Working at Heights

Working at Heights Permit to Work is required for any work involving a fall risk of 2 metres or more where:

• the edge cannot be controlled by a physical barrier, or
• a safety harness is the primary control.

Working at heights must only be undertaken by trained and competent personnel.

• Safe access and egress must be provided to all working areas.
• Platform ladders must only be used for low-risk, short-duration tasks and not as a work platform where higher-order controls are practicable. All other ladders must only be used for access and egress.
• Scaffolds must be inspected and tagged by authorised person(s) before use and following any change in conditions or configuration.
• Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs) must only be operated by authorised personnel, on ground that is stable and suitable for the equipment.

• Edge protection controls (e.g. guardrails, mid-rails and toe boards) must be in place where workers are within 2 metres of a live edge.
• Where edge protection is not reasonably practicable, a fall prevention system must be implemented.
• Harnesses must be visually inspected before each use and meet external inspection and testing requirements.
• Fall arrest systems (e.g. harnesses) must be correctly anchored, with anchor points rated, installed and inspected in accordance with manufacturer and engineering requirements.

• Exclusion and Restricted Zones must be established below and around work at heights using barricades and signage to prevent unauthorised access, in accordance with the Mobile Plant & Equipment Minimum Standards.
• Spotters must be used where there is a risk of crush, collision or loss of separation when using EWPs.
• Physical controls must be in place to prevent tools and materials falling from height.