Falls from height is the number one cause of death on NSW construction sites. The most serious and fatal falls are from roofs, ladders and scaffolds, and from a height of under 4 metres.
SafeWork NSW has published three “Toolbox Talk” fact sheets that I think you will find both informative and a tool to assist you address the risks of working at heights with your staff.
Roof Edge Protection – Fact Sheet
Where the need to work from a roof cannot be reasonably eliminated, the best control measure for preventing falls over a roof edge is physcail guardrails. There are numerous proprietory temporary edge protection systems available, tha can be used for a wide range of roof types. Click on this link for a copy roof-temporary-edge-protection-systems-fact-sheet
Using Ladders – Toolbox Talk
This toolbox talk about the safe use of ladders can be delivered by construction supervisors, and provides basic safety tips for workers who use ladders. This could also become a part of your site induction program. Click on this link for a copy ladders-in-construction-toolbox-talk
Using Scaffolds – Toolbox Talk
This toolbox talk and the does and don’ts regarding scaffolding can be delivered by construction site supervisors, and provides basic safety tips for workers who work on large prefabricated modular scaffolds. Once again this could become a module in your site induction program. Click on this link for a copy scaffolds-in-construction-toolbox-talk
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