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Reducing the risk of falls in the workplace

19 September 2022

health safety and wellbeing

A recent decision by the Melbourne County Court highlights the importance of employers managing fall-from-height risks within their workplace in line with Victorian laws.

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Businesses should be aware of their obligations around OHS Regulations 2017, Part 3.3, Prevention of Falls.

A company and its director were convicted and fined in the Melbourne Country Court in July 2022 after pleading guilty to failing to provide a safe workplace when a worker fell while decommissioning plant prior to the settlement of the sold property in April 2019.

The worker was in an unsecured steel cage elevated by a forklift about 4.5 metres off the ground it fell from the forklift to the concrete floor below. The worker suffered fatal head injuries.

The company and its director were fined $250,000 and $125,000 respectively after the tragic and avoidable fall.

The WorkSafe investigation found that the cage was not fit for purpose, and as such was unstable and unable to be properly secured to the forklift.

The investigation highlighted that there were several risk control measures that could have been taken, including using an elevated work platform such as a scissor lift, which was available at the workplace.

Falls from height remain a leading cause of death and serious injury in Victorian workplaces and WorkSafe can prosecute duty holders who fail to keep their workplaces safe.

Minimising risk

The Victorian Chamber’s five tips to minimise the risk of falls from height include:

  • Identify tasks an employee is required to undertake at a workplace that involves a fall hazard (a person’s involuntary fall of more than two metres) though consultation with employees and contractors.
  • Risk-assess identified workplace fall hazards though consultation with employees and contractors
  • Identify and implement appropriate risk controls for falls hazards
  • Maintain the fall risk controls throughout the work process
  • Ensure employees and contractors have been appropriately trained on fall hazards associated with their work, including the implementation of appropriate risk controls.

How we can help

If you need assistance managing the risk of falls in your business, please contact the Health Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) team at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce via our email hsw@victorianchamber.com.au and one of our experienced consultants will get in contact with you.

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