How Australian Businesses Can Improve Work at Height Safety and Stay WHS Compliant

Wetherill Park, Australia – July 8, 2026 / RISSafety /

WETHERILL PARK, NSW, 6 July 2026 — RISSafety, Australia’s leading height safety provider, is reinforcing the importance of practical, site-specific work at height safety controls as businesses across construction, manufacturing, transport, warehousing, facilities management and government operations review their fall prevention obligations.

The renewed focus follows national WHS data showing falls from height remain one of Australia’s leading causes of workplace fatalities. For PCBUs, asset owners and facility managers, the message is clear: work at height safety cannot be managed through paperwork alone. It requires a practical understanding of how workers and contractors access roofs, platforms, ladders, mezzanines, building edges and other elevated areas.

Through its national network, RISSafety supports organisations with site inspections, compliant system design, installation, training and ongoing inspection and recertification. Its latest work at height guidance outlines how effective fall prevention depends on clear risk assessments, appropriate controls, fit-for-purpose equipment, maintenance records and emergency planning.

“Work at height safety is not just a matter of having a harness available,” said a RISSafety spokesperson. “The safest outcomes come from understanding the task, the access route, the structure and the people using the system. Where possible, permanent engineered controls such as guardrails, walkways, fixed ladders and horizontal lifelines can make safe access more consistent and reduce reliance on behaviour alone.”

RISSafety’s approach aligns with the hierarchy of control, prioritising the elimination or minimisation of fall risks wherever reasonably practicable. For sites requiring recurring roof access, this can include fixed access ladders, roof walkway systems, anchor point systems, static lines, guardrails, platforms and bespoke access solutions designed around each building’s layout and maintenance requirements.

The company also highlights the role of ongoing inspection and documentation in maintaining compliance confidence. Installed height safety systems can be affected by weather exposure, corrosion, usage, building changes and evolving standards, making scheduled inspections and recertification essential for sites with frequent contractor access or multiple elevated work zones.

For many organisations, the biggest risk is not a complete absence of safety controls, but a mismatch between the control and the real work being performed. RISSafety recommends reviewing each work at height task by asking whether access can be made permanent, whether workers can be kept away from edges and fragile surfaces, whether PFPE is compatible and correctly rated, and whether rescue procedures are practical if a fall occurs.

By helping businesses connect engineered systems with practical training and clear records, RISSafety aims to support safer, more repeatable height safety outcomes across Australian worksites.

Organisations needing to review roof access, fall prevention systems or compliance documentation can contact RISSafety for a site-specific assessment and practical recommendations.

About RISSafety

RISSafety is Australia’s leading height safety provider with national branch infrastructure supporting clients across Australia, New Zealand and overseas. The company designs, manufactures and distributes tested, standards-compliant height safety products and provides practical solutions for height safety, confined space and rope access applications.

Media Contact

RISSafety

Phone: +61 2 8781 2100

Website: https://rissafety.com.au/