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(c) Scaffolding or work area platforms — are these crowded or cluttered; are they erected and
dismantled properly and safely?
(d) Hand grips — do workers working at heights have hand grips?
(e) Unsafe areas — are there openings, holes, or unguarded excavation sites; are there power lines
close to the work area?
(f)
Access and egress — are there any obstructions or safety hazards in the entrance or exit
routes for the work site?
(g) Lighting — depending on weather, and location, is there sufficient light for workers to work
safely (this is especially relevant when working in roof cavities)?
(h) Inexperienced employees — are there inexperienced staff or installers on site, who may be
unfamiliar with a task and who present a risk or hazard that needs special attention and risk
control measures?
(i)
The interior of the roof — is a confined space licence required? Is the enclosed working area
safe and have all hazards been identified?
IMPORTANT NOTE: This list is not exclusive. The total list of risk factors to be assessed will differ
for every installation, and will depend on the site, the residence, the type of system being installed,
and the installer’s methods.
8.5 Risk of falls
The first priority when working at heights is always to prevent falls. Safe working procedures and
suitable barriers will help prevent falls.
Commonwealth, state and territory OH&S regulations in Australian do not specify a particular height
at which it becomes necessary to introduce safe procedures for ‘working at heights’. But in New South
Wales the Safe Work on Roofs publications specify that if a physical restraint or harness is used, it
needs to be able to stop a fall from 2m or more.
8.6 Three types of control measure/
safe operating procedures
Three types of control measures and safe operating procedures can be used to minimise the
risk of falls.
1.
The provision and maintenance of a stable and securely fenced work platform
(including scaffolding or any other form of portable work platform)
2.
The provision and maintenance of secure perimeter screens, fencing, handrails or
other physical barriers to prevent falls
3.
Personal protective equipment to arrest the fall of a person.
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According to national and state and territory regulations and guidelines, fall arrest equipment is a type
of personal protective equipment and should not be chosen unless other systems — which provide a
higher level of fall protection — such as scaffolding or elevating work platforms, are impracticable.
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Chapter 8: Occupational Health & Safety