Product Overview

Summary: This Fall Prevention and Arrest System SOP sets out clear, practical steps for working safely at height, from initial planning through to rescue. It helps Australian businesses control fall-from-height risks, meet WHS obligations, and provide workers with a consistent, defensible method for using fall prevention and fall arrest systems.

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatality in Australian workplaces. This Fall Prevention and Arrest System Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step approach to planning, installing, inspecting and using fall prevention and fall arrest systems wherever there is a risk of a fall. It guides workers and supervisors through the full lifecycle of height work – from risk assessment and selection of appropriate controls, to equipment checks, safe use, supervision and incident response.

Developed for compliance with Australian WHS legislation and relevant standards, this SOP helps organisations move beyond ad‑hoc practices and inconsistent instructions. It clearly defines when to use edge protection, work-positioning, restraint systems or full fall arrest, and how to ensure anchor points, harnesses, lanyards, inertia reels and lifelines are correctly selected, fitted and maintained. By implementing this procedure, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce the likelihood of catastrophic incidents, and give workers confidence that there is a clear rescue plan if something goes wrong.

This SOP is particularly valuable for construction, maintenance, facilities management and service businesses whose workers routinely access roofs, elevated structures, platforms and plant. It turns complex regulatory requirements into practical, site-ready instructions that can be integrated into inductions, toolbox talks, SWMS and permit-to-work systems, ensuring fall protection is managed consistently across all jobs and locations.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of serious injury or fatality from falls by standardising how fall prevention and arrest systems are selected, installed and used.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation and height safety standards, supporting your duty of care and reducing regulatory exposure.
• Improve worker competence and confidence through clear instructions for harness fitting, equipment inspection, system connection and safe movement at height.
• Strengthen emergency preparedness with defined rescue procedures, communication protocols and post-incident actions for fall arrest events.
• Support consistent supervision and auditing of height work by outlining roles, responsibilities, documentation and inspection requirements.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Height Safety Supervisors
• Roof Plumbers
• Electricians and Communications Technicians
• Maintenance Technicians
• Facility and Asset Managers
• Scaffolding and Rigging Supervisors
• Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from height from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, EWPs and elevated structures
• Failure or misuse of fall arrest equipment such as harnesses, lanyards and inertia reels
• Incorrect selection or loading of anchor points and lifelines
• Swing-fall (pendulum) hazards when anchored at unsuitable locations
• Trip hazards from lifelines, lanyards and other fall protection equipment
• Suspension trauma following activation of a fall arrest system
• Dropped objects striking people below during height work
• Weather-related risks such as wind, rain and heat affecting stability and footing
• Inadequate rescue planning leading to delayed retrieval after a fall arrest event

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Terminology (Fall Prevention vs Fall Arrest, Anchor Types, Clearance, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, Officers, Supervisors, Workers, Contractors)
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Risk Assessment and Hierarchy of Control for Work at Height
• 6.0 Selection of Fall Prevention and Fall Arrest Systems
• 7.0 Pre-Use Inspections and Equipment Requirements
• 8.0 Installation and Verification of Anchor Points and Lifelines
• 9.0 Harness Fitting, Adjustment and Compatibility Checks
• 10.0 Safe Use Procedures for Fall Prevention Systems (Guardrails, Platforms, Restraint Systems)
• 11.0 Safe Use Procedures for Fall Arrest Systems (Lanyards, Inertia Reels, Rope Systems)
• 12.0 Managing Clearance, Swing-Fall and Edge Hazards
• 13.0 Communication, Supervision and Permit-to-Work Requirements
• 14.0 Rescue Planning and Emergency Response for Fall Arrest Incidents
• 15.0 Post-Fall Actions, Incident Reporting and Equipment Quarantine
• 16.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage of Fall Protection Equipment
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Refresher Requirements
• 18.0 Documentation, Records and Audit Checklist
• 19.0 Review, Consultation and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) – Part 4.4 Falls
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Safe Work Australia – Code of Practice: Construction Work
• AS/NZS 1891.1: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Harnesses and ancillary equipment
• AS/NZS 1891.2: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Horizontal lifeline and rail systems
• AS/NZS 1891.3: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Fall-arrest devices
• AS/NZS 1891.4: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – Selection, use and maintenance
• AS/NZS 4488: Industrial rope access systems (where rope access is used)
• AS/NZS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation