Falls from heights are a major cause of fatalities and serious injuries. What are the rules for working in scissor lifts? Should employers provide fall restraints for workers?
WHS legislation requires that the risk of falls is identified, eliminated, or minimised.
Tasks using equipment such as elevated work platforms require extra attention.
The task needs to be assessed by determining:
- the likelihood of a fall and risk of harm to personnel
- the extent of harm and injury that a person could incur in the event of a fall.
If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate, then risks must be reduced to the lowest level possible by adopting the hierarchy of risk control.
RESOURCES
Safe Work Australia has guidelines on working at heights. It also has a National Code of Practice for the Prevention of Falls in General Construction.
Although these publications are specific to the construction industry, other industries can reference this material. State and territory WHS authorities also have information on fall prevention.