A worker has fallen approximately 8m into a lift shaft while working on the refurbishment of a building in Sydney. The worker was removing timber rafters from a roof frame when he fell and sustained serious injuries.
This is the twelfth incident information release SafeWork NSW has published this year relating to falls from heights in the construction industry. Falls from heights are the biggest killer on NSW construction sites.
Construction site where the incident occurred showing the roof trusses and the void below.
Safety information
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working at heights.
Consultation and coordination between a principal contractor and sub contractors on site is essential to ensure any task being undertaken is done so in a safe manner and does not impact others around you. Businesses cannot delegate their work health and safety duties to someone else.
Make sure:
- workers always use a suitable work platform for the task, such as scaffolds, elevated work platform, boom or scissor lift
- workers are trained how to use the suitable work platform or scaffold
- workers are provided with a safe way to access and exit the work area
- you prepare a safe work method statement for all high-risk construction work
- you have a plan in place in case of an emergency
SafeWork NSW inspectors regularly blitz construction sites to check compliance and talk with businesses and workers about how to work safely at heights. Use this checklist to find out if your construction site is working at heights safely.
More information
- Working at heights guidance material
- Managing the risk of falls at workplaces – Code of practice (PDF 4.1MB)
- Falls from heights poster (PDF 1.8MB)
- Pocket guide to construction safety (PDF 1MB)
- Construction Site Supervisors: Take 5 podcast
View the latest incident information releases at safework.nsw.gov.au
View the latest safety information in the FIA Knowledge Channel.
FIA Knowledge Channel
FIA Working Safely At Heights Info
