October is here, which means it’s National Safe Work Month. It’s a time for every Australian to remember that workplace safety isn’t a compliance headache. It’s a daily commitment on every job, ensuring we all go home safe at the end of the day. This article uncovers the hazards you need to know and the fall protection measures we can take together.
The Stark Reality: Falls Are a Leading Workplace Hazard in Australia
Despite being highly preventable, falls remain a devastating and persistent threat to Australian workers.
- Soaring Fatalities: In 2023, 200 workers died from workplace injuries. Falls from height were the second-highest contributor, rising from 17 to 29 deaths. That’s a shocking 71% year-on-year increase.
- Widespread Impact: According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, fall-related hospitalisations accounted for 43% of all injury hospitalisations in 2023–24.
- Tragic Consequences: The same data shows that falls caused 6,698 deaths in 2022–23, making up 43% of all injury deaths.
- Hidden Dangers: This includes often-overlooked risks like skylight falls, a silent but deadly hazard on many worksites.
Why Fall Prevention Should Be Your Top Priority This October (and Beyond)
The theme of this year’s National Safe Work Month is “Safety: Every Job, Every Day.” It’s a powerful reminder that no job should ever be unsafe. Sure, we’ve made progress. But fall hazards remain a persistent and serious threat, especially across high-risk industries like construction and maintenance. A proactive approach to fall protection isn’t optional. It’s a critical, daily commitment to keeping every Australian worker safe.
SiteTech Safety Solutions: Proven Edge Protection Systems That Save Lives
In a world where workplace falls are increasing, SiteTech offers superior edge protection systems engineered to meet every safety challenge.
EBRACKET® Edge Protection System
The EBRACKET® Edge Protection System is a groundbreaking safety solution that combines efficiency and security to prevent falls from height. This highly-regarded fall protection system has been engineered to be compliant, cost-effective, and easy to use.
Maximum Safety: 95% of the system can be assembled from the ground, drastically reducing at-height risk. It is fully compliant with AS/NZS 4994.1:2023 standards.
Cost-Effective: It’s around 40% cheaper than traditional scaffolding, delivering significant savings without compromising safety.
Highly Efficient: The system can be installed in as little as 1.5minutes per meter, freeing up workers to move without a harness and significantly reducing overall job time.
Trusted and Proven: This solution is trusted by hundreds of companies across Australia for a Wide range of roof fall prevention applications across construction, maintenance, roof replacements, solar installations - any height, new and existing builds, residential and commercial.
Pro-Vis Skylight Safety Mesh
When it comes to the hidden dangers of skylights, SiteTech provides a purpose-built solution. Our Pro-Vis Skylight Safety Mesh is the first certified safety mesh in Australia, thoroughly tested by engineers to meet all safety standards.
- Quick & Easy Installation: Designed for a single-person install, it’s faster than traditional timber options.
- Corrosion-Resistant: The system includes a double-action carabiner and high-capacity screws, ensuring durability and long-term reliability.
- Standards-Compliant: As the first certified safety mesh for skylights in Australia.
5 Quick Wins: What You Can Do This National Safe Work Month
This National Safe Work Month, here are some simple yet effective actions you can take to enhance fall protection on your site.
- Start with a Daily Safety Moment: Kick off each day with a five-minute team chat on potential fall hazards and prevention methods, using resources from Safe Work Australia.
- Implement the Risk Management Process: Proactively manage risks by identifying hazards, assessing them, putting controls in place, and reviewing them regularly.
- Install Passive Fall Protection: Minimise fall risk by installing a passive edge protection system like the EBRACKET®, which removes the need for individual worker action.
- Secure Skylights Early: Don’t wait until the end of a job to address hidden risks. Install our Pro-Vis safety mesh now to prevent accidents before they happen.
- Train & Monitor: Hold toolbox talks to ensure all operators are trained on system assembly and use, and monitor the site with checklists or safety observers.
Long-Term Mindset: Beyond October, Build a Culture of Safety.
A zero-fall mindset must extend beyond October’s awareness campaign to become a year-round commitment. By adopting proactive fall protection in construction, with passive systems like SiteTech’s EBRACKET®, you invest in a sustainable approach that is both cost-effective and compliant. Let's chat about how we can help you build that culture. Contact us today to discuss a fall prevention strategy for your business.