Height Safety SERVICES

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it is your responsibility to ensure as "reasonably practicable" the health and safety of any workers (employees and/or subcontractors) carrying out activities on your building.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 outlines the general legal requirements of building owners and other responsible parties for keeping workers safe while carrying out work in, on or around your building. Section 19 of the 2011 WHS Act is law states:

"A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of other persons is not put at risk from work carried out as part of the conduct of business or undertaking."

This includes requirements to minimise the risk of falls so far as is reasonably practicable by providing a fall prevention device, work positioning system or a fall arrest system.

In Australia, it is essential to ensure that all height safety equipment, including anchors and personal protective equipment (PPE), is regularly inspected and certified to maintain safety and compliance with regulations. Here are the general guidelines:

• Anchors: Anchors should be inspected and certified at least once every 12 months by a competent person. However, the frequency may vary depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations, the type of anchor, and the conditions to which the anchors are exposed.

• Height Safety PPE: Personal protective equipment used for height safety, such as harnesses, lanyards, and fall arrest devices, should also be inspected at least every 12 months. Additionally, a visual inspection should be performed by the user before each use to check for any signs of damage or wear.

Regular inspections help to ensure that all equipment remains in good working condition and continues to provide the necessary protection for workers at height. Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines and relevant Australian Standards (such as AS/NZS 1891 for fall arrest equipment) for specific requirements and recommendations.

 While many skylights are equipped with safety wire mesh, this does not ensure that the mesh will be strong enough to prevent a worker from falling through. Tragically, there have been numerous fatalities over the years due to falls through insufficiently protected skylights and roof lights.

Assessing whether the mesh beneath your skylights provides adequate fall protection involves considering several factors. Firstly, the safety mesh must meet the requirements of the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4389, which outlines the necessary specifications for design, construction, testing, and installation.

The mesh should be structurally robust and free of corrosion. Moreover, the installation process is crucial; the mesh must be securely fastened, properly overlapped, and correctly joined to ensure it can effectively arrest a fall.