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