Working at heights checker

Choose the work, the fall height and your state to see the order of fall controls the regulations require, typical controls for the task, and whether you need a SWMS.

Figures checked 5 November 2026. Free to use, no sign-in.

Victoria and Western Australia have their own Acts; the tool switches to them.

How far could someone fall?
Is it construction work?

Building, altering, repairing, maintaining or demolishing a structure.

Fall controls

Start at the top of the order

Work on the ground or on a solid construction

You must manage the risk of any fall from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury, whatever the height (r 78 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW)). Two metres only decides whether construction work needs a SWMS.

SWMS: required.

Order of controls

  1. Work on the ground or on a solid construction. Eliminate the fall risk where reasonably practicable (r 78(3)).
  2. A fall prevention device. For example edge protection, a secure fence, a working platform or covers (r 79(3)(a)).
  3. A work positioning system. Plant or a structure (other than a temporary work platform) that positions and safely supports the worker at the work location for the task (r 79(3)(b)).
  4. A fall arrest system. For example an industrial safety net, catch platform or harness system, with emergency and rescue procedures in place (r 79(3)(c), r 80).

Ladders, safe work procedures and training are part of the safe system of work at every step, not a substitute for the controls above.

Typical controls for this work

Do what you can from the ground (prefabricate, use extendable tools). On the roof, install perimeter edge protection and fix covers or mesh over skylights and fragile sheeting. Harness-based fall arrest comes last, with anchors rated for the load and a rescue plan.

Source: r 78–80 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2025 (NSW).

  • This is construction work with a fall risk of more than 2 metres, so it is high risk construction work and needs a SWMS before it starts (r 291 and r 299).

General information, not legal or safety advice. Get a competent person to plan the controls for your site.

How this works

WHS Regulations (all states and territories except Victoria, plus Comcare): r 78 requires you to manage the risk of any fall reasonably likely to cause injury, starting with working on the ground or a solid construction. If that isn’t reasonably practicable, r 79 sets the order: a fall prevention device, then a work positioning system, then a fall arrest system. r 80 adds emergency and rescue procedures for fall arrest systems.

Victoria: Part 3.3 of the OHS Regulations 2017 applies to falls of more than 2 metres, with its own order of controls in r 44 ending with ladders or administrative controls. Falls of 2 metres or less are managed under the general duties in the OHS Act.

SWMS: construction work with a fall risk of more than 2 metres is high risk construction work everywhere. If you answer unsure for the height or whether it is construction work, the tool asks you to confirm rather than assuming a SWMS is needed.

Legal basis

Checked against these sources on 5 November 2026. Spotted a figure that looks wrong? Tell us.

Questions

Do fall rules only apply above 2 metres?

Not under the model WHS Regulations: the duty covers any fall from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury. Two metres is the point where construction work becomes high risk construction work needing a SWMS. In Victoria the falls regulations apply above 2 metres, and lower falls are covered by the employer’s general duties in the OHS Act.

Is a harness enough?

Only if nothing higher in the order is reasonably practicable. A harness is a fall arrest system, which comes after working on the ground or a solid construction, fall prevention devices such as guardrails, and work positioning systems. If you use one, you also need emergency and rescue procedures.

Can workers use a ladder?

Yes, for suitable tasks, but it is a low-order control. Check whether a platform, mobile scaffold or elevating work platform is reasonably practicable first, and make sure the ladder suits the task, its duration and is set up correctly.

Who needs a high risk work licence?

Anyone erecting, altering or dismantling scaffolding where a person or thing could fall more than 4 metres, and anyone operating a boom-type elevating work platform with a boom of 11 metres or more.

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