WorkSafe takes firm stance as employees and their families bear consequences of falls

WorkSafe Takes Firm Stance as Employees and Their Families Bear Consequences of Falls

WorkSafe Victoria has adopted a tough enforcement approach to avert serious falls from heights, with numerous construction companies referred for possible legal measures in the initial months of this year.

The workplace safety regulator has reported that, so far this year, 18 incidents related to fall risks are undergoing detailed investigation with the possibility of criminal charges, while 21 additional businesses have been issued formal written warnings, which will be considered if further violations are found.

Furthermore, the total amount includes court fines, undertakings, and costs that surpass $1.65 million for 36 employers related to fall risk in the previous year. Among these, 26 were in construction, an industry known for experiencing more critical injuries due to falls compared to other sectors.

Inspectors Focus on Fall Hazards Before Harm Occurs

WorkSafe's Executive Director of Health and Safety, Sam Jenkin, said inspectors were directing duty holders toward legal proceedings, irrespective of whether an incident had occurred.

"It's too late to act once someone has fallen, that's why inspectors are cracking down on all observed falls risks, including considering more serious action on issues that might previously have first prompted an improvement notice," Mr Jenkin said.

"Falls from height continue to be a leading cause of fatalities and workplace harm in the construction industry, despite well-known prevention measures."

Why Falls From Height Remain a Persistent Danger

Falls from height remain one of the most serious hazards facing construction workers, often resulting in life-altering injuries or fatalities that ripple through families and workplaces alike. WorkSafe Victoria's enforcement priority signals a broader shift across safety regulators nationally, who are increasingly willing to pursue prosecution even absent an actual incident, provided a genuine risk to health and safety exists.

For duty holders in construction, this means fall prevention can no longer be treated as a box-ticking exercise. Effective controls, such as those outlined in a Falls from Heavy Vehicles SOP, help businesses address workplace fall hazards before an inspector, or worse, an incident, forces the issue.

What Businesses Should Do to Address Workplace Fall Hazards

• Conduct regular height risk assessments across all construction sites
• Maintain up-to-date fall prevention checklists, such as this Falls Prevention Checklist, for site supervisors
• Ensure plant and equipment used at height, tracked through a Plant and Equipment Register, remains compliant and well-maintained
• Document falls management procedures within a broader Falls Management Plan

WorkSafe Victoria is committed to inclusive workplaces where health and safety obligations extend to every worker, regardless of role or seniority. Similar momentum is building elsewhere, as seen when NT WorkSafe launched new resources to help employers and employees meet positive duty obligations.

A National Pattern of Stricter Enforcement

WorkSafe is putting employers on notice that preventing falls is now an enforcement priority, not an afterthought. This latest crackdown follows earlier warnings; our coverage of construction falls that prompted a WorkSafe Victoria warning highlighted similar concerns well before this year's figures were released.

Tasmania has echoed this focus too, with workplace health and safety awareness promoted during WorkSafe Month, reinforcing that fall risk management remains a shared national concern rather than a single-state issue.

Businesses seeking practical guidance can also explore resources showcased at the Workplace Health and Safety Show, where fall prevention solutions and safety innovations are regularly on display.

The Bottom Line for Construction Employers

Every worker deserves to return home safely, and WorkSafe's stance makes clear that fall risk investigation and prosecution will intensify wherever hazards are identified. Construction businesses that invest in genuine fall prevention now will avoid becoming part of next year's enforcement statistics.

Read more here.