SafeWork SA compliance campaign targets construction falls

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SafeWork SA is launching a compliance campaign from July, targeting construction sites across the state to ensure workers comply with fall protection regulations. The initiative forms part of a broader push to reduce fall-related risk on active job sites.

Falls remain a leading cause of occupational deaths in Australia, and SafeWork SA's data underscores just how serious this hazard is for the construction sector.

Why Falls Remain a Critical Risk in Construction

Last year alone, SafeWork SA received notification of 77 serious fall injuries, reinforcing why falls continue to sit among the highest-risk activities in the industry. Many of these incidents involved hazardous work at height, unsecured plant, or inadequate edge protection.

Construction sites often combine multiple sources of risk — from scaffolding and elevated platforms to plant operating near unprotected edges. When fall prevention measures are absent or poorly maintained, the consequences can be severe, both for worker health and for business continuity.

What the Compliance Campaign Will Cover

SafeWork SA Executive Director Glenn Farrell confirmed more detailed information about the compliance campaign will be released this week. While specifics are still emerging, the regulator's approach is expected to mirror previous efforts, such as SafeWork SA's campaign to prevent construction falls and the falls awareness campaign SafeWork SA has wrapped in prior years.

Inspectors are likely to focus on:

• Fall prevention systems on plant and scaffolding used at height
• Proper isolation of electrical hazards near elevated work areas
• Maintenance records for plant, including height safety equipment
• General site health and safety documentation

This mirrors the format seen in the SafeWork SA compliance campaign targeting childcare centres and schools, where regulators combined site inspections with education and enforcement.

Managing Fall Risk on Site

Reducing fall-related risk requires more than compliance during audit periods — it demands ongoing attention to plant condition, electrical safety, and worker training. Sites with hazardous electrical infrastructure near elevated work areas face compounded risk, since electrical faults can trigger falls or worsen injury severity during an incident.

Businesses can strengthen their fall prevention approach by:

• Regularly inspecting plant used for height access
• Isolating electrical systems before work near exposed edges
• Allocating sufficient resources to maintenance and training programs
• Reviewing site-specific management plans, such as a construction safety management plan or dedicated falls management plan

For sites requiring structured documentation, tools such as the WHSMP Construction Safety Plan and the Falls Prevention Checklist can support consistent risk management practices.

A National Focus on Fall Safety

Falls remain a persistent challenge across Australia, and South Australian regulators aren't alone in prioritising this issue. Similar enforcement activity has been seen nationwide, with agencies allocating additional resources toward inspections, education, and compliance evaluation.

For organisations reviewing internal policy frameworks, resources like the Compliance Evaluation Policy can help formalise how site audits and risk reviews are conducted.

Read more on the SafeWork SA website.

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