Compliance code: Prevention of falls in general construction - Key changes

Key changes for 2019/20

The Minister for Workplace Safety, Jill Hennessy, approved minor amendments to 11 compliance codes (codes) made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act), which includes the Prevention of falls in general construction compliance code.

The minor amendments were made to:

• reflect amendments to section 35 and 36 of the OHS Act by the Treasury and Finance Legislation Amendment Act 2018
• improve style and branding consistency across the existing codes.

Change summary

Paragraph 26

Replace "OHS Act s36" with "OHS Act s35".

Appendix F, Roofwork checklist item 1

Amend paragraph reference from "140" to "159".

Front cover

Update front cover to 'Edition 2'.

Back cover

Update translation service contact details.

Key changes for 2018/19

The Prevention of falls in general construction compliance code, 2018 was published on 11 October 2018. It replaces the Prevention of falls in general construction compliance code, 2008. The new code is based on the old code and is designed to:

• be easy to read and use
• align with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations)
• reflect modern work practices and state of knowledge
• align with other updated compliance codes

New content

Some new content has been added, particularly in relation to:

• the risk management process

Reference and style changes

The new code includes some standard updates:

• New references to relevant legislation when legal duties apply.
• Additional cross-references to make related information easier to find in the code.
• Information about Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) duties as well as OHS Regulations duties.

How to use this guide

The differences between the old and new codes are outlined in the following sections.

The sections reflect the new layout for the codes. Under each section is a short summary of the key changes and under this summary is a table that lists the headings of the old and new code for ease of comparison.

Part 1 – Introduction

What has changed

The key changes include:

• Information about duty holders has been expanded in Part 1 of the new code to incorporate the former section 'What do the OHS Regulations require?' This section now sets out all duty holders' primary duties under the OHS Act and the OHS Regulations, with references to the specific legislation that applies.
• New information about the risk management process has been included in Part 1 of the new code.
• The consultation section has been broadened and moved to appear later in the Part, and incorporate information that previously appeared in Appendix B. This section now thoroughly sets out an employer's legal duties to conduct consultation with employees and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) on matters of health or safety.
• The section on information, instruction, training and supervision that previously appeared in Part 2 of the old code has been moved to the end of Part 1of the new code, including requirements for construction induction and site induction.

Part 2 – Overview of the risk management process

What has changed

The key changes include:

• a new breakout box has been included in Part 2 of the new code to remind employers of their duties to consult with employees and HSRs on health or safety matters
• new paragraphs have been included throughout the Part to set out the OHS Act duties that apply to manage the risk of falls from two metres or less
• examples of control measures under the hierarchy of control are set out in a new table, and the order of level 2 control examples has been revised so that guardrailing and safety mesh appears above elevating work platforms, mast climbing work platforms, work boxes and step platforms
• new information about an employer's duty to maintain risk controls and establish emergency procedures has been included.

Part 3 – Working at heights above two metres

What has changed

The key changes include:

• The information previously in Part 4 of the old code, about working at heights above two metres, now appears in Part 3 of the new code.
• A new breakout box has been included to remind employers of their duties to consult with employees and HSRs on health or safety matters.
• Information about safe work method statements has been expanded.
• New information about high risk work licences has been included.
• Throughout each level of the hierarchy of control, the relevant duties and definitions have been included, to ensure the legislative requirements that apply are clear.
• New sections within the hierarchy of control include 'Covers over trenches' (level 2 controls) and 'Industrial safety nets' (level 4 controls).
• The order of information about level 2 controls has been amended so that specific controls appear in order of the highest level of safety, within the context of considering what is reasonably practicable. For example, controls such as guardrailing and safety mesh now appear before elevating work platforms, mast climbing work platforms and work boxes.

Part 4 – Trenching and excavation work

What has changed

The key changes include:

• The information previously in Part 5 of the old code, about trenching and excavation work, now appears in Part 4 of the new code.
• A new breakout box has been included to remind employers of their duties to consult with employees and HSRs on health or safety matters.
• New information has been included about suitable risk control measures for shallow excavations, such as those with depths of two metres or less.

Part 5 – Working at heights not exceeding two metres

What has changed

The key changes include:

• The information previously in Part 3 of the old code, about working at heights not exceeding two metres, now appears in Part 5 of the new code.
• A new paragraph has been included about an employer's duties to consult with employees and HSRs on matters related to health or safety.
• Information about ladder-bracket scaffolds has been removed.

Appendices

What has changed

The key changes include:

• 'Appendix B – Consultation' from the old code has been incorporated into information in Part 1 of the new code. Appendix B in the new code lists Australian Standards that are relevant to information in the new code.
• information about common fall hazards has been moved from Appendix H from the old code to Appendix C in the new code.
• Appendix F from the old code, which covered information about guarding holes and openings, has been removed.