Working at Heights Reference Information

Haz-Ed

2 October 2025

This post serves as a reference to sources of information relevant to working at heights, mostly from SAI Global Limited (saiglobal.com)

It is not meant to be all-inclusive, and readers should be aware that any links provided online may become outdated at any time, and that newly published information may not be included here.

Any guidance or information on haz-ed.com.au or in publications published by SAI Global Limited is meant for users who will assess its importance, take its limits into account, and be accountable for its use and implementation.

Haz-ed.com.au compiled the information in this material from sources that are already in the public domain. Although this is meant to offer guidance, it cannot be taken as advice as it does not interpret and apply the law to specific situations.

Australian Standards and Australian/New Zealand Standards

AS 1418.13 Cranes (including hoists and winches) – Building maintenance units

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=226299

AS/NZS 1576 Scaffolding – General requirements

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=1391358

Outlines the specifications for the construction and operation of scaffolding, with the exception of trestle scaffolding, portable ladders used as work platforms, and elevating work platforms.

AS/NZS 1657 Fixed platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders—Design, construction and installation

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=1694271

Sets out the rules for how fixed platforms, walkways, stairs, and ladders should be designed, chosen, built, and set up so that workers who operate, maintain, or service them can do so safely.

AS/NZS 1891.1 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices—Harnesses and ancillary equipment

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=362326

Outlines the requirements for the materials, design, production, and testing of industrial fall-arrest equipment such as harnesses, lanyards, pole straps, and other related items including connected devices and personal energy absorbers used in the workplace.

Scope

This Standard covers the rules that must be observed in producing and testing harnesses, lanyards, pole straps, and other safety gear, like connecting devices and personal energy absorbers used for fall-arrest and industrial restraint.

AS/NZS 1891.2 supp:1-2001 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices—Horizontal lifeline and rail systems

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=362364

Abstract

Explains how systems and hardware parts for horizontal lifelines and rails used for fall protection should be designed and how they should work. The Standard applies to devices that use either rigid rails or flexible lines. Refer to the appendices for the test methods. 

Scope

This Standard shares how to build and assess the performance of systems and hardware parts for horizontal lifelines and rails used for fall-arrest purposes. The Standard applies to devices that use either rigid rails or flexible lines. You can find the different test methods in the appendices section.

NOTE:  AS/NZS 1891.2 Supplement 1 lists the recommended layouts for horizontal lifelines that are deemed compliant.

AS/NZS 1891.3 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices—Fall-arrest devices

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=362372

Abstract

Explains how fall-arrest devices should be made and assessed, including those that move down a fixed or flexible anchorage line and devices that pay out an anchorage line.

Scope 

This Standard sets rules for the design and operation of fall-arrest devices. This includes devices that move along a fixed or flexible anchorage line and devices that pay out an anchorage line.

AS/NZS 1891.4 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices—Selection, use and maintenance

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=1144766

Abstract

Explains how to select, use, and maintain industrial fall-arrest systems and devices in the workplace safely. This includes safety harnesses, horizontal lifelines and rails, fall-arrest devices, and the lanyards, connectors, anchorages, and fittings that go with them.

Scope

This Standard covers requirements and recommendations on how to choose, use, and keep up with fall-arrest systems and devices in the workplace safely, based on the use of safety harnesses, horizontal lifelines and rails, fall-arrest devices, and the lanyards, connectors, anchorages, and fittings that go with them.

(a) Selection requirements and suggestions in identifying parts of the system most suitable for the intended application.

(b) Safe use of the requirements and suggestions related to using the parts and systems safely.

(c) Upkeep standards and suggestions during inspection, storage, service, and cleaning.

NOTE: This Standard offers guidance on how to choose the right equipment and follow safe use procedures for some types of height protection, but not for all types of height protection or all situations where they are used.

This Standard doesn’t include information on choosing and using equipment for total restraint or rope access (see AS/NZS 4488.2 for ideas on how to choose and safely deploy rope access equipment).

AS/NZS 1892 Portable ladders series

AS/NZS 1892.1:1996 Portable ladders – Metal

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=362399

AS 1892.2-1992 Portable ladders – Timber

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=252265

AS/NZS 1892.3:1996 Portable ladders – Reinforced plastic

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=362408

AS/NZS 1892.5:2000 Portable ladders – Selection, safe use and care

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=362416

AS/NZS 4142.3 Fibre ropes—Man-made fibre rope for static life rescue lines

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=311234

Abstract 

Explains how man-made fiber ropes should be designed, how they should work, and how they should be marked as static life rescue lines for rescue and emergency services.

Scope

This Standard details how life rescue organisations should build, test, and mark man-made fiber ropes with a sheath and a core that they use as static life rescue lines.

NOTE: In this Standard, “static” refers to the construction and performance of a rope, not its usage.

1.1 SCOPE This Standard states how man-made fiber ropes with a sheath and core should be made, how they should perform, and how they should be marked so that can be used as static life rescue lines by rescue organisations.

AS/NZS 4389 Safety mesh

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=382019

Abstract

Lays out the basic standards for designing, building, testing, and installing safety mesh that can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Scope

The purpose of this Standard is to set the minimum requirements for designing, building, testing, and installing safety mesh that can be used in homes, businesses, and industrial settings.

NOTE: Alternative methods for determining compliance with this Standard can be found in Appendix A.

AS/NZS 4488 Industrial rope access systems series

AS/NZS 4488.1:1997 Industrial rope access systems – Specifications

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=384108

Abstract

Explains the materials and hardware required for industrial rope access systems, including fall protection.

Scope

This Standard details the materials and hardware needed for industrial rope access systems, including fall protection.

AS/NZS 4488.2:1997 Industrial rope access systems – Selection, use and maintenance

http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/Details.aspx?ProductID=384126

Abstract

Specifies requirements and sets out recommendations for the selection, safe use and maintenance of industrial rope access system components and assemblies.

Scope

This Standard specifies requirements and sets out recommendations for the selection, safe use and maintenance of industrial rope access system components and assemblies, as follows:

(a) Selection Aspects to be taken into account in determining the types of components of the system which would be appropriate to the envisaged usage.

(b) Safe use Requirements and recommendations relating to the safe practices to be followed in the use of components and assemblies.

(c) Maintenance Essential inspection, storage, and cleaning practices which are required or should be observed.

Performance requirements for the components of an industrial rope access system are given in AS/NZS 4488.1.

AS/NZS 4488.2 Industrial rope access systems—Selection, use and maintenance

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=384126

Abstract

Lists the requirements and offers advice on how to choose, use, and maintain components and assemblies of an industrial rope access system safely.

Scope

This Standard explains the rules and shares recommendations on how to choose, use, and take care of different parts and sections of an industrial rope access system.

(a) Factors to consider when choosing the right system parts for their intended use.

(b) Rules and suggestions on using parts and systems safely.

(c) Inspection, storage, and cleaning procedures that must be followed.

Performance requirements for the components of an industrial rope access system are given in AS/NZS 4488.1.

Application
The requirements and recommendations given in this Standard are intended to apply only to rope suspension work (see Preface). It is not intended to apply to any of the following:

(a) Persons engaged in rescue operations where such operations are their primary job occupation.

(b) Emergency services.

(c) Recreational activities, including paid workers such as guides and instructors involved in such activities.

(d) Other rope access work such as lead climbing or under-deck work.

AS/NZS 4576 Guidelines for scaffolding

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=385128

Abstract

This article provides useful information on training and certifying scaffolders, getting work sites ready for scaffolding, as well as choosing, supplying, setting up, changing, dismantling, maintaining, inspecting, and using scaffolding and scaffolding tools safely.

Scope

This Standard shares how to safely select, supply, set up, modify, dismantle, check, maintain, and use scaffolding and scaffolding equipment. It also includes practical guidance in certifying scaffolders and preparing job sites for scaffolding.

AS 2550.16 Cranes—Safe Use—Mast climbing work platforms

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=276361

Abstract

Explains how to safely use mast climbing work platforms, as described in AS 2549. It contains sections on suggested site use criteria, site-specific considerations, information for the supplier, the site for erection, erection modifications and dismantling, commission testing and handover, operation and inspection testing and repair, and handover and operation testing. The appendices contain information on hazards,  site inspection checklist, handover certificate, record of training, operating directions, logbook format, and an inspection and test format. It is meant to be used with AS 2550.1 and AS 1418.16, which describe how mast climbing work platforms should be built.

Scope

The purpose of this Standard is to provide useful information on how to select, supply, set up, modify, disassemble, commission, maintain, examine, and safely use mast climbing work platforms. It is complementary to AS 2550.1, but the requirements in this document take precedence over the requirements in AS 2550.1.

Application

This Standard applies to the safe use of MCWP, as described in AS 1418.16. The requirements in that Standard will be followed, and none of the requirements in this document shall circumvent them.

AS/NZS 4994 Temporary edge protection series

AS/NZS 4994.1 Temporary edge protection – General requirements

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=1137929

Abstract

This section describes the requirements that must be observed when designing, producing, and testing equipment that is meant to protect workers at the edge of the roof while they install, modify, fix, or remove cladding on homes and other residential buildings with roof slopes of no more than 35° to the horizontal.

Scope

This Standard lays out the rules for how equipment should be designed, constructed, and tested so that people working on roofs of buildings with slopes of no more than 35° to the horizontal and other exposed edges are safe until the permanent walling materials are put up.

NOTES:

1. This Standard does not apply to the containment of materials on residential roofs.

2. Edge protection is used on buildings that are being constructed, renovated, extended, altered or maintained.

3. Where roof slopes exceed 35 degrees, roof edge protection should be specifically designed. In some instances, it may be appropriate that some other form of restraint may be required to avoid risk of excessive impact.

4. Refer to AS/NZS 4494.2 for the requirements in installing and dismantling roof edge protection.

5. Refer to AS/NZS 4494.3 for the requirements in installing and dismantling edge protection of other edges prior to the installation of the permanent walling materials.

Application

Persons using this Standard are advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant specific statutory requirements regarding occupational health and safety legislation, scaffolding and working at heights.

NOTES:

1 In Australia, housing and residential buildings are considered to be of not more than three habitable storeys, based on Classes 1, 2 and 10 of the Building Code of Australia (BCA).

2 In New Zealand, such buildings within the definition of a housing unit are as per the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC).

AS/NZS 4994.2 Temporary edge protection – Roof edge protection – Installation and dismantling

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=1139884

Abstract

Sets out requirements and gives guidance for the selection, installation, use and dismantling of roof edge protection for housing and residential buildings.

Scope

This Standard specifies requirements and gives guidance for the selection, installation, use and dismantling of roof edge protection complying with AS/NZS 4994.1. It covers temporary roof edge protection for persons working on roofs of housing and residential buildings and commercial buildings having roof slopes of not greater than 35° to the horizontal.

NOTE: This document is not a substitute for any Standard applying to scaffolding.

Application

Persons using this Standard are advised to familiarize themselves with the specific statutory requirements of States and Territories of Australia and New Zealand regarding occupational health and safety legislation, scaffolding and working at heights.

Users are reminded to check if the relevant legislation contains a requirement to also control the risks associated with falling objects.

AS/NZS 4994.3 Temporary edge protection – Installation and dismantling for edges other than roof edges

https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store/details.aspx?ProductID=1383618

Scope

This Standard specifies requirements and gives guidance for the selection and installation of edge protection complying with AS/NZS 4994.1, for persons working near an opening in a floor, or near a platform edge or floor edge prior to the installation of the permanent walling materials.

NOTES:

1 Edge protection is used on buildings that are being constructed, renovated, extended, altered or maintained.

2 Part 2 of this Standard specifies requirements for the installation and dismantling of roof edge protection.

Application

Persons using this Standard are advised to familiarize themselves with specific statutory requirements of States, Territories and New Zealand regarding OH & S legislation, scaffolding and working at heights.

NOTES: Users are reminded to check if the relevant legislation contains a requirement to also control the risks associated with falling objects.