{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location {{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change locationMember and guest login
Enter your email and password to access secured content, members only resources and discount prices.
Did you become a member online? If not, you will need to activate your account to login.
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
Forgotten password
Need some help?
If you are having problems logging in, please call HIA helpdesk on 1300 650 620 during business hours.
If the email address you have entered is registered, you will receive an email with further instructions.
Become part of the HIA community
Enables quick and easy registration for future events or learning and grants access to expert advice and valuable resources.
Create a guest account
Enter your details below and create a login
Working at heights in SA
High risk construction work includes construction work that involves a risk of a person falling more than three metres.
Where high-risk construction work will be required as part of building work, the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must, before the work commences, ensure that a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for the proposed work is prepared in consultation with the workers involved, and then made available for review as the work progresses.
The type of external and internal fall protection for construction work undertaken at any height should be based on a risk assessment.
For construction work that involves a risk of a person falling more than three metres, a SWMS is mandatory.
A SWMS must:
- identify the high risk construction work
- 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 that covers all relevant matters, including:
- circumstances on site that may affect the way in which the high risk construction work is carried out, and
- if the high risk construction work is carried out in connection with a construction project—the WHS management plan that has been prepared for the workplace; 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 construction work must put in place arrangements for ensuring that the work is carried out in accordance with the applicable SWMS.
If the work isn’t proceeding 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 construction work must be reviewed as site conditions or hazards vary – and then be re-lodged with the principal contractor (as required) prior to commencement of that work. The principal contractor should monitor the SWMS and inform the PCBU of any discrepancies or unsafe work practices.
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. Work should be carried out on the ground or other solid construction where it is reasonably practicable.
If it is not reasonably practicable to work on the ground or solid construction, 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.
The WHS Regulation 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.
In developing safe systems of work for high risk construction work, 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 a person would generally be regarded as a competent person and therefore able to work at heights.
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
Where the pitch of the roof is greater than the critical angle additional measures such as work positioning systems, roof ladders or a scaffold platform should be considered to prevent both sliding and falling.
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!
Was this page helpful?
Managing your safety topics
Can’t find what you need, check out other resources that might be closer to the mark.