Working at heights

  • Working at heights is a high risk activity, and a leading cause of death and serious injury in Australia. 

In the agriculture industry, common examples of when falls from height may occur include:

  • when agricultural buildings or other farm structures are being built or maintained
  • from silos, railings and pens 
  • when using agricultural machinery, such as harvesters or trucks, and
  • while doing tree work (including when using elevated work platforms for fruit-picking or banana bagging).
PCBUs: Workers:

As a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you have a duty to keep yourself, your workers and your workplace safe from risks associated with working at heights. You must eliminate or minimise risks so far as is reasonably practicable. You must also provide safe ways to enter and exit a workplace, including any areas with a risk of a fall. 

Where possible, you must ensure work is carried out on the ground or a solid construction.  If that’s not possible you must provide and maintain a safe system of work to provide adequate protection from falls. 

Your PCBU has a duty to keep you and your workplace safe from risks associated with working at heights. You also have a duty to take reasonable care of your safety and that of others in the workplace.

Where possible, work should be carried out on the ground or a solid construction.  If that’s not possible your PCBU must provide and maintain a safe system of work to provide adequate protection from falls. 

High risk construction work 

PCBUs: Workers:

If you are doing construction work (for example, constructing or maintaining farm buildings) where there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres, you must prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). 

If you are doing construction work (for example, constructing or maintaining farm buildings) where there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres, your PCBU must prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS). 

See Part 4.4 of the model WHS Regulations for more information. 

Case study: Silo fall
A grain farmer received serious injuries when he fell approximately 10 metres from the top of a silo. New silos had just been installed at the property and a witness report indicates that the farmer was releasing the lid on the first silo when he attempted to jump to the second silo and fell.​

Incidents of falls when moving between two silos can be prevented by providing safe elevated access between the silos, such as a fixed walkway with suitable guardrails or enclosure. Alternately, the silos should be positioned far enough apart that jumping between them is not possible.

For more information:

  • Did you know

    The WHS regulator in your state or territory can provide practical advice, resources and tools to help you be safe when working in agriculture. They can also let you know which WHS laws apply to you.