OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SAFETY AND WELFARE

PREVENTION OF FALLS FROM HEIGHT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 DEFINITIONS ...........................................................................................................2

2.0 PREVENTION OF FALLS FROM HEIGHT ..............................................................3

3.0 DUTIES OF MANAGERS .........................................................................................4

4.0 WORKING ON FRAGILE ROOFS............................................................................5

5.0 DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES........................................................................................6

6.0 RECORDS ................................................................................................................6

7.0 AUTHORISATION ....................................................................................................6

8.0 REFERENCES..........................................................................................................6

RISK ASSESSMENT EXAMPLE – PREVENTION OF FALLS: APPENDIX 1 ...................8

RISK ASSESSMENT PROFORMA – PREVENTION OF FALLS: APPENDIX 2................9

SAFE WORK PRACTICE FOR RETRIEVING BALLS FROM ROOFS APPENDIX 3 ......10

PURPOSE
To provide direction to managers and employees, for the management of working at
heights greater than 2 metres.

SCOPE
This procedure applies to all DECS employees, contractors/sub-contractors, visitors and
volunteers employed on departmental worksites including schools, pre-schools and
departmental offices.

Prevention of Falls From Heights Procedure

1.0 DEFINITIONS

ACTIVE FALL a system where an individual must take action to use

PROTECTION equipment either to prevent them entering a fall
hazard area or to arrest their fall.

ANCHORAGE the means for attaching a lanyard, lifeline or other

components to a secure point.

CONTRACTOR a contractor and/or sub contractor is a person not an

employee of DECS who has been engaged by
departmental personnel to carry out work on a
“contract for service or employment” basis. This
person may be self-employed or the employee of
another company contracted to carry out the service

FALL HAZARD the potential for a person to fall involuntarily with there
being adverse consequences in the event of a fall

INDIVIDUAL FALL systems to arrest an accidental fall which consist of

ARREST SYSTEMS some or all of the following: Anchorage, Lifeline, Fall
Arrester, Lanyard, Personal Energy Absorber,
Retractable Lifeline, Rope Grabs, Wire Grabs, Rail
System, Shock Absorbers - both personal and
Industrial Harness

LANYARD a line usually used as part of a lanyard assembly to

connect a fall arrest harness to an anchorage point or
static line in situations where there is risk of a free fall.

SAFE SYSTEMS OF the set of methods adopted for carrying out the
WORK operations required in a particular workplace. A safe
system of work covers all aspects of the employment
situation including the organization of work
processes, the methods of using machinery, plant
and equipment; the methods of hiring labour; job
training and instruction about hazards associated
with the job and their management.

WORK AT HEIGHT generally, working at a height of greater than two

metres above the ground or other surface which
would arrest the fall. This height may be reduced if
the arresting fall surface is particularly hazardous

SAFETY MESH safety mesh is a grid of welded wire mesh, intended

to prevent falls from heights It should comprise 2mm
(min) diameter wire of not less than 450MPa tensile
strength welded into a mesh. The longitudinal wire
spacing should not exceed 150mm and cross wire
spacing should not exceed 300mm.Safety mesh
should be installed by a competent person.

Prevention Of Falls From Height Procedure 2

2.0 PREVENTION OF FALLS FROM HEIGHT

If task is to be undertaken Provide the principal

by the site Facilities contractor with a copy of
Management contractor or the Fragile Roof Register
by a subcontractor and inform him/her of any
engaged by the FM known hazards associated
contractor: with the working at height
task(s).

If task is to be undertaken
by DECS staff, volunteers
or contractors engaged by
the site:

Monitor, record and review

IDENTIFY
All situations that require
Communicate and Consult

employees (including
contractors or volunteers)
to work at height must be
identified in consultation
with staff and their
representatives

ASSESS THE RISKS

Conduct a risk
assessment for all
activities that require
working at height

CONTROL THE RISKS

Use the hierarchy of
controls. Develop Safe
Work Practices. Provide
instruction, training &
supervision

Prevention Of Falls From Height Procedure 3

3.0 DUTIES OF MANAGERS
3.1 Site managers, (by utilizing the services of the site Facilities Management contractor
when necessary), must ensure:
3.1.1 that skylights, translucent and/or fragile roofs are protected by appropriate mesh
and are correctly signed (see 4.0 - Working on Fragile Roofs)
3.1.2 safe access to elevated workplaces.

3.2 Where any work at height is being undertaken by a contractor or subcontractor of the site
Facilities Management contractor, site managers must ensure that the contractor or
subcontractor is provided with the Fragile Roof Register and informed of any hazards
which are known to site personnel, and which are associated with the proposed work.

3.3 When any work at height is to be undertaken by employees or other personnel engaged
by the site, the site manager must in consultation with relevant personnel and the site
H&S Representative, identify, assess and control the risks for those tasks.

3.3.1 IDENTIFICATION

Consider any task which could result in a fall of 2 or more metres as working at height.
Examples of working at height include:
• accessing mezzanine level storage areas that do not have edge protection
• changing lights or checking/installing equipment at ceiling level in some
classrooms, gymnasiums or halls*
• changing outdoor display signs where the person is more than 2 metres off
the ground
• cleaning gutters
• retrieving balls from roofs
• servicing air conditioning units on roofs*
• undertaking building or demolition works*
• using an elevated work platform*
• working on a roof or near a plastic dome skylight or any skylight or
translucent material; e.g. plumbing/electrical work, installing or accessing
antennae or satellite dishes, data cabling*
• working within 2 metres of an embankment/retaining wall or hole (of sufficient
dimensions to allow a person to fall in) that has no edge protection*
• performance of acrobatics or other sporting, athletic or playground activities
which result in participants being at heights from which a fall could cause
serious injury. eg rock climbing, abseiling
• accessing lighting and other equipment for stage performances.

*These tasks are likely to be done by contractors

3.3.2 ASSESSMENT

Complete and document risk assessments for tasks where there could be a fall of more
than 2 metres. Consider:
• frequency of access and associated hazards, (e.g. ground/roof conditions
pitch of roof, slipperiness of surface)
• lack of fall arrest system
• wiring and electrical hazards
Prevention Of Falls From Height Procedure 4
 • isolation
• fragile roofing.
Also consider the likelihood of an accident occurring and the consequences of any
accident. Repeat the risk assessment when there is a change of personnel or
conditions. (See Appendix 1 Risk Assessment Proforma)

3.3.3 CONTROL

Control options should follow the hierarchy of controls:

Elimination – wherever possible seek options other than working at height

Substitution – use a work platform in place of a stepladder

Engineering - guard railing, reduce shelf heights, mesh fragile roofs and skylights;
where access to elevated workplaces is regular, (e.g. air conditioner
maintenance), establish safe access for undertaking such
maintenance (eg establish fixed ladders and safety harnesses, and/or
anchor points for securing ladders) - work such as this would usually
be organised by the site Facilities Manager

Administration - ensure that staff do not authorise students or unqualified personnel to

access roof areas; install appropriate signage; establish no ball zones;
use ladders which are appropriate for the task and conform to
Australian Standards; maintain ladders; identify a staff member to
liaise with contractors and volunteers who may be required to work at
height; nominate staff and volunteers who are authorised to undertake
work at height, (ensure these personnel receive appropriate
instruction), inform staff of this procedure

PPE safety harnesses

Usually a combination of these control options will maximize safety outcomes.

4.0 WORKING ON FRAGILE ROOFS

4.1 Fragile roofs should be identified as described in HA 5 Fragile Roofs
(www.decs.sa.gov.au/ohsw> hazard alerts)
4.2 Signs indicating fragile roofs must be fixed to the walls of buildings where access to the
roof(s) exists. These signs must be made of sheet metal or other suitable material and
coloured as shown. Standard size signs available commercially are 300 x 225, 450 x 300
and 600 x 450mm.

Prevention Of Falls From Height Procedure 5

4.3 Any person required to be on a fragile roof must use the crawl boards and walkways
provided.

5.0 DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES

5.1 Comply with all reasonable instructions in relation to this procedure.

5.2 Only undertake work at height with proper authorisation from the site manager (this
authorisation may be general, but must not include students).
5.3 Do not undertake work of a hazardous nature at height e.g. using a chainsaw,
welding.
5.4 Adhere to the safe systems of work identified through the conduct of a risk
assessment done prior to undertaking any activity at height.

6.0 RECORDS
6.1 The State Records Act (1997) requires records for the following actions to be kept
for periods as shown:

The hiring and use of consultants, contractors and suppliers for minor TEMPORARY
and routine OH&S tasks. (Destroy 7 years after action
completed.)
The promotion of safe practices to staff and volunteers. Includes master TEMPORARY
copies of procedure manuals, notices and instructions. (Destroy 45 years after
revoked or superseded.)
Treatment received by individual staff or volunteer members in agency TEMPORARY
first aid or medical centres. (Place on personal history file
or destroy 7 years after last
action.)
Inspections and investigations into major workplace health and safety PERMANENT
hazards.
Hazard identification and risk assessment of foreseeable hazards in TEMPORARY
agency workplaces. Includes measures taken to eliminate or control (Retain until 2040, retention
risks. subject to a review at that
date.)

7.0 AUTHORISATION
Procedure Prevention of Falls From Height Compliance Mandatory
Procedure
Version Version 5 Status Approved by State OHS&W
Consultative Committee
Issued April 2007 Review date June 2010
Author Health and Safety Services Location R/OHS/Policy/Procedures
Authority Chief Executive File details 474 / 2005
Revision Executive Director, Human Office Human Resources and
Authority Resources and Workforce Workforce Development
Development

8.0 REFERENCES

OHS&W Act 1986

OHS&W Regulations 1995
¾ Part 2, Division 2.3.3 Fragile roofing materials
¾ Part 5, Division 5.2.3 Working on fragile roofing
¾ Part 2, Division 2.13 Prevention of falls
Safeguard GS 37 working on fragile roofing
Compliance Guidelines for Schools – OH&S Prevention of Falls Regulations 2003 ©
Department of Education and Training, Victoria, 2003

Prevention Of Falls From Height Procedure 6

Code of Practice, Prevention of Falls at Workplaces, September 1997
Code of Practice, Working on Roofs 1990
AS1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders
AS1892.5 – Portable Ladders – Selection, safe use and care
AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall arrest systems and devices
AS/NZS 1562.3:2006 Design and installation of sheet roof and wall cladding, Part 3:
Plastic.
AS 4626 Industrial fall arrest devices - Selection, use and maintenance

Prevention Of Falls From Height Procedure 7

RISK ASSESSMENT EXAMPLE – PREVENTION OF FALLS FROM HEIGHT: Appendix 1
See the department’s Risk Management Framework for assistance with the completion of this task if required.

LOCATION Corny-Bay Primary School - Building 1

TASK DESCRIPTION Retrieving balls from roofs

RISK FALLING FROM HEIGHT

RISK FRAMEWORK Likelihood Consequence Risk
RISK LEVEL Unlikely Major High

POTENTIAL HAZARD DESCRIPTION/COMMENT CONTROL REVIEW

Unsuitable weather – wet, hot, hail, Slippery when wet Do not access roof when wet – footwear must have good traction
lightning
Distance of fall 3.2 metres Eliminate fall – use other devices – do not get on the roof if you don’t have to –
retrieve with appropriate ladder if ball is in the gutter – follow SWP
Ground/surface conditions Cement, cracked in places – nearby Safe work Practice – eliminate fall
fence
Manual handling No significant risk Avoid overreaching and frequent bending at the waist
Hazardous substances N/a
Electrical No obvious hazards N/a
Condition and angle of roof Roof in good condition – iron, low angle Choose good weather and conditions –wear suitable gloves, hat and sun glasses –
(roof may be hot)
Fragile roofing materials One skylight in the middle of the roof Exercise due care
protected with safety mesh
Other work N/a N/a
ladders No anchor points or fixed ladders Ensure ladder is stable install anchor points
Inappropriate or poorly maintained Ladder is on maintenance register Use only ladders that meet Australian Standards, are appropriate for the task and
Equipment regularly maintained
Isolation System requires supervision Do not undertake this task without supervision
Fall surface e.g. impale, cut Galvanised fence could severely cut Eliminate fall – Eliminate hazardous surface and or install guard rail
Pits/holes/wells N/a N/a
Experience Both nominated employees have been Only allow experienced staff to access the roof or ensure a sufficient level of training
on the roof a number of times and supervision for less experienced staff
Lack of training / competency Staff chosen on the basis of fitness and Train individuals in the use of PPE, safe work practice and securing ladders
experience
Nature of task Non –hazardous of itself Exercise due care
Fall arrest system No system in place - Do not stand less than 2 metres from the edge of the roof
First aid and emergency procedures Trained first –aid officers on site Ensure an appropriate level of supervision and that first aid is available
Other Safety of other persons Ensure that other persons remain clear of the possible fall zone
Signature Of Contractor or Other Person Undertaking Work: David Forexample Date: 29 / 07/ 08

Robin Couldbe Date: 29/ 07/ 08

Signature of Manager or Principal Contractor:

Prevention of Falls From Heights Procedure

RISK ASSESSMENT PROFORMA – PREVENTION OF FALLS FROM HEIGHT: Appendix 2
See the department’s Risk Management Framework for assistance with the completion of this task if required.

LOCATION
TASK DESCRIPTION

RISK FALLING FROM HEIGHT

RISK FRAMEWORK Likelihood Consequence Risk
RISK LEVEL

POTENTIAL HAZARD DESCRIPTION/COMMENT CONTROL REVIEW

Signature Of Contractor or Other Person Undertaking Work: Date:

Signature of Manager or Principal Contractor: Date:

Consider physical, environmental and personal factors: e.g. the weather conditions, pitch and surface of the roof and ground,
the availability of first aid and support, and the ability and experience of the person accessing the roof.

Prevention Of Falls From Height Procedure 9

 Appendix 3

EXAMPLE ONLY
SAFE WORK PRACTICE FOR RETRIEVING BALLS FROM
ROOFS
1.0 PRELIMINARY NOTES

1.1 Eliminate the need to get on the roof

• Develop ball exclusion zones
• Consider installing gutter guards to allow balls to come down without
being trapped
• Consider devices that allow retrieval without having to get on the roof
1.2 Roofs must be kept clear of trip hazards
1.3 No student is to access a roof
1.4 DECS employees must not access roofs which are two or more stories
1.5 DECS Employees must not access fragile roofs

2.0 SAFE WORK PRACTICE

2.1 Exercise due care
2.2 Ensure an appropriate level of supervision and that first aid is available
2.3 Choose good weather and conditions. Do not access the roof when wet
2.4 Ensure that footwear has good traction
2.5 Ensure that you have been authorised for this task by the principal
2.6 Check for wires or other electrical hazards before undertaking this task
2.7 Check for Fragile roofing materials and ensure that it is protected with
safety mesh
2.8 Do not retrieve balls when this could be adversely affected by other work
2.9 Obtain suitable access equipment (i.e. ladder of correct length for height
of roof) or used fixed access if it is available
• Obtain assistance to support the ladder for securing to anchor points or if
short duration of access is required
• Ensure ladder is stable and anchored to the building if used for roof
access. Use only ladders that meet Australian Standards, are appropriate
for the task and regularly maintained
• Position the ladder, so that the top of the ladder extends at least one metre
above the level of the roof, and the ladder is at an angle of 75 degrees
2.10 Do not stand on the roof less than 2 metres from the edge
2.11 At the end of the job, return the ladder to secure storage.

Prevention of Falls From Heights Procedure