Safety in High-Risk Construction Work in Australia

Safety in High-Risk Construction Work in Australia: The Short Answer

High-risk construction work (HRCW) covers 18 activities named in the WHS Regulations, and each one demands a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) before the task begins. Every activity also calls for documented risk management, trained personnel, and control measures selected using the hierarchy of control.

Safety is a priority for those involved in construction, considering that sites pose one of the highest risks across various industries. To protect workers, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation sets out duties at both state and federal levels.

Regulators identify specific activities as high-risk construction work (HRCW) and require strict risk management processes before such tasks may commence. Safe Work Australia, alongside each state authority, publishes codes of practice supporting duty holders who need practical guidance.

What is High-Risk Construction Work (HRCW)?

Within the construction industry, 18 activities carry a high-risk classification because of their potential for serious injury or death. Every listed task requires a Safe Work Method Statement plus active management of the hazards involved.

Activities defined as HRCW include the following (in no particular order):

• Work that involves a risk of a person falling more than two metres
• Work on a telecommunication tower
• Demolition of an element of a structure that is load-bearing or otherwise related to the physical integrity of the structure
• Work that involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos
• Structural alterations or repairs that require temporary support to prevent collapse
• Work in or near a confined space
• Work in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres, or in or near a tunnel
• Work with the use of explosives
• Work on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping
• Work on or near chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines
• Work on or near energised electrical installations or services
• Work in an area that may have a contaminated or flammable atmosphere
• Work involving tilt-up or precast concrete
• Work on, in, or adjacent to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians
• Work in areas where powered mobile plant is moving
• Work in areas subject to artificial extremes of temperature
• Work in or near water or another liquid that involves a drowning risk
• Work that involves diving

Why Identifying HRCW Matters

Understanding the defined list of high-risk construction work is crucial when managing danger, because:

• Compliance: The HRCW list provides a clear, comprehensive picture of construction work considered high risk and therefore subject to additional controls and regulation. Such clarity supports compliance with the WHS Regulations while reducing exposure to legal penalties.
• Risk Assessment: Employers and workers can pinpoint and assess the risks associated with site activities, such as working at heights or excavating, then implement effective control measures to mitigate those risks.
• Injury Prevention: Sound management of the dangers tied to HRCW lowers the likelihood of serious injury or fatality, promoting the health and safety of workers across the construction industry.

By appreciating why controlling risks associated with HRCW matters, employers and workers help build a positive safety culture on site. A shared approach to workplace safety management also strengthens accountability between the principal contractor and every trade partner engaged for the project.

Implementing Risk Management for HRCW

As noted above, risk management is an essential component of managing HRCW, and the process starts by identifying hazards present on site. WHS Regulations require a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) to:

• Identify risks associated with high-risk construction work
• Develop, implement, and maintain a risk management plan
• Ensure workers are trained and qualified to carry out each activity