Falls from heights costing lives – and millions
In the first half of this year, 174 Workcover claims have been lodged from the construction industry from falls alone. A further 34 businesses have been charged and another 28 duty holders faced legal action, accumulating more than 2.54 million in fines, undertakings and costs. That already tops the entire 2024 figure of $1.65 million from 33 charged or prosecuted entities.
Tragically, three prosecutions in the first six months of this year for the industry followed fatal falls. Another 13 resulted from instances where WorkSafe inspectors had caught duty holders in the act on routine inspections, including three repeat offenders.
To prevent falls from heights, employers should implement the highest possible measures from the five levels in the hierarchy of controls and often need to use a combination.
Those levels are:
Level 2: Use a passive fall prevention device such as scaffolds, perimeter screens, guardrails, safety mesh or
elevated work platforms
Level 3: Use a positioning system, such as a harness, catch platform or safety nets to limit the risk of injuries
in the event of a fall
Level 4: Use a fall arrest system, such as a harness, catch platform or safety nets, to limit the risk of injuries
in the event of a fall
Level 5: use a fixed or portable ladder or implement administrative controls.