In two separate incidents in NSW, one man died and another man was seriously injured after falling off portable ladders while painting. Both men were working at a height of about five metres.
The Australian newspaper quoted CFMEU State Secretary, Andrew Ferguson, as saying there is a “lack of respect for health and safety issues… People are cutting corners to get jobs done, which jeopardises the safety of workers.”
OHS Regulation
In NSW Clause 56 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 sets out controls for the prevention of falls from heights:
In summary, if a fall from a height of more than two metres is possible, an employer must ensure that risks are controlled in one of the following ways:
- A stable and securely-fenced work platform (such as scaffolding) can be used
- If such a platform is not practicable, other physical barriers that may prevent the fall of a person should be provided. These can include fencing or handrails
- If these barriers are also not practicable, other forms of physical restraints that will arrest the fall of a person must be put in place
WorkCover NSW Safety Alert
The recent incidents prompted WorkCover NSW to release a “Safe Use of Portable Ladders” safety alert. In addition to setting out the relevant OHS requirements, the alert also listed some additional controls:
- Ensure a domestic ladder is not being used in an industrial setting, as the load ratings are different
- Ensure the ladder is fitted with rubber feet
- Ensure the supporting surface is appropriate and level, so the ladder will not slide or sink
- Ensure the ratio of height : horizontal distance of the bottom of the ladder to the wall is 4:1
- Ensure there are always three points of contact on the ladder.
The full alert can be found here
3 Comments
another good summary Wayne thanks this is really relevant to us and how some artists operate
Thanks David. Some of the articles this month are also relevant to your event.
OHS is one of the most important factors when running a company, so why do employers continue to cut corners and risk workers safety? I would think that equipment is very costly and employers don’t want to lose out on new equipment as soon as there is slight damage or repair required to old equipment. Maybe there should be some sort of system set up with the building and construction industry to ensure each job site is effectively and safely monitored and even further financial assistance for businesses requiring large amounts of PPE and other safety gear. WorkCovers decision to start auditing companies with high claims statistics is just a start, but there is a long way to go.