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Falls remain the leading cause of fatality and serious injury in construction. Your Working at Heights procedure must establish meticulous planning, certified equipment, competent personnel, and strict adherence to a proven hierarchy of controls. This Working at Heights standard outlines the critical controls your organisation must implement to comply with WHS legislation and protect workers from fall hazards.
Hierarchy of Controls (Apply in Order)
The hierarchy is mandatory; apply each level before moving to the next.
- Eliminate the hazard: Carry out work from ground level, prefabricate at ground level and lift into position, or use remote/automated methods.
- Fall prevention devices: Edge protection (guardrails, toe boards, infill), working platforms (scaffolds, EWPs), covers over penetrations, secure fencing.
- Work positioning systems: Travel restraint lanyards preventing access to unprotected edges, certified anchor points.
- Fall arrest systems (last resort only): Full-body harness with shock-absorbing lanyard, certified 15 kN anchor points per AS/NZS 1891.4, documented rescue plan within 20 minutes.
Critical Control Requirements
Edge Protection Specifications
- Top guardrail: 1m minimum height (900 mm for scaffold)
- Mid-rail: Maximum 450mm gap between horizontal members
- Toe board: 150mm minimum where materials/tools falling risk exists
- Infill: Brick guards, mesh, or panels where fall risk identified
Penetrations and Openings
- Cover immediately upon creation
- Secure, load-rated, labelled covers (“PENETRATION COVER – DO NOT REMOVE”)
- Removal requires formal permit system
Dropped Object Control
- Establish drop zones: 4 m radius minimum or 20% of working height (whichever greater)
- Install physical barriers and exclusion signage
- Tether tools and secure equipment
- Deploy spotters if neighbouring workspace falls within zone
EWP Operations
- Ground bearing capacity assessed; level surface <1:20 slope
- Operator holds High-Risk Work Licence (WP class); Verification of Competency (VOC) current within 2 years
- Daily pre-start inspection documented and completed
- Secondary anti-crush guarding fitted (boom/knuckle EWPs)
- Suspend operations if wind >40 km/h or during electrical storms
- Anchor points used when harness attached; lanyard secured to designated anchor only (never basket structure)
Personnel Competency
Workers Using Personal Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE)
- Working at Heights VOC or refresher within 2 years
- Training covers safe use, selection, care, inspection, maintenance, storage
- Must not work alone when using PFPE
Supervisors
- Safe Work at Heights Course completed
- Ensure daily pre-start inspections
- Ensure Working at Heights Permit in place where fall prevention devices absent
EWP Operators
- High-Risk Work Licence (WP class) current
- Verification of Competency within 2 years for specific machine
- Daily pre-start checks completed and documented
Planning and Rescue
Design Phase
- Identify all work-at-height activities and exposures
- Design in protections; maximise pre-assembly and ground-level construction
- Plan temporary works and access controls
- Design load-rated, removable penetration covers
Rescue Plan (Mandatory)
- Documented procedure to rescue suspended persons within 20 minutes
- Emergency equipment available and inspected
- Personnel trained and regularly rehearsed
- Plan kept accessible on site
Ladder Use Restrictions
Ladders are for accessing work platforms and scaffolds only;not for performing work. Platform ladders may be used to perform work where higher-order controls are impractical. All ladders must comply with AS/NZS 1892 (Portable Ladders).
Download Your Working at Heights Resources
Our WHS consulting services provide practical working at height template solutions aligned with WHS Regulations and industry standards. Maintain comprehensive working at height register documentation for all personnel, equipment, and activities.
Available working at height template resources:
- Working at Height Standard Risk Assessment
- Working at Height Register tracking system
- Edge protection design checklists
- EWP daily pre-start inspection forms
- Dropped object control procedure
- Rescue plan template
- Working at Heights Permit system
- Working at Height Procedure documentation
- Competency register and training tracker
About HSE Direct: We provide practical WHS consulting services and health and safety solutions for construction and industrial operations. Our working at height standard and working at height procedure templates support compliance across all jurisdictions. Visit www.hsedirect.com.au to download your working at height template resources and access professional WHS consulting services.
About the Author
Aiden Nawaz
WHS Consultant & Safety Auditor | HSE Direct
Aiden Nawaz holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Occupational Health & Safety, and is a certified ISO 45001 Lead Auditor. With hands-on experience across construction, mining, and renewable energy sectors in Australia, Aiden specialises in WHS management systems, compliance auditing, incident investigation, and contractor safety management.
Sydney, NSW | HSE Direct
Credentials & Affiliations:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Master of Occupational Health & Safety
ISO 45001 Lead Auditor
ICAM Lead Investigator
Member of Various Organisations
High-Risk Work | Construction & Mining Safety Specialist
This article is intended as general WHS guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For site-specific compliance support, contact HSE Direct.
Last reviewed: May 2026