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Working at Heights: 11 fatal accidents
in the WA mining
industry between
Fall Restraint 2000 and 2016
and were caused by a
Fall Arrest Systems fall from height
Australian statistics
Between 1 January 2003 and 31 December
2015:

•359 workers killed from a fall from height

28% of fatalities in •Half of these fell three metres or less

Australia were caused •The greatest number of fatalities involved falling
by a fall from a height
from roofs (59), ladders (54), and vehicles (27)
in 2015
•Workers aged 45 years and over made up 65%
of those who died
Serious Incident Reports (WA Mining Industry)

• SIR 235 Fatality - • SIR 171 Fatality - • SIR 164 Fatality -

Fall from height in a Fall from Fall from height in
process vessel cantilevered scaffold an ore pass
platform

• SIR 166 Fatality - • SIR 153 Fatality - • SIR 159 Fatality –

Fall from height in a Truck driver falls Fall through grid
process vessel from haul truck mesh floor

• SIR 212 Fall from • SIR 202 Fall from • SIR 053 Fatality -
height at mobile crane deck results in Fall from elevated
screening plant serious injury work platform
What is a fall injury prevention system?
• Fall injury prevention systems are designed to
prevent the persons’ fall and minimise the risk of
injuries or harm during the fall

• Includes fall restraint systems, fall arrest

systems, catch platforms, scaffolding, safety nets
and safety mesh

• Only used when it is not practicable to eliminate,

substitute or isolate the fall hazard
Fall restraint systems
• A restraint system comprises
• anchorage points
• static line or restraint line
• harness

• Must be designed and installed to prevent

access to the exposed edge

• Not suitable if:

• person can reach fall position
• slope is > 15o
• misuse of equipment is possible
• danger person can fall through surface
(eg. roof)
Fall arrest systems
• Designed to arrest an accidental fall. Includes use of:
o anchorages
o full body harnesses
o lanyards
o shock absorbers
o karabiners (double or triple action)
o snap hooks (double or triple action)
o inertia reels
o rescue equipment

• Ensure use is in accordance with manufacturers’

instructions
Fall arrest systems
Common uses:
•Erecting and dismantling scaffold
•Boom type elevated work platforms
•Inspections and work on inaccessible areas of
buildings, vessels, and other structures
•Ladder and tower access systems
•Underground work adjacent to fall hazards
Hazards from fall arrest systems
• Falling to ground

• Pendulum effect – swing down or swing back Swing

down

• Body shock from a fall

• Suspension intolerance (trauma)

Swing
back
Assess and verify competency

• Fall prevention systems are skill based activities that rely on the
competency of the individual and their ability to assess the
suitability of the equipment used
• Ensure workers undergo working at heights training
• Assess them as competent to do the task before the work
commences (Regulation 4.13 MSIR)
• Ensure workers are trained in rescue techniques, onsite rescue
equipment and emergency rescue procedures
Use the right equipment
• All harnesses, anchorages and ancillary equipment
must be designed & used in accordance with
Australian Standard 1891 Parts 1 - 4
• Ensure anchorage points are adequately strength
rated
• All permanent anchorages are to be inspected,
tested and tagged by a competent person
• Always inspect anchorages and equipment before
use. Discard/do not use if damaged
Whilst working at height

• Conduct risk assessment (eg. JSA) prior to work

• Monitor your equipment during the work
• Be aware of sharp edges, hot work, chemicals and other factors
that may cause damage to equipment
• Maintain 100 percent hook up at all times to suitable anchorage
points or anchored static lines
Whilst working at height

• Don’t overload anchorages and equipment

• If equipment is found to be unsuitable during
the task:
– Stop the work
– Reassess the risk and
– Implement more suitable control
measures
• Ensure workers are adequately supervised at
all times