Falls

Falls make up 22% of general workplace accidents, and the percentage is even higher on building sites. People can fall off platforms, ladders, rigging, scaffolding, roofs and through penetrations (holes in floors).

Given this, an owner builder must pay special attention where his or her project will involve people working at a height of more than 1.8 metres.

Possible control measures may include:

Guardrails should be used, and be solid, securely fixed and one metre high. They must be put up wherever a person may be able to fall a distance of 1.8 metres or more (other than excavations).
Where guardrails are not practicable, and people are working at heights of 1.8 metres or more, workers should use a safety harness, safety net or other system to prevent falls.
Floor penetrations (holes in floors) must be securely covered - and workers should never walk backwards. Safety footwear with good tread prevents dangerous slips and slides.
People affected by drugs or alcohol should not come to work - they endanger themselves and others.

Checklist for owner builders:

(a) Do workers on the site wear safety footwear with a good tread so they don't slip or slide?

(b) Do people working at heights wear a safety harness?

(d) Are there one metre high handrails wherever there is a drop of more than 1.8m?

For more general safety obligations of owner builders, CLICK HERE.