Attitude in the Working at Heights Industry

Article By Association Secretary and Strategic Programs Manager, Deborah Chick.

Within the broader working at heights, confined space, and construction industry, workplace ethics are developed both at a professional and organisational level. Professionals such as lawyers, engineers and surveyors have ethical codes to uphold as befits their profession. Ethical behaviour is often measured by the degree of trustworthiness and integrity with which companies conduct business. Most organisations have a code of conduct and internal policies, like bullying and harassment to assist in creating the foundations of an ethical business – but what is documented and encouraged isn’t always what happens onsite. 

In industries such as construction, mining, and within the broader working at heights sector, ethics are key. While professionalism and organizational codes of conduct emphasize trust and integrity, these aren’t always reflected in on-site attitudes. The “she’ll be right” mindset persists, trivializing safety concerns.

Where has this attitude come from? The phrase has become characteristically Australian: “she’ll be right, mate” seems to be built into every Aussie’s vocabulary from a very young age. It literally and figuratively sums up a way of thinking, and a way of living here in Australia. Depending on the application / situation, the phrase has become a means of laughing off or making light of a situation until it can be solved. 

So when this phrase is used within the broader working at heights, confined space, and construction industries … what is the impact? We are living in a time where there is an abundance of health awareness and an increasing amount of education and statistics published about the risks and long-term impacts of various illnesses and diseases. Things, that quite simply, a “she’ll be right” attitude won’t help. 

It has been broadly accepted that working at heights is deemed as a high-risk work activity, yet it does not fall under the scope of a high-risk work licensing here in Australia. And sadly, it remains a leading cause of death and serious injury in Australia. Those statistics? Yeah … they aren’t getting any better. 

Between 2017-2024:

  • 154 workers were killed following a fall from heights.
  • In 2023-24 the construction industry accounted for 23% of fatalities.
  • 29 worker fatalities (15%) were attributable to the mechanism of incident Falls from a height in 2023. This is 32% higher than the 5-year average of 22 worker fatalities per year (2019 to 2023).
  • 30% of serious claims for falls from a height were caused by ladders.
  • 45% (13) of Falls from a height worker deaths in 2023 occurred within the Construction industry

We have the data. Even investigations from 2003 were showing the same numbers: all the construction accidents, falls are the leading cause of serious injuries (48%) and fatalities (30%). In particular, falls from height represent more than one third of construction injuries, and are leading causes of multi-serious injuries and fatalities (Albert P. C. Chan). Despite technological and procedural advances, complacency remains a barrier to progress​.

So in nearly twenty years, we have a trending theme of more paperwork onsite, more equipment used to reduce the risk to workers, more engineering solutions to work sites, advancements in technology, infrastructure and equipment – but the statistics are NOT changing. Neither is the complacency attitude or “she’ll be right” stand point. Have we developed a false sense of security about our health and our ability to manage financially, for an unexpected event we assumed would never happen to us?

Mate-ship, loyalty, self-sufficiency can all lead to a workplace ethic that isn’t actually on par with historical definitions. 

Ethical Practice and Responsibility

In this high-risk environment, workplace ethics must evolve. The four fundamental principles—ethical practice, professional excellence, responsibility to the public, and client-centered practice—require alignment between conduct and practice, particularly in high-risk industries like construction and working at heights. Ethics must go beyond just written codes to prevent incidents resulting from negligence or overconfidence.

Mental Health and Cultural Challenges

Ethics also extend to mental health. Workplace culture must change to address mental health concerns, challenging the complacency and “she’ll be right” mentality that overlooks both physical and mental well-being​

It is expected that workers in construction should be guided in all their relationships by the highest standards of integrity and honesty. All workers should conduct themselves honourably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honour, reputation and value of the profession. Workers should avoid conduct or practices that deceive the public or represent a real or perceived conflict of interest. 

Did you know that construction workers are overrepresented in suicide rates in Australia, being 70% more likely to take their lives in comparison to males in other industries?

She’ll be right.

Workers in the height safety sector / construction should respect the rights of others and should not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, gender, marital status, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation nor knowingly violate any law, statute, or regulation in the performance of professional services. In fact, in todays age organisations are striving to create a more diverse workforce.

Along with a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment including sexual harassment and bullying, there should be unanimous workforce contributions to the advancement of the profession by using best practices, continuing their professional education, and contributing to the development of the future workforce.

This should go hand in hand with the responsibility to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the workplace and the public.

By shifting focus to proactive safety measures, transparent communication, and cultural shifts in risk awareness, the industry can aim to reduce both the physical and mental toll on its workers.

References:

https://www.irbnet.de/daten/iconda/CIB20119.pdf

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09699980310466596/full/html

https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/key-whs-stats-2024

Safety Leadership: Shaping the Future of Falls Prevention

The Australian Institute of Health & Safety invites you to join their upcoming webinar titled Culture, Technology and Competency – How Safety Leadership Can Shape the Future of Falls Prevention being held on Tuesday 29 October.

Falls from height remain a critical risk across many industries, consistently ranking amongst the top three fatal hazards in the workplace. SafeWork statistics reflect this stubborn trend, revealing a concerning absence of any significant change in the number of fatalities since they started reporting on falls and dropped objects as aligned mechanisms of death. This data highlights the severity of the issue, with falls from height and dropped objects collectively contributing an average of 21% of workplace fatalities annually since 2018 (when the data started being reported).

Assuming the systems we put in place effectively address the risk profile, the question is then how much transparency is there around the core competencies required and the maintenance of these skills, for us to deliver the safety outcomes desired?

Organisations generally do not have a clear line of sight with regards to the ‘transparency of competency’ and therefore they must assume training is relevant, workers skilled, aware and confident to operate safely in a “falls” environment. This lack of transparency, the increased commodification of training and the consequential questionable learning outcomes, are contributing factors in the ongoing issue. As safety leaders, how do we harness technology to effectively bridge these gaps?

Participants will get insight into:

  • Understanding the persistent risks associated with falls from height: Falls and dropped objects consistently rank as top contributors to workplace fatalities, highlighting the importance of addressing this critical safety risk.
  • Recognising the lack of transparency in competency assessment: Organisations often lack clarity around workers’ competency in operating safely in high-risk environments, leading to assumptions about training effectiveness and workers’ skills.
  • Identifying the role of technology in improving safety outcomes: Exploring how technology can bridge gaps in training, competency, and safety performance to mitigate risks and enhance workplace safety around fall prevention.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 29 October, 2024
Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm AEST
Cost:  AIHS Member: Complimentary | Non Member $33 (incl. GST)
Format: One hour Zoom webinar 
CPD Points: 1 Point

Click here to register.

WorkSafe WA Release Working at Height Safety Bulletin

Safety is everyone’s business
As October is National Safe Work Month, we’d like to introduce our new Working at Heights Safety Bulletin, which will provide relevant updates and information to ensure all contractors and customers remain safe and well.

“Working at heights is a high-risk construction activity, and falls from heights are a leading cause of death and serious injury in Australia” Safe Work Australia”

National Safe Work Month provides a timely reminder that working at heights can be a dangerous activity. During October (and beyond), Finance encourages all contractors to review their working at heights processes to ensure they are compliant with current legislative requirements. Finance would also like to remind contractors that all incidents and near misses must be reported to your Finance Representative.

Assessing risk
If working at heights can’t be eliminated, the team conducting the works must complete a risk assessment before starting work. Prior to commencing any works at height, and as part of the WorkSafe risk management planning process, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must:  Identify the hazards.
Assess the risks.
Control the risks.
Regularly review control measures.
Risk management process
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Who is responsible?
During the risk management process, PCBUs should consult with workers and other PCBUs who have a work health or safety (WHS) duty in relation to the same matter, so far as is reasonably practicable.

On construction sites, there’s often more than one PCBU involved in the same activities or workplace and they may have shared responsibility for the same WHS matter. This responsibility extends to the management and supervision of subcontractors engaged by builders as subject matter experts on construction sites. 
Hierarchy of controls: mitigating risks

When mitigating falls from height risks, the hierarchy of controls should be used to assess the risks associated with the task.

The controls are listed are from most (Level 1) to least (Level 3) effective. The best strategy may involve one or more controls. 
Hierarchy of controls

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Steps to controlling the risk of falls
Part 4.4 of the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 provides information on controlling the risk of falls using the following steps:

1. Elimination
The most effective level of control is to remove the risk.
Work at heights should be avoided if reasonably practicable.Do as much work as possible from the ground.
2. Substitution, isolation, and engineering: 
If working at heights can’t be eliminated, works should be carried out on a solid construction. A solid construction has: 
-: A surface that can support all people and things that may be located or placed on it.
-: An even surface and gradient that’s easy to negotiate.
-: Barriers to prevent a fall around its perimeter and any openings
-: A safe way to enter and exit.
Persons conducting a business or undertaking must put in place a safe system of work that may include, as far as is reasonably practicable a fall prevention system such as: 
-: safety mesh
-: elevated work platforms
-: guard rails
-: platforms
-: walkways and skylight protection
-: permanently mounted stairways and ladder systems or roof access hatches
-: a work positioning system, for example an industrial rope access system and fall-arrest system.
3. Administration and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 
A Working at Heights Permit may be used as a control measure to ensure the works at height are planned to include: 
-: safe work method statements
-: information and training including: high risk licenses signage using the correct personal protective equipment.
-: administrative and PPE controls are the least preferred method of protection because they do not provide a physical or positive means of protection.
Additional information
For additional information, please access: 
Code of practice – Construction work
Code of practice – Managing the risk of falls at workplaces
Code of practice – Safe design of structures
Information sheet – Reasonably practicable
Information sheet – Managing the risk of falls at workplaces
Work Health and Safety Act 2020
Safety Share – Case Study
Case studies are a great way to learn from experience. Please share the below with all workers for their knowledge and learning.

Esperance business owner jailed after pleading guilty to gross negligence that led to the death of a worker

In March 2020, two workers employed by a regional PCBU were installing roofing on a shed at a farm in Esperance. Severe winds lifted one of the roofing sheets being installed.

One worker fell around 9 metres from the apex of the shed, suffering fatal injuries. The other worker fell approximately 7 metres and suffered several fractures to their ribs, pelvis, neck, and wrist.

No high-risk work licenses for activity or safety harnesses were in place.

The PCBU allowed its workers to undertake construction work without a construction induction training certificate, commonly known as a ‘White Card’).

ABC News reported that the prosecutor told the Esperance Magistrate’s Court there was a, “failure to implement safety systems and supervise for a long period of time”, that the risk of an incident of this type occurring was not low and “there was a knowing acceptance of the danger”.  

The prosecutor told the court the director was, “well aware of the risk”. The director had been in construction for 30 years, with 20 years of experience in building sheds.

The director of the PCBU overseeing the works was sentenced to 8 months in jail with a remaining 18 months to be suspended for a period of 12 months.

The PCBU was fined $605,000 for safety breaches, and the director was instructed to pay a personal fine of $2,250 for operating a crane without a license.

The director did not do everything reasonably practicable to ensure the workers were not exposed to harm due to the hazard of working at height.