Safety Alert: Temporary Edge Protection Systems under the spotlight

Falls from height remain one of the most significant risks in the construction industry, and recent incidents involving temporary edge protection systems serve as a timely reminder that these controls must be properly designed, installed and maintained to provide effective protection.

SafeWork NSW has recently reported an increase in incidents involving temporary edge protection systems, including several cases where workers fell from roofs following the failure or collapse of edge protection. Reported incidents included falls of more than nine metres and multiple falls from residential construction projects where inadequate or non-designed systems were in use.

What are the risks?

Where edge protection systems are not fit for purpose, workers can be exposed to serious hazards, including:

• Falls from height
• Falling objects
• Collapse or failure of the temporary edge protection system itself

These risks can result in serious injury or fatality and reinforce the importance of ensuring edge protection is robust, compliant and suitable for the specific work being undertaken.

Key considerations for builders and contractors

SafeWork NSW reminds PCBUs, site managers, designers, manufacturers, installers and workers that temporary edge protection systems must be appropriately managed throughout the project lifecycle. Careful planning, risk assessment and documented installation procedures are essential to ensuring worker safety.

Members should ensure that:

• Temporary edge protection systems are designed, manufactured and tested by a competent person.
• Systems are installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
• Components are not substituted with unapproved materials or fittings.
• The roof structure, supporting surfaces and anchor points are assessed before installation.
• Edge protection is reviewed and adjusted as site activities change to maintain adequate protection and minimise gaps.

Australian Standards Matter

SafeWork NSW advises that it is reasonably practicable to comply with:

• AS/NZS 4994.1 Temporary Edge Protection – General Requirements
• AS/NZS 4994.2 Temporary Edge Protection – Installation and Dismantling

These standards provide guidance on design performance, installation requirements and the ongoing management of edge protection systems.

A Reminder for ACT Builders

While this alert originates from NSW, the lessons are directly relevant to ACT residential and commercial construction projects. Temporary edge protection should never be viewed as a “set and forget” control. Regular inspection, competent installation and ongoing monitoring are critical to ensuring workers remain protected from falls throughout the construction process.

Master Builders ACT encourages members to review their current fall prevention arrangements, ensure Safe Work Method Statements are up to date, and verify that any temporary edge protection systems used on site meet the relevant standards and manufacturer requirements.

A proactive approach today could prevent a serious incident tomorrow.

For more information, refer to the SafeWork NSW Safety Alert: Temporary Edge Protection System and review your site’s fall prevention controls and procedures

📞(02) 6175 5900
📧 workplace@mba.org.au