Victoria’s construction industry has been placed under a safety spotlight after a string of serious incidents involving workers falling from heights.
Last week, the state’s workplace health and safety regulator, WorkSafe Victoria, issued a firm warning to employers and tradies, urging immediate action after increased incidents.
Despite ongoing enforcement campaigns, workplace falls have continued to occur, as evidenced by the spate of recent convictions and fines.
Last month, construction firm Caelli Constructions was slapped with a $70,000 fine after a carpenter fell through unsupported plywood flooring at a Melbourne construction site, becoming lodged in scaffolding below.
An investigation found that the beams underneath the plywood formwork had been removed, and without the scaffold, the worker would have fallen two levels to the ground.
Meanwhile, building group Adcon Vic was fined $100,000 after a worker fell nearly three metres from an unprotected edge at a West Melbourne construction site.
In that instance, the court found that no barriers or even protective flaggings were in place despite workers raising concerns. The victim has since suffered ongoing health issues.
The rising risks of construction falls
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Sam Jenkin says falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries in the construction sector.
“It’s an employer’s legal duty to put in place appropriate risk control measures, and those who fail to do so will face the consequences,” Mr Jenkin said.
“This case highlights the serious consequences of taking shortcuts on safety and has sadly left a worker with ongoing health battles.”
Recent statistics highlight the scope of the issue. In 2023, nine Victorian workers lost their lives due to falls from heights, including four in the construction sector.
WorkSafe accepted over 440 fall-related claims from injured construction workers, with accidents ranging from falls off ladders to scaffolding mishaps and slips through floor openings.
Death isn’t the only risk job-site falls pose, with debilitating injuries such as concussions, fractures, and chronic pain often ending careers prematurely.
Falls per location (VIC 2023):
- 160 fell from ladders
- 46 from steps and stairways
- 31 from buildings or structures
- 27 from scaffolding
- 13 from openings in floors, walls, or ceilings
Mr Jenkin said the safety watchdog was disappointed to see their message continuing to slip through the cracks despite numerous statewide crackdowns and inspection blitzes in recent years.
“It is extremely frustrating and simply unacceptable that falls continue to be one of the biggest causes of death and serious injury on Victorian construction sites when the risks and the ways to manage them are so well known,” he said.
“Incidents like this often end in tragedy, and having the right measures in place can literally be the difference between life and death.”
Steps to prevent falls from heights
Proper training, appropriate equipment, and clear communication are key to maintaining safety at heights. A proactive approach ensures both compliance and protection for workers.
By prioritising these measures, employers can significantly reduce the risk of falls on construction sites.
Build-it’s height safety tips:
- Eliminate fall risks by completing tasks on the ground or on a stable base when possible.
- Use fall prevention gear;scaffolding, guardrails, screens, safety mesh, or work platforms.
- Implement positioning systems like travel-restraints to ensure workers stay in safe zones.
- Use arrest systems: harnesses, safety nets, and catch platforms, to reduce injury risks.
- Ensure formwork safety by having designs inspected and signed off. Mark unsafe zones.
- Provide site training and ensure Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are prepared.
WorkSafe Executive Director of Health and Safety Narelle Beer said one of the most essential actions tradies and construction bosses can take to prevent job-site falls is to drop the “it can’t happen to me” attitude.
“A fall can happen in just seconds, but the consequences can last a lifetime, including devastating injuries and loss of life,” Dr Beer said.
“It might be easy to think that a tragic incident will never happen on your site, but if safety is not the top priority every day, then the chances are high that it will.”
“We have a dedicated team of inspectors visiting sites across the state, and there is zero tolerance for employers who fail to take the well-known risks of falls seriously.”
