Page 98 - RIIWHS204E Learner Guide

RIIWHS204E-Work safely at heights

CHANGED WORK PRACTICES AND SITE CONDITIONS

You may need to make adjustments to control measures if work practices or site
conditions change. Changes may include alterations to the layout or physical conditions. This
includes any changes to the nature, size, and layout of the workplace and the duration
of the job.

Any revisions in the type of work to be done and the number and movement of people
must also be considered. This is essential to determine whether any other equipment or
workers nearby could interfere with any fall prevention measures put in place.

If any conditions at the site change for example; available light, sloping surfaces, power
lines, or trees and if access to the site is altered including how you get to the site can also
require a change to the risk control measures in place.

UNDERTAKE ALTERATIONS
Changes to the work practices and/ or site conditions may require alterations to the
control measures in place. A reassessment must take place and documented in the
SWMS. The first priority is to eliminate the risk and ensure a fall from height cannot
occur.

When these alterations are made, persons in control of a construction project or
construction work where there is a risk that someone undertaking construction work
could fall 2 meters or more must ensure that:

 Hazards, including hazards other than fall hazards, have been identified

 Where reasonably practicable, physical fall prevention is provided
 Other hazards have been controlled, and

 After a risk assessment has identified what controls are needed, a SWMS

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detailing the control measures to be used is developed for the work.

Once the new hazards or changed hazards have been identified, you need to control
them as far as is reasonably practicable. The 5 level hierarchy is aimed at:
 Eliminating the working at height hazard (i.e. Falls or falling objects – level 1)

 Isolating people from the working at height hazard (level 2)

 Minimizing the distance and impact of the fall (Levels 3-5).

33 https://www.safework.sa.gov.au/industry/construction/safe-work-method-statements

Kangaroo Training Institute Pty Ltd Version2. 102
RIIWHS204E-Worksafelyatheights