Addressing WH&SQ concerns – Part 2

WH&S Update 14/11

WH&SQ – Issue Two – Working at heights

Managing the risk of working at heights is critical as it can minimise the risk of a fall.

Risk of a fall as defined by the Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2011 means a circumstance that exposes a worker while at work, or other person while at or in the vicinity of a workplace, to a risk of a fall that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the worker or other person.

This includes circumstances in which the worker or other person is:

a) in or on an elevated level
b) in or on equipment being used to gain access to an elevated level
c) in the vicinity of an opening through which a person could fall
d) in the vicinity of an edge over which a person could fall
e) on or in the vicinity of a surface through which a person could fall
f) on or near the vicinity of a slippery, sloping or unstable surface.

Source: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 2011

How to protect workers?

It is recommended that businesses put in place controls that prevent the likelihood and reduce the risk of anyone falling. When assessing the situation at your workplace the following controls should be considered:

• is the correct equipment being used e.g. work platform, stairway or ladder
• is there a secondary device e.g physical restraint?

In the Brisbane Markets, it is often necessary to access products in the high racking or on shelving. Standing on the forklift tynes, pallets or other unsuitable equipment are common causes of falls from heights.

Serious accidents such as falls from heights or being trapped by moving parts of the forklift elevating system will often occur when people fail to use a correctly designed work platforms.

Work platforms

Work platforms are used to safely elevate personnel using the lifting ability of a forklift or similar industrial truck and are made in accordance with Australian Standard 2359.1-1995 ‘Powered Industrial Trucks’.

When using a work platform:

• it must be secured to the forklift
• the driver of the forklift must remain seated at the controls of the forklift at all times while a person is elevated in the work platform
• no more than two people should be lifted on a work platform at one time.