Workers injured from two separate incidents involving falling from scaffold

Possible control measures to prevent similar incidents

Safety issues both general and specific to the incidents are included here.

In managing the risk of falls, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 requires specific control measures to be implemented, where it is reasonably practicable to do so. For example:

• generally, part 4.4 – Falls of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 provides detailed information relating to the management of the risk of a fall from one level to another.
• if it is construction work, then chapter 6 of the WHS Regulation applies.
• if the work meets the definition for high-risk construction work (i.e. construction work over 2m high), then a safe work method statement must be prepared as per the WHS Regulation. Further regulations would also then apply (e.g. part 6.3 Division 4 Sub-division 2 ‘Falls’ which provides prescriptive control measures).

The Managing the risk of falls at workplaces Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 3.9 MB) provides practical guidelines to meet requirements.

The specific requirements for scaffold and scaffolding work are located in part 5.1, Division 7, Subdivision 3 – Additional control measures for particular plant and Part 6.3, Division 4, Subdivision 4 – Scaffolding of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011.

Consideration should be given to implementing a control to close gaps where work activities are being undertaken above or alongside them. Gaps should be eliminated over common access and egress points. There can sometimes be uncertainty between construction site duty holders about who is responsible for managing the risks posed by scaffold gaps. Initially, the scaffolder is responsible for ensuring the scaffold is compliant during its construction, and before handover and use by other workers.

A scaffold being used to access a floor or roof should always be tied back to the building to prevent the scaffold moving away from the floor or roof as a worker steps off it. This includes mobile scaffolds.

The person who commissioned the scaffold has a duty to ensure the scaffolding work does not adversely impact on the health and safety of other workers on the site during this time. In addition, the scaffold should be monitored and maintained for the duration of its use to account for factors such as unauthorised alteration, overloading, and adverse environmental conditions. The Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 includes requirements regarding mandatory inspection intervals for particular scaffolds.

All PCBUs must ensure the safety of their workers and others when using the scaffold.

Develop a safe system of work for managing the risk of falls associated with scaffolding. This could include, but is not limited to:

• if high risk construction work is to be carried out, the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 requires that a safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared before the proposed work starts. All duty holders involved in high-risk construction work must make sure the work is carried out in accordance with the SWMS.
• ensuring the scaffolding is erected in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and scaffold design drawing.
• providing safe means of access and egress from scaffolding and ensuring workers are trained in how to safely access the scaffold.
• the person responsible for the erection or alteration of the scaffold should provide the PCBU or principal contractor with a handover certificate and keep it on site until the scaffold has been dismantled.
• having a scaffolding plan for scaffolding four metres and above that is readily available for inspection.
• developing procedures for the inspection and maintenance of scaffolds and scaffolding components to ensure they remain in a safe condition. The required frequency of inspections may vary depending on weather and site conditions, the type and size of the scaffold and the risks associated with scaffold collapse.
• consider the sequence that will be followed when dismantling scaffolding to ensure that no fall hazards are created.
• ensuring dismantled scaffolding components are not stored in the vicinity of exposed edges.
• implementing good housekeeping practices by ensuring items are cleaned up and kept away from edges and stairways.
• conducting an inspection of the work area prior to commencing a task to ensure that it is safe.
• if materials have been stored in close proximity to an exposed edge, ensure suitable fall prevention control measures are implemented prior to attempting to move the materials. These fall prevention controls should be applied in accordance with the hierarchy of fall prevention presented in section 79 of the WHS Regulation.

Depending on the task, any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable personal protective equipment. For example, hard hats, gloves, protective footwear, eye protection and high-visibility clothing.

High-risk work licence

Scaffolding work is defined as high-risk work and requires users to be appropriately licensed. Scaffolding work is divided into three levels (basic, intermediate and advanced) recognising the different levels of risk and the different techniques required for certain types of scaffolding.

Section 81 and schedule 3 of the WHS regulation has information about obtaining a high risk work licence for scaffolding work.

If performing scaffolding work where a person or thing may fall more than four metres from the scaffold, a scaffolder must hold a basic, intermediate or advanced high risk work licence Only a person who holds a qualification set out in Schedule 4 of the WHS Regulation may apply for a high-risk work licence.

Dismantling scaffolding

A PCBU must not dismantle or allow another person to dismantle scaffolding if there is a risk a person could fall three metres, for housing construction, or two metres for all other types of construction unless:

• a control measure prevents a person from falling
• a fall arrest harness system is used, or
• the PCBU otherwise complies with s306Q(3)(b).

Note 1: s306Q(3)(b) describes a specific process for scaffolding erection that minimises the risk of a fall.

Note 2: A PCBU must still manage the risk of a fall at any height under part 4.4 Falls.

The control measures you put in place should be reviewed regularly to make sure they work as planned.