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General Working at Heights Risk Assessment

General Working at Heights Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

General Working at Heights Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with General Working at Heights through a structured, management-level WHS Risk Management framework that focuses on governance, planning, systems and resourcing rather than task-by-task procedures. This Risk Assessment supports compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act and Regulations while helping to demonstrate Due Diligence and reduce operational liability exposure for your business.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • WHS Governance, Policies and Legal Compliance: Assessment of organisational policies, responsibilities and consultation arrangements to ensure work at heights is managed in line with statutory obligations and internal WHS frameworks.
  • Strategic Work at Heights Planning & Job Categorisation: Management of how height-related tasks are identified, categorised and approved, including risk-based planning for routine, non-routine and high-risk work.
  • Design, Engineering & Structural Integrity: Evaluation of building design, anchorage points, platforms and supporting structures to ensure engineered controls for work at height are fit for purpose and certified.
  • Height Access Equipment Selection & Procurement: Controls for selecting, procuring and configuring ladders, scaffolds, EWP/MEWPs, fall arrest and restraint systems in accordance with manufacturer requirements and relevant standards.
  • Inspection, Maintenance & Recertification of Systems: Management of periodic inspection, tagging, testing, recertification and recordkeeping for height access equipment and fall protection infrastructure.
  • Competency, Licensing & Training: Assessment of competency frameworks, licensing requirements, refresher training, verification of competency and supervision for personnel undertaking work at heights.
  • Permits, Authorisation & Change Management: Protocols for work at height permits, pre-start reviews, change control, isolation requirements and escalation when conditions or scope vary.
  • Environmental & Wind-Related Risks: Management of wind, weather, lighting and other environmental conditions that impact stability, visibility and the safe use of elevated work platforms and access systems.
  • Safe Access, Egress & Movement at Height: Assessment of walkways, edge protection, guardrails, ladder systems and traffic management to ensure safe movement and controlled access to height work zones.
  • Housekeeping, Trip Management & Work Area Organisation: Controls for leads, tools, materials and debris to minimise slips, trips and clutter that can contribute to falls from height.
  • Psychological Health, Fatigue & Fear of Heights: Consideration of worker wellbeing, fitness for work, exposure to heights, fatigue management and support strategies for those affected by acrophobia or anxiety.
  • Dropped Objects & Overhead Work Interface: Management of tool tethering, exclusion zones, barricading and communication to protect workers and the public from falling objects and overhead activities.
  • Emergency Response, Rescue & Incident Management: Planning for rescue from height, suspension intolerance management, first aid, communication systems and post-incident review processes.
  • Contractor, Supplier & Visitor Management: Controls for prequalification, induction, supervision and coordination of contractors, suppliers and visitors involved in or affected by work at heights.
  • Monitoring, Review & Continuous Improvement: Systems for auditing, inspections, performance monitoring, consultation and corrective actions to continually improve work at heights risk controls.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, General Managers, Safety Managers and Project Leaders responsible for planning, approving and overseeing General Working at Heights across their operations.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. WHS Governance, Policies and Legal Compliance for Work at Heights
  • • Absence of a formal Work at Heights policy aligned with WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulations
  • • Unclear roles, responsibilities and accountability for managing work at heights risks (officers, PCBUs, supervisors, workers)
  • • Failure to apply the hierarchy of control for work at height (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE)
  • • Inadequate consultation with workers and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) on height-related risks
  • • Lack of documented procedures for unavoidable work at heights, including work over two metres and high-risk construction work
  • • Inconsistent application of Australian Standards and Codes of Practice for fall prevention and height access equipment
  • • Failure to consider psychological risks such as fear of heights, anxiety and stress associated with working at height
  • • Poor integration of work at heights controls into broader corporate WHS management system
2. Strategic Work at Heights Planning and Job Categorisation
  • • Failure to systematically identify tasks that involve work at heights, elevated platforms or overhead structures
  • • Inadequate differentiation between low-risk and high-risk height activities (e.g. >2 m, near edges, fragile surfaces, overhead works)
  • • Lack of formal process for approving unavoidable work at heights when elimination is not reasonably practicable
  • • Poor integration of wind-related and weather factors into task planning and authorisation
  • • Insufficient planning for works requiring access to high-risk locations, such as narrow ledges or confined elevated structures
  • • Inconsistent assessment of risks associated with working at elevated heights above sensitive areas (e.g. public access, traffic routes, plant and equipment below)
  • • Omission of work on fall-prone and fragile surfaces from routine planning processes
  • • Ad hoc scheduling of overhead works leading to uncontrolled interaction with other site activities
3. Design, Engineering and Structural Integrity of Work at Height Locations
  • • Work undertaken on structures not designed for load bearing (fragile roofs, corroded platforms, brittle skylights)
  • • Inadequate engineering design of walkways, platforms and narrow ledges leading to instability or collapse
  • • Absence of permanent fall prevention systems (guardrails, parapets, anchor points) incorporated at design stage
  • • Failure to verify structural integrity of high structures before inspection, maintenance or installation at height
  • • Insufficient design consideration for safe access/egress routes to high-risk locations
  • • Poor design of overhead structures, increasing risk of collapse or dropped objects
  • • Inadequate edge delineation and barrier systems on fall-prone areas
  • • Lack of engineering assessment when modifying existing elevated structures or installing overhead-structures
4. Height Access Equipment Selection, Procurement and Configuration
  • • Selection of inappropriate access equipment (ladders, scaffolds, EWPs) for the task and environment
  • • Procurement of non-compliant or uncertified fall prevention and access equipment
  • • Lack of standardisation in equipment across sites leading to inconsistent controls and training gaps
  • • Use of access equipment not rated for the load or configuration required (tools, materials, multiple personnel)
  • • Inadequate controls for wind-related risks when using EWPs, cranes and temporary platforms
  • • Poor configuration of temporary work platforms in areas with narrow ledges, uneven surfaces or overhead obstructions
  • • Insufficient consideration for safe access/egress from EWPs or temporary platforms at height
  • • Inadequate systems for securing equipment above ground level to prevent dropped objects
5. Inspection, Maintenance and Recertification of Height Access Systems
  • • Inadequate inspection regime for ladders, scaffolds, EWPs, anchor points and fall arrest systems
  • • Failure to detect deterioration in high structures, platforms and overhead installations
  • • Lack of documented inspection criteria, checklists and acceptance standards for work at heights equipment
  • • Missed recertification dates for permanent anchors, static lines and engineered systems
  • • Unreported defects due to informal or inconsistent pre-use checks by workers
  • • Use of damaged or contaminated equipment (e.g. harnesses, lanyards, connectors) due to poor storage and maintenance practices
  • • Inaccurate asset registers and tagging systems for height access equipment
  • • Unmanaged corrosion, UV damage or mechanical wear on equipment used outdoors or in harsh environments
6. Competency, Licensing and Training for Work at Heights
  • • Workers performing working at heights tasks without formal competency or verification of skills
  • • Supervisors lacking capability to assess and manage system-level risks associated with work at heights
  • • Insufficient training on managing balance on narrow surfaces and ledges
  • • Inadequate instruction on recognising and responding to wind-related risks and unsafe conditions at height
  • • Lack of refresher training leading to skill fade in inspection of high structures and fall prevention systems
  • • No structured process to assess psychological readiness and fear of heights in workers assigned to elevated tasks
  • • Inconsistent induction for contractors engaged in overhead work and maintenance at heights
  • • Poor understanding of emergency procedures and rescue techniques related to falls from height
7. Work at Heights Permit, Authorisation and Change Management
  • • Work at heights undertaken without formal authorisation or permit process
  • • Permits not adequately considering environmental factors such as high winds, rain and poor visibility
  • • Permit system failing to capture non-routine tasks, short-duration jobs and minor maintenance at heights
  • • Inadequate consideration of concurrent activities beneath or adjacent to overhead works
  • • Failure to reassess risks when scope, method or conditions change during elevated work
  • • Poor record keeping of permit approvals, conditions and closures
  • • Supervisors approving permits without adequate competency or information
  • • Lack of integration between height permits and other control systems (e.g. isolation, confined space, crane permits)
8. Environmental and Wind-Related Risk Management at Height
  • • Work at heights continuing during high winds beyond equipment or structural limits
  • • Gusty or changing wind conditions affecting balance on narrow ledges and elevated surfaces
  • • Wind loading on temporary structures, overhead installations and materials, increasing collapse risk
  • • Wind causing movement of suspended or unsecured loads during overhead works
  • • Insufficient monitoring of localised wind conditions at height compared with ground-level forecasts
  • • Poor policy on when to cease or postpone work during storms, heavy rain or lightning
  • • Inadequate consideration of wind chill and thermal comfort affecting concentration and fatigue at height
  • • Lack of systems to secure loose materials, debris and tools in windy conditions
9. Safe Access, Egress and Movement at Height
  • • Inadequately planned access and egress routes to elevated work areas
  • • Obstructed or poorly maintained walkways and access points increasing trip and fall risk
  • • Insufficient consideration of balance and posture when moving along narrow ledges and walkways
  • • Use of informal access methods (e.g. climbing on plant, pallets, or non-rated surfaces)
  • • Inconsistent application of three points of contact principles when climbing to or from elevated areas
  • • Poor demarcation of safe paths of travel on roofs, platforms and fall-prone areas
  • • Inadequate lighting on access routes and work areas at height
  • • Emergency egress routes from elevated locations not clearly identified or planned
10. Housekeeping, Trip Management and Work Area Organisation at Height
  • • Accumulation of tools, offcuts and materials on elevated platforms creating trip and slip hazards
  • • Improper routing of leads, hoses and cords across walkways at height
  • • Inadequate management of waste and debris on scaffolds, platforms and narrow ledges
  • • Poor organisation of work zones increasing the likelihood of overreaching or loss of balance
  • • Materials stored near edges of platforms or on fragile surfaces increasing risk of falls or structural overload
  • • Ad hoc changes to equipment layout without review of impact on safe movement
  • • Lack of systems for managing housekeeping during multi-contractor operations at height
  • • Infrequent inspections of housekeeping conditions in hard-to-access elevated areas
11. Psychological Health, Fatigue and Fear of Heights Management
  • • Workers experiencing unmanaged fear of heights leading to panic, poor decision-making or refusal of controls
  • • Fatigue contributing to impaired balance, coordination and situational awareness at height
  • • Stress and anxiety from working at elevated heights or over open edges affecting concentration
  • • Supervisors assigning height work without understanding individual limitations or history
  • • Reluctance of workers to report discomfort or psychological issues related to working at heights
  • • Insufficient systems to rotate personnel away from high-exposure tasks to manage cumulative stress
  • • Lack of guidance on maximum exposure time for high-consequence height work
  • • Inadequate support mechanisms following height-related near misses or incidents
12. Dropped Objects, Overhead Work and Public/Worker Interface Management
  • • Unsecured tools, equipment or materials falling from elevated work areas onto people or plant below
  • • Inadequate exclusion zones under overhead works exposing workers or public to falling objects
  • • Overhead installations and maintenance carried out above active work areas without coordination
  • • Failure to secure overhead-structures during installation, leading to partial collapse or dropped components
  • • Insufficient control of small items (nuts, bolts, fittings) during installations at height or overhead
  • • No system for reviewing and approving overhead work in public or high-traffic internal areas
  • • Inadequate planning for overhead work performed above fragile or fall-prone surfaces
  • • Lack of secondary retention systems for critical overhead equipment and fixtures
13. Emergency Response, Rescue and Incident Management for Falls from Height
  • • Absence of site-specific rescue plans for workers suspended in fall arrest systems
  • • Over-reliance on external emergency services with delayed response times
  • • Insufficient rescue equipment available or accessible near elevated work locations
  • • Workers and supervisors unaware of protocols for managing suspension intolerance and injuries after a fall
  • • No drills or practical exercises to test rescue procedures from EWPs, scaffolds and high structures
  • • Emergency access routes to elevated locations obstructed or not clearly identified
  • • Inadequate communication systems to raise alarms from high-risk or remote elevated areas
  • • Inconsistent reporting and investigation of height-related near misses and minor incidents
14. Contractor, Supplier and Visitor Management for Work at Heights
  • • Contractors performing working at heights without adequate verification of their management systems and competencies
  • • Supplier-provided access equipment not meeting organisational standards or legislative requirements
  • • Visitors or non-operational staff entering areas below or near elevated works without awareness of risks
  • • Inconsistent application of site rules for work at heights across different contractor groups
  • • Lack of clarity in contractual documents regarding responsibilities for fall prevention and emergency response
  • • Insufficient monitoring and auditing of contractor work at heights practices
  • • Inadequate briefing for short-term or one-off contractors undertaking maintenance at heights
  • • Multiple contractors conducting overhead works simultaneously without central coordination
15. Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of Work at Heights Systems
  • • Failure to identify emerging risks from new equipment, processes or structures involving work at heights
  • • Inadequate monitoring of the effectiveness of existing fall prevention and height access controls
  • • Lack of trend analysis on height-related incidents, near misses and inspection findings
  • • Slow or ineffective implementation of corrective actions for systemic issues in work at heights management
  • • Limited worker feedback loops to identify practical issues with controls at elevated locations
  • • Outdated procedures not reflecting current legislation, Australian Standards or industry good practice
  • • No benchmarking of organisational performance against industry work at heights metrics
  • • Complacency due to low frequency of serious falls but ongoing presence of high potential exposures

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Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice: Guidance on controlling fall risks in the workplace.
  • How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice: Framework for identifying, assessing and controlling workplace risks.
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines.
  • AS/NZS 1891 (Series): Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices.
  • AS/NZS 1657: Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders — Design, construction and installation.
  • AS/NZS 1576 (Series): Scaffolding — Design, erection and use requirements.
  • AS 2550 (Relevant Parts): Cranes, hoists and winches — Safe use, including elevated work platforms where applicable.
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems — Requirements with guidance for use.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

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