is used to cover the cost of the preliminary work before and in preparation of signing the contract. This type of work may include preparation of plans, engineering details and obtaining appropriate appr...

SA Building Specification

The Building Specification document is used with the building schedule to comply with building specifications. This is a hard copy version of the document and will be mailed to you once it's purchased online. You can download a co...

SA Building Schedule

The SA Building Schedule is used as an addendum to a building contract and details the extent and nature of materials and items included under the contracting arrangement. This is a hard copy version of the schedule and will be ma...

SA Cost Plus Contract (Pack of 2)

This contract is used for residential constructions works on a cost plus basis, not a lump sum ‘fixed price’. Costs are totalled and a percentage or fixed sum added for administration, supervision and profit. It allows for project...

SA Certificate of Practical Completion (Pad of 25)

This Certificate (pad of 25) enables builders to list work that may be required following a joint pre-handover inspection by the owner and builder. This is a hard copy version of the document and will be mailed to you once it's pu...

SA Job Quotation Form (Pad of 25)

The Quotation Form (pad of 25) is suitable for sub-contractors to list their conditions. It's carbonised and individually numbered and dated.

SA Minor Works Contract (Pad of 25)

SA Minor Works Agreement (Pad of 25)