Product Overview

Summary: This Fall Protection and Working at Heights Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, practical steps for planning, supervising and carrying out any work at height safely. It helps Australian businesses control the significant risks of falls, ensure WHS compliance, and protect workers, contractors and visitors on sites where elevation is involved.

Working at heights remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatalities on Australian worksites. This Fall Protection and Working at Heights Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, step-by-step framework for planning, authorising and carrying out elevated work using ladders, scaffolds, EWP/MEWPs, roof access systems and fall arrest or restraint equipment. It translates legislative requirements and best-practice guidance into clear, practical instructions that frontline workers and supervisors can follow in real-world conditions.

By implementing this SOP, your business can demonstrate a systematic approach to managing the risk of falls from one level to another, from initial risk assessment through to rescue planning and post-task review. It supports compliance with WHS legislation across Australian jurisdictions, clarifies responsibilities between PCBUs, supervisors and workers, and standardises how fall protection equipment is selected, inspected, used and maintained. This document is especially valuable for organisations with multiple sites or mixed workforces, providing a consistent, defensible procedure that reduces ambiguity, prevents shortcuts and helps ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the likelihood of falls from height by embedding a consistent, risk-based approach to planning and carrying out elevated work.
• Ensure compliance with Australian WHS legislation, Codes of Practice and relevant AS/NZS standards relating to fall prevention and fall arrest systems.
• Standardise how ladders, scaffolds, EWPs and fall protection systems are inspected, used and maintained across all sites and teams.
• Improve supervisor oversight and permit-to-work controls for high-risk work at height, including contractor activities.
• Strengthen emergency preparedness with clear instructions for rescue planning, incident response and post-incident review.

Who is this for?

• Site Supervisors
• Construction Project Managers
• WHS Managers
• Safety Advisors
• Operations Managers
• Maintenance Supervisors
• Roofing Contractors
• Scaffolding Supervisors
• Electrical Lineworkers
• Facilities and Asset Managers
• Civil and Structural Engineers
• Warehouse and Logistics Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Falls from roofs, edges, openings and fragile surfaces
• Falls from ladders, mobile platforms and scaffolds
• Falls from elevated work platforms (EWPs/MEWPs)
• Objects falling from height and striking persons below
• Incorrect use or failure of fall arrest and restraint systems
• Unprotected roof penetrations, skylights and voids
• Working near unguarded edges, shafts or leading edges
• Environmental hazards at height such as wind, rain and poor visibility
• Trip hazards and poor housekeeping on elevated work areas
• Suspension trauma following fall arrest activation

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Key Terms (Falls, Fall Prevention, Fall Arrest, Fragile Surfaces, etc.)
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Consultation Requirements
• 4.0 Applicable Legislation, Standards and Codes of Practice
• 5.0 Pre-Work Planning and Risk Assessment for Working at Heights
• 6.0 Hierarchy of Control for Fall Prevention
• 7.0 Selection and Use of Fall Protection Systems (Prevention, Restraint and Arrest)
• 8.0 Ladders: Selection, Inspection, Set-up and Safe Use
• 9.0 Scaffolding and Temporary Edge Protection Requirements
• 10.0 Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs/MEWPs): Operation and Safe Work Practices
• 11.0 Roof Access, Fragile Roofs and Work Near Roof Penetrations
• 12.0 Tools, Equipment and Materials Management at Height (Preventing Falling Objects)
• 13.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements for Working at Heights
• 14.0 Inspection, Maintenance and Storage of Fall Protection Equipment
• 15.0 Permit to Work and Authorisation for High-Risk Work at Heights
• 16.0 Emergency Response and Rescue Planning for Falls from Height
• 17.0 Training, Competency and Verification of Skills
• 18.0 Monitoring, Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement
• 19.0 Records, Documentation and Reporting Requirements

Legislation & References

• Safe Work Australia – Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth and state/territory equivalents)
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth and state/territory equivalents), including provisions for falls
• 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 1576: Scaffolding (series)
• AS/NZS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders – Design, construction and installation
• AS 2550.10: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use – Mobile elevating work platforms