PROC-010 | Working at Heights Procedure | Version 1.0 | February 2026

Purpose

To manage the risk of falls from height, which is one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in Australian workplaces.

Scope

All workers who access elevated areas at [YOUR BUSINESS NAME], including racking areas, mezzanine office, and any other elevated work.

Definition

Working at heights means any work where there is a risk of a person falling a distance that is likely to cause injury. At [YOUR BUSINESS NAME], this includes:

Accessing the mezzanine office via the internal staircase

Working near the edge of the mezzanine

Using ladders

Using order pickers or elevated work platforms near racking

Hierarchy of Controls for Falls

1. Eliminate the need to work at height (e.g., use ground-level storage)
2. Passive fall prevention (e.g., guardrails, edge protection)
3. Work positioning systems (e.g., industrial rope access)
4. Fall arrest systems (e.g., harness and lanyard)
5. Administrative controls (e.g., training, supervision)

Mezzanine Office Access

1. Use the internal staircase only. Do not climb racking or use ladders to access the mezzanine.
2. Hold the handrail when using the stairs.
3. Do not carry loads that obstruct your vision on the stairs.
4. Ensure the mezzanine edge protection (guardrail) is intact before working near the edge.

Ladder Use

See Ladder Use Procedure (PROC-011) and Ladder SOP (SOP-009).

Order Picker / Elevated Work Platform

1. Only trained and authorised workers may operate order pickers or EWPs.
2. Wear a full-body harness and connect to the anchor point when working in the elevated platform.
3. Never lean over the guardrail of the platform.
4. Never stand on the guardrail.
5. Ensure the ground area below is clear of pedestrians before elevating.

NEVER Do This

Never climb racking to retrieve goods.

Never stand on the top step of a ladder.

Never lean a ladder against racking.

Never work at height alone.

Related Documents: SOP-009, SWMS-006, PROC-011 | Legislation: WHS Regulation 2011 (Qld) Part 4.4; Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces