03 — Falls and Heights
The generic falls code. Applies to any workplace — warehouses, retail, maintenance, utilities — not just construction. Use it for non-housing fall situations, and as the reference when you need the cross-industry hierarchy and the rescue-plan logic.
For housing-specific falls (Class 1a/1b/10 dwellings), use [[falls_in_housing_construction]] in §02.
Topics in this section
| Topic | One-liner |
|---|---|
| [[managing_risk_of_falls]] | The 6-level fall hierarchy applied to any workplace; edge protection specs; scaffold inspection cadence; EWPs; fall arrest with mandatory rescue plan; ladder rules. |
When to use this section
- Non-housing fall situations: warehouse mezzanine, plant maintenance, fitouts on existing buildings, multi-storey commercial.
- When you need the rescue-plan content (suspension trauma, equipment, training).
- When you need the cross-industry hierarchy summarised in one place.
- For the generic edge-protection / scaffold / EWP spec table.
Related sections
- §02 [[02 - Construction Work/_section_overview|Construction Work]] — site-specific application, including housing-construction falls.
- §04 Plant & Electrical (Phase 3) — EWPs and licensing.
- §01 [[01 - Foundations/_section_overview|Foundations]] — the underlying risk-management process.
Notes on currency
- Source: October 2018 SWA model edition; current as at 2026-04-27.
- From 1 July 2026: complying with this Code (or equivalent/higher) becomes a positive duty.