Working at Heights: Safety, Risks, and the Latest Data

Working at Heights: Safety, Risks, and the Latest Data

Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of death and serious injury on Australian worksites. Despite decades of awareness, enforcement, and training, the risks are still present in construction, maintenance, and infrastructure industries. This article examines recent incidents, current safety data, and the importance of training and compliance when working at heights.

Why Working at Heights Matters

Working at heights covers any situation where a person could fall from one level to another — roofs, scaffolds, ladders, cherry pickers, platforms, and even fragile skylights. In NSW, falls from height are still the most common cause of traumatic fatalities on construction sites. Nationally, Safe Work Australia confirms that falls from height accounted for 15% of all worker fatalities in 2023 (Safe Work Australia).

Recent News and Incidents

The last three years have seen several high-profile cases:

• SafeWork NSW crackdown (2024): Inspectors visited more than 1,200 worksites and issued over 1,400 Improvement Notices, 727 Prohibition Notices, and $972,000 in fines for unsafe practices (SafeWork NSW).
• Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym fatality (2025): A 28-year-old fell 12 metres due to a faulty auto-belay system. The case underscored the consequences of failing to inspect and maintain equipment (Daily Telegraph -subscribers only).
• Skylight fall (2025): A worker fell through a fragile skylight in NSW, suffering serious injuries (SafeWork NSW Incident Release).
• South Australian case (2022): A worker fractured his spine after falling 4.6 metres through a skylight. Two companies were prosecuted for failing to control the risk (Adelaide Now -subscribers only).

The Data: National and NSW Insights

According to Safe Work Australia’s Key WHS Statistics 2024:

• Falls from height caused 17 worker deaths in 2022 and 15% of fatalities in 2023.
• Construction is the industry most affected, but falls also occur in agriculture, warehousing, and maintenance.
• Older workers are over-represented in fall fatalities. Older very experienced workers (45+) make up about 40% of all workers but they account for over 60% of fatalities. New workers also are over-represented in fatalities. Initial training for new workers and refresher training for experienced trainers is essential.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 3.5% of workers experienced a work-related injury in 2021-22. While slips, trips, and manual handling were most common, falls from height remain disproportionately severe (ABS Work-Related Injuries).

In NSW, SafeWork’s Falls from Heights Insights and Action Plan emphasises eliminating or engineering out height risks wherever possible (SafeWork NSW).

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Preventing Falls: Best Practice

Employers and workers should apply the hierarchy of controls:

1. Eliminate the need to work at height if possible.
2. Substitute with safer alternatives, such as using an elevating work platform instead of a ladder.
3. Engineer controls like guardrails, scaffolding, or secure anchor points.
4. Administrative controls — safe work procedures, supervision, and clear signage.
5. PPE such as fall-arrest harnesses, only as the last line of defence.

Regular inspections of equipment (harnesses, lanyards, skylights, access systems) are essential. Training and refresher courses should be mandatory, especially for high-risk groups such as inexperienced or older workers.

Training: Building a Safety Culture

Pipeline Training Australia delivers the RIIWHS204E – Work Safely at Heights unit. The course covers:

• Identifying work requirements and risks
• Installing and using fall protection systems
• Performing tasks safely at height
• Cleaning up and maintaining equipment

Delivered face-to-face at our Rouse Hill facility, the program is designed for workers in operational roles across construction, civil infrastructure, and related industries.

Conclusion

Falls from height are preventable, yet they remain one of Australia’s deadliest workplace hazards. Recent prosecutions, enforcement campaigns, and statistics highlight the urgent need for vigilance. For employers, investing in training, equipment, and culture not only meets legal obligations but protects lives.

References

• Safe Work Australia – Key WHS Statistics 2024
• SafeWork NSW – Falls from Heights Insights and Action Plan
• SafeWork NSW – $972k in fines campaign
• ABS – Work Related Injuries Survey
• Training.gov.au – RIIWHS204E