Falling objects are a leading cause of death and serious injury in the construction industry, and often pose risks to the general public in streets that are adjacent to sites. Even a relatively light and small object (e.g. nuts and bolts) can cause serious or fatal injuries when it hits a person from height.

WorkSafe inspectors will visit construction sites in February to ensure duty holders are controlling the risk of falling objects associated with construction work, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Construction equipment (e.g. hand tools) and materials (e.g. scaffolding tubes and timber) often fall from height due to:

• Gaps between perimeter safety screens or holes in safety netting/mesh where works are occurring
• Missing toe/kick boards on scaffolding
• Materials falling from machinery or while loads are being lifted
• Materials being stored close to edges or left unsecured
• Materials being blown from structures by wind
• Materials or tools being knocked or dropped.

Members are urged to consider ways to address the risk of falling objects before projects commence.

Risk control measures that prevent objects from falling in the first place are generally more reliable than control measures which are only effective after an object has fallen.

Members can engage the services of the Master Builders OHS team to inspect their sites before WorkSafe’s inspectors arrive. Member can call the OHS Unit on (03) 9411 4569 for any OHS-related inquiries.