New Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard Launched

New Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard Launched

SafeWork NSW has launched a new Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard to prevent work-related injuries and deaths across construction sites. This high-level scaffold management tool gives workers, employers and site supervisors clear direction on managing risk when working at height.

NSW Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos said this marks an important step towards ensuring health and safety of all workers involved in scaffolding work undertaken throughout New South Wales.

"The Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard is an essential and comprehensive resource that provides practical advice for those undertaking scaffolding work," Ms Petinos said.

Complementing Existing Reporting Tools

"The Safety Standard complements the SafeWork NSW 'Speak Up, Save Lives' app, which allows for anonymous reporting of workplace health and safety risks," Ms Petinos added.

This app gives site personnel a confidential channel to flag hazardous conditions or unsafe equipment before incidents occur, supporting a stronger safety culture on construction sites.

Honouring Christopher Cassaniti's Legacy

"Following the tragic death of Christopher Cassaniti just over three years ago, the NSW Government is seeking to ensure such a tragic incident never occurs again," Ms Petinos said.

Cassaniti died after scaffolding equipment collapsed at a Sydney construction site, prompting renewed scrutiny of scaffold-related plant and equipment standards across the industry. His death remains a driving factor behind stronger legislation and safety resources for high risk construction work.

Why This Standard Matters for Construction Businesses

Scaffolding remains classed as high risk construction work under WHS legislation, meaning employers carry significant obligations to manage exposure to falls, plant failure and structural collapse.

Key areas the new standard addresses include:

• Safe erection, alteration and dismantling of scaffolding equipment
• Inspection requirements for plant and equipment used on construction sites
• Risk management processes for hazardous work at height
• Communication protocols between scaffolders, supervisors and other trades

Businesses operating construction plant and equipment should review current procedures against this updated guidance to confirm ongoing compliance with health and safety obligations. Organisations managing similar obligations elsewhere may find our workplace safety programs launched in WA's resources sector a useful comparison for sector-specific risk controls.

Supporting a Broader Safety Push Across Industries

This scaffolding standard follows a pattern of targeted safety resources rolled out across Australian industries facing elevated risk. Road transport, resources and construction sectors have each seen dedicated guidance published in recent years.

Readers researching sector-specific initiatives can review our coverage of the new health and safety guide for the NSW road freight transport industry, or the initiative enhancing safety of Victorian road workers, both of which mirror this focus on reducing preventable harm through clear legislation and equipment standards.

Businesses operating in New Zealand facing comparable scaffold and construction plant obligations can also explore our safety documents for New Zealand businesses for jurisdiction-specific templates and guidance.

Where to Access the Standard

View the new Scaffolding Industry Safety Standard here.