Understanding the Risks
The construction industry carries a significant responsibility to maintain safe, sustainable, and compliant working conditions. In response to serious incidents, regulatory bodies continue to introduce and promote changes, requiring construction companies to remain vigilant and adaptable. This highlights the ongoing importance of staying informed through the latest WHS Update. Common factors contributing to incidents include unsafe or cluttered work surfaces, poor lighting or weather conditions, tools, materials, or debris falling from above, and materials that are not structurally sound.
Working at heights and the risk of falling objects remain critical safety issues that must be carefully assessed and managed. Failure to control these risks can have devastating consequences for the lives and physical wellbeing of construction workers.
In response to these risks, WorkSafe Queensland has launched a campaign focused on falling‑object management. Additionally, WorkSafe South Australia has announced updates to high‑risk construction work regulations effective from July 2026, reducing the height threshold from three metres to two metres to align with other states.
Do you want to read more legal updates?
Find out more about the latest legislation and regulations updates in our latest blog:
Why this campaign matters
This campaign is important because it directly protects people. In addition, it strengthens businesses and ensures organisations meet their legal and ethical responsibilities, particularly in high‑risk industries like construction.
Some ways to reduce the risk and stay safe include:
- Reducing work at heights wherever possible.
- Using fall‑prevention systems such as scaffolds, guardrails, and EWPs.
- Preventing falling‑object incidents through exclusion zones, containment measures, and good housekeeping.
- Ensuring high‑risk work, including any task involving a fall of more than two metres, is supported by a compliant SWMS
With increased regulatory changes in 2026, demonstrating strong, well‑documented site controls is essential to avoiding enforcement action and project delays. Above all else, keeping construction sites safe can save lives.
How Action OHS Consulting Helps
Action OHS Consulting helps you to make practical, achievable and tailored decisions to address the unique challenges of the construction industry. We help you identify risks, implement effective controls, and stay ahead of regulatory expectations.
Assessing and enhancing your safety program
We review your systems and site practices against WHS legislation and industry expectations. This includes evaluating:
- Fall‑prevention and edge‑protection measures.
- EWP and scaffold setup.
- Falling‑object controls such as barriers, mesh, toe‑boards and exclusion zones.
- Housekeeping and storage practices .
- SWMS coverage for high‑risk tasks.
This ensures your site aligns with current regulatory priorities, including WHSQ’s 2026 falling‑object campaign.
Implementing Practical, Site‑Ready Solutions
We support you in putting effective systems in place by:
- Strengthening fall‑prevention and access systems,
- Introducing engineering and administrative controls to manage falling‑object risks.
- Developing or reviewing Safe Work Method Statements to ensure they reflect how work is performed.
- Providing clear, operational guidance your team can easily follow.
We deliver practical, site‑ready solutions that make compliance simple by strengthening fall‑prevention systems, reducing falling‑object risks, aligning SWMS with real‑world work practices, and giving your teams clear guidance they can confidently follow on site.
Identifying Critical On‑Site Risks
Our consultants conduct clear, practical assessments to identify hazards such as:
- Work at height (roofs, edges, scaffolds, EWPs, platforms).
- Falling‑object risks (tools, debris, stored materials, lifting operations).
- Site conditions that increase risk (poor lighting, slippery surfaces, overhead sequencing).
We help you understand what falls under high‑risk construction work and where attention needs to be focused to avoid risks.
How to keep improving safety in your workplace
Falls from height and falling objects remain two of the most serious risks in construction and a major focus for regulatory bodies in 2026. Strong controls and clear documentation are essential for both safety and compliance.
Action OHS Consulting helps construction companies stay ahead by delivering:
- Expert risk assessments.
- Compliance and systems reviews.
- SWMS development.
- Site training and briefings.
- Ongoing monitoring and support.
We make safety practical, achievable, and integrated into everyday operations, protecting your workers, your business, and your reputation.
WHS laws are evolving; make sure your business evolves with them.
Action OHS partners with organisations across Australia to simplify compliance, strengthen safety practices, and protect workers.
