General Working at Heights Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers general work at height, including access, edges, platforms, ladders, fall equipment, falling objects and changing site conditions. It supports planning work methods and identifying controls for fall, dropped-object, plant-interaction and emergency-response risks.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan the work area, access methods and ground or floor conditions
• Coordinate height work with nearby workers and activities below
• Access and leave elevated work areas safely
• Manage edges, openings, skylights and fragile surfaces
• Use temporary platforms and scaffolds
• Use ladders and step platforms for height access
• Select and use fall restraint and fall-arrest equipment
• Control falling tools, materials and drop zones
• Manage weather, surface conditions and housekeeping at height
• Work around mobile plant, EWPs and nearby services
• Communicate controls and prepare for falls or medical events

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out general work at height.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination — 3. What is effective consultation?; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant used to lift or suspend persons or things; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 4. Step 3 — How to control risks; p. 20.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use