Working at Heights in NSW

Working at Heights in NSW | Steps to Assess and Overcome Risks

At Workplace Access & Safety, we’re specialists in providing systems that protect workers, particularly when they work at heights in NSW. In order to ensure their protection is adequate, we conduct a comprehensive risk assessment, either a generic one if several areas are exactly the same or, more likely, a separate one for each area that has unique characteristics and hazards.

Our risk assessment involves a number of steps and is conducted by one of our experienced inspectors who have a valid working at heights licence for NSW:

1. We assess the work area, looking at the physical environment and how workers operate there. We identify any hazards and look at physical controls and procedures that are already in place.
2. We assess the risks, determining their severity and if existing measures are present and effective against them. From that, we can determine what action, if any, needs to be taken and how urgently this needs to be done.
3. We decide how any risks are to be controlled. This is based on a hierarchy of control where the highest level of protection must be provided where possible, only going to a lower level if not practical. These levels involve:

• eliminating the risk by removing the hazard; for example, by working from the ground if possible
• minimising the risk by providing a solid and even working surface with barriers to prevent falls
• providing a safe system of work with control measures such as fall protection devices, fall arrest systems or static line anchor points
• reviewing existing control measures to ensure they remain effective and updating them if not; this may be necessary if there is a new hazard, a change to working practices or accidents have not been prevented.

Comprehensive Inspections for a Working at Height Certificate NSW

When working at height, there can be no half-measures when it comes to safety. Because of that, we have uncompromising standards and offer a comprehensive service to ensure your workers are safe. This amounts to regular and thorough inspections at prescribed intervals by knowledgeable, competent and licensed professionals.

At each inspection, we check that:

• safety line systems are reliable and completely safe to use; all users are also encouraged to conduct a visual check before each use, including the lines themselves and every anchor point
• ladders are safe, suitable for their purpose and free from defects
• guard rails are installed correctly and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines
• abseil anchors and belay points are in good order
• harnesses and other components show no signs of wear and are still fit for use
• employees are properly trained in the use of safety equipment.

All equipment that passes will be tagged and recorded while anything else will be unusable until repaired or replaced. We will inspect and test at required intervals and can also carry out ad hoc surveys if you have any concerns about safety equipment and procedures.

Assessing and Dealing with Risks is Vital to Working at Heights in NSW

Identified risks may be classified from very likely to very unlikely to happen and the severity or consequence of an accident may be considered critical, major, minor or negligible. The two classifications together will determine a risk’s priority, from high to very low. A high priority will require work to be stopped immediately until the risk is dealt with while other priorities can disrupt production.

Assessing and dealing with risks is a high priority due to the human, legal and business consequences that can otherwise result. We can assess, identify and resolve any problems quickly so employees can work at height safely and effectively in NSW.

Compliance with legislation is essential, as are looking after your workers and running the business efficiently. Using our service, you can fulfil all your obligations and have confidence you’ll continue to do so in the future. So contact us today to book your risk assessment. Read Less