Edge Protection on stairwells, balconies and elevated walkways
First published: July 2002
Last updated: April 2008
Background
Recommendations
Health and safety obligations
Further information
Background
In 2002, a worker received fatal injuries when he fell approximately 2.7 metres from an internal walkway to the concrete floor below on a housing construction site in Brisbane. It is believed he had been spray painting the ceiling above the walkway and stairwell and inadvertently stepped off the walkway.
There was no edge protection, such as guard railing or vertical sheeting in place on the walkway to help prevent falls.
This incident highlights the potential for death and serious injury even when working at relatively low heights where edge protection is not provided.
A system of fall protection is required under the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 for:
- housing construction work where there is a potential for a person to fall more than 3 metres; or
- other construction work where there is potential for a person to fall more than 2 metres; or
- construction work on a roof, or partly completed roof surface with a slope over 26°.
This does not necessarily mean that fall protection is not required at heights below those mentioned above. A person could still be exposed to the risk of death or serious injury from a fall from any height.
Recommendations
Risk Assessment
A risk assessment process should be carried out to determine if edge protection, or covers over penetrations, are required at locations where a fall from height could take place. Factors such as the following should be considered:
- whether the area is an access area for workers and others
- the height of the area and possible consequences of a fall
- the work activities likely to take place at that area (i.e. will the worker be standing and focusing on a task where an unprotected edge is not in view?)
- the equipment to be used
- whether there are tripping or entanglement hazards (e.g. compressor and air lines)
- whether there are objects below that may cause more severe injuries (e.g. exposed starter bars).
More about conducting a risk assessment
Stairwells, Balconies and Walkways
In a completed building, guardrails and parapets are provided on stairwells, balconies and elevated walkways for the safety of persons occupying the building. The provision of temporary edge protection in these areas is generally not difficult to provide.
It is therefore considered that edge protection should be installed for workers and others on stairwells, balconies and elevated walkways during construction.
Penetrations
If penetrations in floors are not provided with edge protection they should be covered with fall protection covers, secured in place, and of adequate strength for loadings that may be applied.
Health and safety obligations
Section 28 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 requires employers to ensure the health and safety of their workers and others at a workplace. Section 31 lists obligations of principal contractors, and section 36 lists obligations of workers and other persons.
The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 includes requirements for the provision of fall protection on construction work:
- Sections 214 and 215 contain requirements for the use of fall protection systems
- Section 216 prescribes the requirements for edge protection as a control measure.
Everyone has a part to play in ensuring their workplace health and safety and the workplace health and safety of others in Queensland, and the law prescribes obligations for individuals in their various roles.
More about the obligations of different roles within workplaces under the law
More about the Act, the Regulation and how they work together
Further information
Safety alert – obligations for guardrail systems
Working at heights in the building and construction industry
Conducting a risk assessment
Obligations under workplace health and safety law
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