A competent person, in consultation, should identify all reasonably foreseeable hazards ‘whenever there is a risk of a fall
from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury to the person or any other person’.
Then for each hazard, work out the probability of it occurring and the consequence of it occurring; That is the risk level of each fall hazard.
When assessing the risks arising from each fall hazard, the following should be considered:
- the design and layout of elevated work areas, including the distance of a potential fall
- the number and movement of all people at the workplace
- the proximity of workers to unsafe areas where loads are placed on elevated working areas (for example, loading docks) and where work is to be carried out above people and there is a risk of falling objects
- the adequacy of inspection and maintenance of plant and equipment (for example, scaffolding)
- the adequacy of lighting for clear vision
- weather conditions—the presence of rain, wind, extreme heat or cold can cause slippery or unstable conditions
- the suitability of footwear and clothing for the conditions
- the suitability and condition of ladders, including where and how they are being used
- the adequacy of current knowledge and training to perform the task safely (for example, young, new or inexperienced workers may be unfamiliar with a task)
- the adequacy of procedures for all potential emergency situations.
Your fall hazards will then come to be high, medium or low.
You then eliminate or control the fall risks to a low level, starting with the highest first