WorkSafe New Zealand issues safety alert highlighting dangers of working at height

WorkSafe New Zealand has issued a safety alert highlighting the serious health and safety risks involved when working at height and the need to carry out risks assessments before undertaking routine work at height.

WorkSafe said a number of fall from heights incidents have been reported in quarries.

New Zealand's workplace health and safety regulator issued the alert following a recent incident where a quarry worker suffered a rib fracture after falling from a height. The incident occurred while the worker was completing routine maintenance on mobile plant.

WorkSafe said the worker used a ladder to access the screen and climbed along the outside. As he attempted to move across the equipment, he lost his footing and fell approximately 2.1m.

According to WorkSafe, the man will be off work for two weeks before returning to light duties.

The quarry operator did not complete a risk assessment for the task related to the injury, as WorkSafe stated in the alert.

WorkSafe added that the work platform available for the worker to use was fixed height and unsuitable for the job.

The safety regulator said quarry operators should conduct a risk assessment to identify hazards and reduce worker exposure so far as is practicable.

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