Permanent balustrading is the finished product which protects homeowners and end-users from falling from heights.

Until permanent balustrading is installed, builders and contractors must ensure that temporary balustrading (edge protection) is in place, to prevent employees from falling. Depending on the location of the balcony and the work that is due to take place from this area, objects falling from height are another risk that may need to be identified and suitably controlled.

When it is time to install the permanent balustrading employees may be exposed to the risk of falling if the task is not adequately planned. This usually occurs when the temporary balustrading is removed, and another risk control is not implemented throughout the permanent balustrading installation.

Work at heights where there is risk of falling two or more metres, in a construction context, is High Risk Construction Work (HRCW). It is the employer’s duty to ensure that the high risk construction work is not commenced until a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) has been prepared, reviewed and signed off by the relevant parties.

The employer must consult with its employees in the creation of the SWMS.

The principal contractor should obtain a copy of the SWMS and, as a minimum, keep it for the duration of the high risk construction work. Master Builders Victoria recommends the principal contractor reviews SWMSs prior to the commencement of the high-risk construction work. If a SWMS is deemed as being unsatisfactory, the principal contractor should not allow the high-risk construction work to proceed until its contractor has reviewed and revised the SWMS.

Some pragmatic steps to ensure effective risk controls are in place during the installation of the permanent balustrading may include, but is not limited to:

• Installing the permanent balustrading whilst the temporary balustrading is still in place;
• Partially decommissioning the temporary balustrading, whilst installing the permanent balustrading, sequentially;
• Installing the balustrading using a work position system (harness); and
• Erecting a scaffold to adjoin the end of the permanent structure.