Falls

Construction’s number 1 cause of fatalities. You need high standards when working at heights.

Falls from heights prevention - Hierarchy of control

You can’t undo a fall, but you can prevent one. If you’re a builder, subcontractor, site supervisor or employer, it’s your job to keep people safe. WorkSafe expects the highest level of fall prevention to be in place.

Level Control Example

1

Eliminate the risk.

Work on the ground.

2

Passive fall prevention devices.

Guardrails, scaffolds, EWP, safety mesh.

3

Work positioning systems.

Rope access, travel restraints.

4

Fall-arrest systems.

Harnesses, catch platforms.

5

Ladders/Admin controls.

For short, low risk tasks only.

A mixture of controls is usually required - not just one.

This video will help you chose the right level of fall prevention for your work.

Falls prevention checklist

A simple, practical tool to help you put the hierarchy of controls into action on site. It walks you through the key steps to identify hazards, check controls are in place, and make sure your workers are protected at every level.

  • Spot gaps in your current fall prevention measures.
  • Confirm you’re meeting your legal duties and industry standards.
  • Start conversations with your team about ways to work at height.

Download the checklist

Safety alerts

Guides and codes

Safe work method statements (SWMS)

Learn about how and when to prepare and use a safe work method statement (SWMS) for high-risk construction work (HRCW).

More about SWMS

A housing construction site showing 3 houses in various stages of construction.

The pocket guide for construction safety

A pocket guide to help control risks on small construction sites. The guide is for employers with fewer than 20 employees and self-employed people. The guide may also benefit subcontractors and others.

Download guide

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The high cost of workplace falls - Pat and John's story

Building supervisor John's life changed forever in 2006 when he fell through the floor on the second storey of a building, rupturing his lower spine and fracturing his neck. John's wife Pat knows that he is lucky to be able to walk, but the trauma and resulting mental injury have meant he can no longer work.

Falls from height statistics

500  

Serious injuries relating to falls in 2024.

20-35  

Males in this age group most affected for injuries from falls.

Fall hazards  

The most common are unprotected edges, unsafe or incomplete scaffolds, mobile stairways or mobile platforms.