Preventing falls in construction
Falls from heights are a major cause of death and serious injury in Australian workplaces and are a high risk on most construction sites. When we think of working at heights, the picture that springs to mind is working on the top of a multi-storey building. While this is correct, most serious and fatal falls are from a height of less than 4 metres – so about the height of a single storey. This could be as simple as overbalancing and falling from a ladder, an incomplete scaffold or formwork, or off a balcony or building edge. Falls can also occur at ground level into holes, for example, trenches or service pits.
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Explain who is at risk of falls and who is responsible for safety when working at heights.
- Access, interpret and apply legal, technical and safety information for preventing falls when working at heights.
- Identify onsite hazards, assess falling from height risks and select appropriate control measures.
- Select, inspect, and use suitable fall prevention systems, tools and equipment.
- Communicate issues related to fall risks to the appropriate person on site.
This course is aimed at everyone who works on a construction site.
Duration: 2 hours
Delivery: Online – 6 months access
Proudly developed by SafeWork NSW in collaboration with the Office of the Building Commissioner.