Falls From Ladders Result In Fatality And Serious Injuries

The South Australian Business Chamber Today — 10 February, 2022
In the space of six weeks, three workers have fallen on South Australian construction sites; two resulting in serious injuries and the third in a fatality. SafeWork SA has issued a safety alert and is carrying out investigations.

SafeWorkSA reported that the falls were less than two metres in all cases. Two of the cases involved portable ladders and the third a scaffold that the builder had not adequately installed.

For all work at heights, the WHS legislation requires business owners and managers to undertake a risk assessment and determine controls in consultation with the workers who will be carrying out the work, or their health and safety representative.

For work above three metres, WHS regulations require appropriate fall prevention devices, travel restraints, elevating work platforms and/​or other controls to be implemented. High risk work training must be completed, and an appropriate high risk work license must be held by all workers erecting and installing scaffolds and working at heights above three metres.

For work at heights below three metres, where a ladder is being considered, the risk assessment should:

• consider the nature of the work and environmental conditions.
• carefully inspect the ladder to ensure it is in good condition, complies with Australian Standards for industrial use, is stable and secure while in use.
• ensure at least three points of contact can be maintained while the worker is on the ladder.
• ensure all workers are properly trained to safely carry out their tasks using the ladder.
• ensure other people in the area will not be at risk.
• ensure adequate supervision is provided.

Once the risk assessment is complete, controls must be put in place to eliminate, or where that is not reasonably practicably, minimise risks. Penalties for failing to adequately control fall risks can have very serious consequences for workers and business operators.

For further information or assistance from our WHS experts, please contact our Business Advice Hotline on 8300 0000.