Working at Heights SWMS

Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace death in Australian construction. The WHS Regulation 2025 classifies any work where a person could fall more than 2 metres as high risk construction work, requiring a documented SWMS before work begins. This template covers roof work, elevated work platforms, scaffolding access, and ladder use with controls mapped to the binding Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice effective 1 July 2026. All controls follow the hierarchy of control from elimination through to PPE.

Legal Requirements

regulation

WHS Regulation 2025 Part 4.4 — High Risk Construction Work

hrcw category

Work at height greater than 2 metres

code of practice

Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces (binding 1 July 2026 under Section 26A)

section 26a binding

Yes — effective 1 July 2026. Non-compliance is admissible as evidence of breach.

hrwl required

Scaffold erection/dismantle >4 m; EWP operation >11 m (boom-type)

Hazards

Hazard	Consequence	Likelihood
Fatal fall from unprotected edge or opening	Death or permanent spinal injury	Likely
Falling objects striking workers below	Traumatic brain injury, fractures	Possible
Scaffold collapse due to overloading or inadequate ties	Multiple fatalities, crush injuries	Unlikely
EWP tip-over on uneven ground or slope	Death, crush injuries	Possible
Ladder slip or overreach	Fractures, head injury	Likely
Weather exposure — wind, rain, lightning on elevated platforms	Falls, hypothermia, electrocution	Possible

Controls (Hierarchy of Controls)

Eliminate the need to work at height by prefabricating components at ground level

Install permanent guardrail systems compliant with AS/NZS 1170 before work begins

Use travel restraint systems to prevent workers reaching fall edges

Deploy fall arrest systems compliant with AS/NZS 1891 with anchor points rated to 15 kN

Implement a fall from heights permit system with pre-start checklist

Require HRWL holders for scaffold erection above 4 m and EWP operation above 11 m

Develop and communicate a rescue plan before any fall arrest system is used

Enforce wind speed limits — cease work above 40 km/h for EWPs and scaffold erection

Recent Prosecutions

Canon Roofing Pty Ltd$300,000

Worker fell 7 metres from roof edge with no edge protection or fall arrest. Company had no SWMS, no training records, and no rescue plan.

2023 — SafeWork NSW v Canon Roofing Pty Ltd [2023]

Always Energy Pty Ltd$101,000

Apprentice fell 3 metres from residential roof during solar panel installation. No edge protection, no harness, inadequate supervision.

2025 — SafeWork NSW v Always Energy Pty Ltd [2025]

Allcott Hire Pty Ltd$90,000

Workers accessed incomplete scaffold with missing planks and no guardrails. Scaffold erected by unlicensed persons.

2025 — SafeWork NSW v Allcott Hire Pty Ltd [2025]

What Your SWMS Must Include

✓Identification of all locations where a fall of more than 2 metres is possible

✓Specific fall prevention controls for each task and location in hierarchy order

✓HRWL verification records for scaffold and EWP operators

✓Rescue plan with trained rescuers, equipment, and emergency service contact details

✓Weather monitoring triggers and cease-work thresholds

Related SWMS

Scaffolding →Steel Erection →Formwork →

Need a compliant Working at Heights SWMS?

Our WHS consultants build site-specific SWMS that satisfy regulator expectations and protect your workers from Australia's number one construction killer.