Under the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022 [WHS General Regulations], duty holders are required to manage the risk of falls at workplaces, as prescribed by the following regulations:
- Regulation 78 Management of risk of fall
- Regulations 79 Specific requirements to minimise risk of fall
- Regulation 79A Duties of certain persons as to holes or openings in floors
- Regulation 80 Emergency and rescue procedures.
Transitional arrangements
The work health and safety laws came into effect on 31 March 2022. Transitional arrangements apply to high risk construction work and the mining industry.
High risk construction work in general industry
Regulation 79 of the WHS General Regulations came into effect from 1 October 2026. Regulation 79 provides duty holders with specific requirements to minimise the risk of a fall including the use of fall prevention devices and the maintenance of safe systems of work. Regulation 79 does not prescribe a height.
Until the close of 30 September 2026, regulation 3.55 of the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations 1996 continues to apply to prevent falls in high risk construction work. Regulation 3.55 specifies the control measures that are to be applied when there is a risk of a fall of two metres or more from the edge of specific structures, such as scaffolds, or three metres or more from any other edge.
For more information see Statement of regulatory intent: Regulatory approach to falls from heights in high risk construction work.
Resources and guidance
WorkSafe
- Managing the risk of falls at workplaces: Code of practice
- Managing the risk of falls in housing construction: Code of practice
- Working at height in underground mines: Guideline
- Managing the risk of falls at workplaces: Information sheet
- Managing the risks of falls from roofs in the housing construction industry: Information sheet
- Safe work method statement for high risk construction work: Information sheet