Workers in the Northern Territory still disregarding risks of falling from height - WorkSafe

Workers in the Northern Territory Still Disregarding Risks of Falling from Height – WorkSafe

NT WorkSafe has recently issued a reminder to all workplaces regarding the hazards associated with working at elevated heights, as well as the necessary control measures required to mitigate those risks. Falls remain one of the most preventable causes of serious injury and death across Australian workplaces, making health and safety systems a priority for every employer managing height-related tasks.

Recent statistics from Safe Work Australia show falls from heights rank as the second leading cause of occupational deaths in Australia, with a notable rise of 71% since 2022, with the number of deaths rising from 17 to 29.

In spite of these alarming numbers, residents of the Northern Territory still choose to disregard the dangers, according to NT WorkSafe.

During September, WorkSafe inspectors were informed of three incidents where work was performed at heights without adequate fall protection safeguards. Each case highlights gaps in equipment provision and a lack of proper systems for managing height-related hazards on site.

Why Falls from Height Remain a Persistent Hazard

Falls continue to threaten worker health despite decades of awareness campaigns and improved safety equipment. Hazardous conditions often arise when employers underestimate risk or fail to provide appropriate equipment for the task at hand.

Common contributing factors include:

• Absence of guardrails or edge protection on elevated work platforms
• Inadequate training on safe use of height access equipment
• Poor maintenance of fall arrest systems and harnesses
• Underestimating hazardous conditions on temporary structures

Employers working across construction, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors must treat height safety as a non-negotiable component of daily operations, not an afterthought addressed only after an incident occurs.

Building Reliable Systems for Working at Height

Effective height safety depends on robust systems that combine risk assessment, equipment selection, and ongoing supervision. Organisations should review their control measures regularly to confirm equipment remains fit for purpose and workers understand how to use it correctly.

For practical guidance on reducing height-related hazards, review our detailed resource on how to prevent falls from height and keep workers safe. Businesses sourcing compliant gear can also explore our range of height access equipment SOPs for practical, ready-to-use documentation.

Companies managing multiple work sites may benefit from our comprehensive working at height safety packages, which bundle policies, procedures, and equipment inspection templates into a single resource.

Strengthening Workplace Health Outcomes

NT WorkSafe's reminder follows broader efforts across the territory to improve workplace health outcomes, including recent changes covered in our article on the Northern Territory's Work Health Authority resignation. WorkSafe has also flagged other hazardous exposure risks in recent advisories, such as our coverage of how WorkSafe advises employers to protect workers from lead exposure.

Businesses managing plant equipment alongside height-related tasks should also consult our update on managing risks of plant in the workplace code of practice, which outlines control obligations relevant to combined hazards on site.

Read more here.