SA builders and contractors urged to work together to prevent fall from height injuries

SA Builders and Contractors Urged to Work Together to Prevent Fall From Height Injuries

SafeWork SA reminds builders and contractors to work together to reduce risks of falls from height in workplaces during 'April No-Falls.' This annual safety initiative highlights why robust management systems and reliable equipment remain critical across South Australian construction sites.

Fall From Height Statistics in South Australia

SafeWork SA statistics show construction accounted for 48% of all serious notifiable injuries associated with a fall from height, plus 86% of identified non-compliances in 2021. These figures underscore ongoing gaps in safety management across the construction industry.

SafeWork SA 2020 data further shows 35% of serious injuries occurred within residential construction, a sector where hazardous work practices and outdated equipment choices continue to pose challenges for duty holders.

Supporting the SACSA Working at Heights Initiative

SafeWork backs the South Australian Construction Safety Alliance (SACSA) working at heights initiative, aimed at reducing fall risks on SA construction sites through improved plant selection, better access equipment and stronger compliance systems.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell said, "the continued use of portable ladders to work at height in the residential construction sector is of great concern."

"It should be foreseeable to builders and contractors that continued use of portable ladders will result in serious injury due to their instability. Portable ladders are only suitable for light-duty tasks over short durations."

"I have advised our inspectors to take greater enforcement action against duty holders that are not following the hierarchy of controls and allowing portable ladders to be used inappropriately," said Mr Campbell.

Why Equipment and Systems Selection Matters for Fall Prevention

Choosing appropriate plant and equipment forms a core part of any effective safety management approach. Portable ladders, while convenient, often lack stability needed for hazardous tasks lasting longer than a few minutes.

Builders should assess whether alternative access systems — such as scaffolding, elevated work platforms or mobile plant — provide safer solutions than ladders for extended jobs. Strong management systems help duty holders match equipment to actual site conditions rather than convenience.

• Review hierarchy of controls before selecting access equipment
• Ensure plant and systems suit duration and nature of hazardous tasks
• Maintain compliance with SafeWork SA enforcement expectations
• Train every worker on correct equipment use and limitations

Building Stronger Safety Management Systems

Effective safety management extends beyond equipment choice. Consistent systems for planning, supervision and worker consultation help reduce fall risks across residential and commercial sites alike.

Duty holders benefit from documented management systems that clarify responsibilities, outline compliance obligations and support ongoing review of plant and equipment suitability. A single worker's understanding of correct procedures often determines whether a task ends safely.

Businesses seeking to strengthen their approach may find value in a Work Health and Safety Manual or task-specific documentation like a Stabilizer RM300 and RM500 Safe Work Method Statement, both of which support consistent management systems on active sites.

Learning From Enforcement Outcomes

Recent enforcement actions elsewhere reinforce SafeWork SA's message. Cases such as the Auckland business fined over fall from height injuries to worker and the WA company fined after worker suffers fall from height injuries highlight how inadequate equipment and poor compliance systems lead to costly consequences.

Practical Steps for Builders and Contractors

South Australian builders can take several practical measures to strengthen safety outcomes this April No-Falls and beyond:

• Audit current plant and access equipment against hierarchy of controls
• Update management systems to reflect current compliance requirements
• Consult SafeWork SA guidance before starting hazardous work at height
• Document duty holder responsibilities clearly across every project

Organisations managing broader safety and wellbeing obligations may also benefit from reviewing mental health policies and plans, since physical safety and psychological wellbeing often intersect on demanding construction sites.

For more on this story, visit the SafeWork SA website.