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Under Managing risk of falls at workplaces · made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011

PCBU Duty: Hierarchy of Controls for Fall Risks

Code version as at 20 Mar 2020 From Managing risk of falls at workplaces, no changes tracked yet
High severity
FEDERAL · Duty / Obligation Managing risk of falls at workplaces > PCBU Duties § 3–5
The obligation
PCBUs must apply a hierarchy of controls — ground-level work, solid construction, fall prevention device, work positioning, then fall arrest — to manage fall risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
A PCBU must, so far as is reasonably practicable: (1) ensure work involving fall risk is carried out on the ground or solid construction; (2) provide safe means of access and egress; (3) where a fall risk remains, minimise it by providing a fall prevention device (e.g. edge protection, guardrails), then a work positioning system, then a fall arrest system. This hierarchy mirrors the WHS Regulations and the code's five-level control structure. …
What
PCBUs must apply a hierarchy of controls — ground-level work, solid construction, fall prevention device, work positioning, then fall arrest — to manage fall risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
Source
safeworkaustralia.gov.au

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PCBU hierarchy of controls fall prevention reasonably practicable
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Frequently asked questions

Which WHS law does this come from?

PCBU Duty: Hierarchy of Controls for Fall Risks is a WHS requirement set out in Managing risk of falls at workplaces (FEDERAL). It is made under Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (FEDERAL). The relevant provision is Managing risk of falls at workplaces > PCBU Duties § 3–5.

What does this WHS obligation require?

PCBU Duty: Hierarchy of Controls for Fall Risks is a WHS obligation under Managing risk of falls at workplaces (FEDERAL). In short, PCBUs must apply a hierarchy of controls — ground-level work, solid construction, fall prevention device, work positioning, then fall arrest — to manage fall risk so far as is reasonably practicable.

What changed recently?

PCBU Duty: Hierarchy of Controls for Fall Risks was last updated on 26 August 2026.

Where this sits

Managing risk of falls at workplaces Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Federal Australia

About this Topic

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First seenAug 2026