Guardrail and Edge Protection Installation Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers the installation of guardrail and edge protection, including planning, access, material handling, installation, inspection and emergency response. It supports planning by identifying edge, falling-object, lifting, plant, electrical and weather-related hazards.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Review the work scope, sequence, components and work area before starting
• Access the work area and approach edges safely
• Deliver, lift and position rails, posts, bases and panels
• Set exclusion zones to protect people below and nearby workers
• Install posts, rails and panels at edges
• Use plant, ladders or elevated work platforms where required
• Manage nearby electrical services and utilities
• Monitor weather, surface conditions, visibility and wind
• Inspect completed protection and manage handover and ongoing integrity
• Prepare for falls, collapse, medical events and dropped-object incidents

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses installing guardrail or edge protection.

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: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Construction work — 6.2 Workplace specific induction training; p. 41.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
• 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: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.

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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