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

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, along with the need to carry out risk assessments before undertaking routine work at height. Falls from height remain a leading cause of serious injury and death across construction, manufacturing and quarrying operations, and this alert reinforces why robust management systems matter for every site.

Falls From Height Reported in Quarries

WorkSafe said a number of falls from height 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 height.

The incident occurred while the worker completed routine maintenance on mobile plant and equipment. WorkSafe said he used a ladder to access the screen and climbed along the outside of the equipment. As he attempted to move across the machinery, 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.

Risk Assessment Failures Identified

The quarry operator did not complete a risk assessment for the task related to the injury, as WorkSafe stated in the alert. Effective risk management systems require operators to assess hazardous tasks before work begins, not after an incident occurs.

WorkSafe added that the work platform available for use was fixed height and unsuitable for the job. This gap in equipment planning left the worker without adequate controls to safely reach the screen, a common failure point in quarry health and safety management.

Why Risk Assessments Matter for Working at Height

The safety regulator said quarry operators should conduct risk assessments to identify hazards and reduce worker exposure so far as is practicable. Falls from height are preventable when businesses embed proper hazard identification into their day-to-day operations and equipment selection processes.

For technical professionals managing quarry sites, mobile plant maintenance, or other elevated work, this alert is a reminder that:

• Every height-related task needs a documented risk assessment, regardless of how routine it seems
• Equipment such as ladders and work platforms must suit the specific job, not just be available on site
• Fixed-height platforms are often unsuitable for tasks requiring worker movement across equipment
• Management systems should require sign-off on access equipment before hazardous work begins

Businesses operating in New Zealand can strengthen their approach with structured working at height safety packages that build risk assessment and control measures directly into daily operations. These systems help ensure teams identify fall hazards early and select appropriate equipment before work starts, rather than relying on ad hoc decisions made on site.

Organisations seeking broader support can also review New Zealand OHS/WHS management systems covering hazard identification, equipment controls and incident reporting across multiple industries, including quarrying, construction and manufacturing.

Related WorkSafe New Zealand Alerts

This is not the first safety alert WorkSafe New Zealand has issued this year. The regulator previously flagged concerns in its safety alert following a hot work incident, and separately released fresh guidelines on electrical safety for imported buildings. Businesses can also read about transport safety improvements identified in a recent WorkSafe New Zealand report.

Employers across sectors, including hospitality operations covered under Hospitality HSWA New Zealand requirements, can benefit from reviewing available management systems for New Zealand workplaces to keep pace with evolving regulator expectations around height, health and equipment safety.

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