Falls from a height can cause serious injuries and deaths at work. In Queensland, a business must manage the risk of any fall from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury (section 78 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld)). This guide explains what the law says about working at heights and gives eight practical steps you can take to prevent falls.
Falls can be caused by slippery surfaces, loose clothing or equipment, poor lighting, changes in elevation, and many other factors. They can happen in construction and industrial settings, and also in office buildings, warehouses and homes.
Common injuries from falls
- Concussion
- Broken bones
- Sprains and strains
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
Although death is a less likely result of a fall in the workplace, it does happen, and falls from a height can be fatal.
What Queensland law says about working at heights
There is no single “working at heights law” in Queensland. The rules sit in the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 (Qld) (the WHS Regulation), which Queensland numbers as sections, and they apply on top of the general duties in the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld).
Falls at any workplace: sections 78 to 80
- Section 78, manage the risk. A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must manage the risk of a fall from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury. That covers elevated workplaces, openings, edges and surfaces a person could fall through. So far as is reasonably practicable, work with a fall risk must be done on the ground or on a “solid construction” (a surface that can support the load, with barriers around the perimeter and openings, and a safe way on and off), and workers must have safe access to and exit from the area.
- Section 79, if the risk cannot be eliminated. The PCBU must provide and maintain a safe system of work. That means a fall prevention device (such as a secure fence, edge protection, a working platform or a cover) if reasonably practicable. If not, a work positioning system. If neither is reasonably practicable, a fall arrest system, so far as is reasonably practicable.
- Section 80, emergency and rescue. If a fall arrest system is used, the PCBU must establish emergency procedures, including rescue procedures, make sure they are tested so they work, and train the workers who use the system or may help with a rescue.
The order matters: a harness is the last of the three options, not the first. Our guide to the hierarchy of controls explains the thinking behind it.
Falls in construction work: sections 306B to 306N
Chapter 6 of the WHS Regulation adds detailed rules for construction work. Sections 306C and 306D do not apply to a fall from a ladder, a platform supported by trestle ladders, scaffolding that the person is erecting or dismantling, or the area near a ladder used to get on or off it. In summary:
- Smaller fall risks (section 306C). Where a person could fall less than 3 m in housing construction work, or less than 2 m in other construction work, or the work is on a roof with a slope not over 26 degrees, the PCBU must, before the work starts, identify each hazard that may result in a fall or cause injury if someone fell, assess the risk, and make sure the control measures needed are used.
- Bigger fall risks (section 306D). Where a person could fall at least 3 m in housing construction work, at least 2 m in other construction work, or the work is on a roof with a slope over 26 degrees, the PCBU must use control measures to prevent a person falling any distance, such as edge protection, a fall protection cover or a travel restraint system. If prevention is not practicable, the PCBU must use measures that arrest the fall and reduce the risk of injury, such as a fall arresting platform, a fall arrest harness system or an industrial safety net.
- The equipment itself (sections 306E to 306J). Edge protection, fall protection covers, travel restraint systems, fall arresting platforms, fall arrest harness systems and safety nets each have their own requirements. For example, a fall arrest harness system’s anchorage points must be designed by an engineer or inspected and approved by a competent person, a competent person must inspect the system’s components (other than the anchorage points) at least once every 6 months and give a written record. A system that has arrested a fall must not be used again until its manufacturer or a competent person has inspected it and decided it is fit for safe use, and a fall arrest harness system must not be used by someone who is alone (section 306I).
- Ladders (sections 306K to 306N). A ladder (other than a trestle ladder) used for construction work must have a load rating of at least 120 kg and be made for industrial use. A single or extension ladder must be set at between 70 and 80 degrees and, if used for access, extend at least 1 m above the surface (section 306M). Platforms supported by trestle ladders have their own rules (section 306N). Our ladder safety guide covers the practical side.
High risk construction work and the SWMS: sections 291 and 299
Construction work that involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 m is “high risk construction work” (section 291(a) of the WHS Regulation). Before that work starts, the PCBU must make sure a safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared, or has already been prepared by someone else (section 299). The SWMS must identify the high risk work, state the hazards and risks, describe the control measures, and describe how they will be implemented, monitored and reviewed.
There is a specific rule for falls. If a SWMS for a fall risk of more than 2 m relies only on administrative controls or personal protective equipment, it must describe all the control measures that were considered, including by addressing section 79(3) (section 299(4)). The work must then be carried out in accordance with the SWMS, and stopped if it is not (section 300).
A SWMS is required for high risk construction work, not for every job at height, and the 2 m figure is a trigger for construction work, not a general limit on when fall controls apply. Sections 78 to 80 apply to any fall that could cause injury. Read our guide to high risk construction work in Queensland for the full list of triggers, or see what a SWMS is.
The approved code of practice
The Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2021 is an approved code of practice in Queensland. A code is not law in itself, but a PCBU must comply with an approved code or manage the risk in a way that gives an equivalent or higher standard of health and safety, and a court can have regard to an approved code as evidence of what is known about a hazard and how to control it, and can rely on it in deciding what is reasonably practicable (sections 26A, 274 and 275 of the WHS Act).
Preventing falls: 8 practical steps
1. Identify the hazards in your workplace
Take a look around and identify any areas where a fall could occur. Be sure to also check for potential hazards when working at heights or near edges, openings and fragile surfaces. Report the information to a supervisor so all co-workers will be aware of it.
2. Eliminate the hazards that you have identified
If possible, remove the hazard completely, for example by doing the work on the ground or on a solid construction. If that is not possible, take steps to reduce the risk of falling, such as installing guardrails (edge protection), covers over openings or safety nets.
3. Use the proper safety equipment
Choose a fall prevention device first, then a work positioning system, then a fall arrest system, as section 79 sets out. If a harness is the right control, wear it and tie off to a secure, approved anchor point, and make sure rescue arrangements are in place before anyone goes up. For work near an edge, use edge protection or properly erected scaffolding.
4. Maintain good housekeeping practices
Keep your work area clean and free of clutter. Be sure to sweep up any loose debris that could cause you to trip and fall.
5. Wear the proper clothing and footwear
Avoid loose clothing or jewellery that could get caught on something and cause you to fall. Wear shoes with good traction to help prevent slips and falls.
6. Be aware of your surroundings
Pay attention to what you are doing and where you are walking. Watch for potential hazards such as wet floors, loose carpet, or objects in your path.
7. Know your limitations
If you feel unwell, tired or dizzy, do not do tasks where a fall is a possible hazard. It is also important to stay hydrated and eat regular meals to maintain your energy level. Do not attempt to do something that you are not physically able to do. If you are unsure of how to do something, ask for help from a supervisor or co-worker.
8. Never work alone
If possible, always have someone else with you when working in potentially dangerous areas, so there is someone to raise the alarm and help if you should fall. For construction work, a fall arrest harness system must not be used by a person who is alone (section 306I of the WHS Regulation).
What to do in the event of a fall in the workplace
- Call for help
- Stay calm
- Try to stop the fall if possible
- Protect your head and neck
- Wait for help to arrive before moving. Moving could make any injuries worse.
- Seek medical attention
- Report the incident
If a worker is suspended in a harness, the rescue procedure your business set up under section 80 should start straight away. A fall that causes a serious injury, or a near miss that is a dangerous incident, may be a notifiable incident that must be reported to the regulator (sections 35 to 38 of the WHS Act). See our guide to notifiable incidents in Queensland.
Templates to help with working at heights
If your business works at heights, a documented plan makes the rules above easier to follow. Our Working at Heights SWMS and Work at Heights Policy and Procedure Template are Word documents you can edit for your own work. There is also a free SWMS template for Queensland, and the full range is in our working at heights templates.
Falls can cause serious harm, but they are also preventable. By following these eight steps you can protect yourself and the people you work with.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check the current law or talk to Workplace Health and Safety Queensland for your situation.
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Templates for this job
Ready-to-edit Word and Excel templates for Queensland workplaces.
