Falls from height toolbox talk
Read it out at the pre-start or a toolbox meeting, talk through the questions, and have everyone sign on. It's built from our falls from height page and the 398 SafetyDocs templates that cover it.
- Site
- Date
- Presented by
What it is
People falling from one level to another, such as from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, edges or openings.
Controls to check, most effective first
- Do as much work as possible on the ground or a solid construction, such as prefabricating and lifting items into place.
- Prevent falls with guardrails, scaffolds, elevated work platforms or secured covers over penetrations and openings.
- Where edges cannot be protected, use a travel restraint system that stops workers reaching a point where they could fall.
- Use fall-arrest systems only when higher controls are not reasonably practicable, with suitable anchors, trained users and a rescue plan.
- Choose ladders suited to the task, set them on firm ground and keep three points of contact while climbing.
Where it comes up on the job
Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with falls from height:
- Implement a Falls Emergency Rescue PlanPut a falls rescue plan in placeFrom Antenna Satellite Dish Installation
- Working at height on ladders, trestles, mobile scaffold, fixed scaffold & openingsWork safely from ladders, trestles and scaffold, and protect openingsFrom Brick Cleaning
- Working at height on ladders, trestles & mobile scaffoldSet up and use ladders, trestles and mobile scaffolds safelyFrom Audio Visual Installation
- Working at height on laddersSet up and use ladders safelyFrom Electrical New Installation
- Working at height on ladders & trestlesSet up and use ladders and trestles safelyFrom Partitioning Steel-Stud-Track
Questions for the crew
- Where could falls from height come up on this job today?
- Is any of this work on today's job: Implement a Falls Emergency Rescue Plan; Working at height on ladders, trestles, mobile scaffold, fixed scaffold & openings; Working at height on ladders, trestles & mobile scaffold?
- The most effective control is: “Do as much work as possible on the ground or a solid construction, such as prefabricating and lifting items into place”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
- Which controls for falls from height are missing or not working on this site?
- When would you stop work because of falls from height, and who would you tell?
- How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?
Sign-on record
Everyone who attended signs below. Keep it with your toolbox talk records.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
A starting point for a talk, not a SWMS or a risk assessment. Add what's particular to your site and crew.