This procedure will ensure that the risk of injury associated with Work at Height in University activities is eliminated or minimised, with particular focus on the risk of falls.
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
- Prevention of falls in general construction, WorkSafe Victoriacompliance code, December 2019
A list of definitions relevant to this procedure is contained within the Health and Safety Policy. A further list of definitions specifically relevant to this procedure is included below:
Term | Definition |
Authorised Work at Height Supervisor |
(For University staff and contractors employed in building and construction trades.) A person who has been assessed by a Coordinator or Manager of Federation University’s Property and Infrastructure to have the competencies and authority to review and approve Work at Height Permits under this Procedure. (For other University staff and students.) An employee of the University who has been assessed by a Coordinator or Manager of Federation University’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Department to have the competencies and authority to review and approve Work at Height Permits under this Procedure. |
Fall hazard | The potential for a person to fall more than two metres. Such a fall may occur from a height greater than two metres, but also down a pit or shaft deeper than two metres. |
Work at height | Any task that an employee, contractor or student undertakes in the context of occupational, educational, research, commercial, or other University-endorsed activities, whatever the location, where a fall hazard has been identified. Sporting activities and theatrical performances are not included within the scope of the Work at Height Procedure. However: • whilst the sporting activities and theatrical performances themselves are not included, all work at height associated with setting up, maintaining, and dismantling sporting equipment, theatrical props, lighting, etc., is included; and • the general requirement for HIRAC reviews as described in the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control (HIRAC) Procedure still applies if any hazard, such as a fall hazard, is present in the sporting or theatrical performance. |
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Planning Work at Height | Supervisor/Manager in charge of any person planning to perform Work at Height |
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ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Gaining authorisation to perform Work at Height | Authorised Work at Height Supervisor |
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B. | Safely performing work at height | Supervisor/Manager in charge of any person performing Work at Height |
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University employees, contractors and students performing Work at Height |
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C. | Completing Work at Height | Supervisor/Manager in charge of any person performing Work at Height |
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Authorised Work at Height Supervisor |
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- Health and Safety Policy
- Hazard Identification, RiskAssessment and Control (HIRAC) Procedure
- Safe Work Method Statement - SWMS (for Contractors)
- Safe Work Method Statement - SWMS (for Staff and Students)
Forms
- Safe Work Method Statement for Contractors (DOCX 180.4kb)
- Safe Work Method Statement for Staff and Students (DOCX 180.2kb)
- Work at Height Permit (DOCX 167.6kb)
- The University Health and Safety Policy Committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this procedure.
- The Head – Health, Safety and Wellbeing is responsible for maintaining the content of this procedure as delegated by the Health and Safety Policy Committee.
The Work at Height Procedure will be communicated throughout the University community in the form of:
- an Announcement Notice via FedNews website and on the ‘Recently Approved Documents’ page on the ‘Policies, Procedures and Forms @ the University’ website; and
- an email to the Director and Managers of Property and Infrastructure.
The Work at Height Procedure will be implemented throughout the University via an Announcement Notice via:
- an Announcement Notice via FedNews website and on the ‘Recently Approved Documents’ page on the ‘Policies, Procedures and Forms @ the University’ website; and
- an email to the Director and Managers of Property and Infrastructure.
Document Title | Location | Responsible Officer | Minimum Retention Period |
Work at Height Permit |
School/Directorate/College/Centre of staff or students who performed the Work at Height Property and Infrastructure for trades staff and contractors |
Dean/Director | Destroy seven (7) years after work has been completed |
Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) |
School/Directorate/College/Centre of staff or students who performed the Work at Height Property and Infrastructure for trades staff and contractors |
Dean/Director | Destroy seven (7) years after analysis was undertaken |