Working at Heights

Working at heights is a serious risk on dairy farms — falls can cause serious injury even from less than two metres. Where a fall from one level to another is possible, the law requires the risks to be controlled.

On dairy farms, heights risks arise on silos, roofs, ladders, travelling irrigators, loading ramps and elevated platforms.

Watch out

By law, the person conducting the business at any workplace where a fall from one level to another is possible has work health and safety obligations to manage the hazards and risks that arise.

Controlling the risk

Work health and safety law sets out a hierarchy of control for falls:

  • avoid the need to work at height where it is reasonably practicable
  • if not, use a fall-prevention device — guard rails, working platforms or cover
  • then a work-positioning system that holds a person in place
  • then a fall-arrest system, along with safe procedures and training

Maintained guidance: Safe Work Australia's model codes on managing the risk of falls and elevating work platforms, and WorkSafe Victoria's guide to falls prevention.

The working at heights step-by-step and quick safety scan support getting started — see the Starting Out topic and the Farm safety starter kit.

Common questions

What counts as working at heights on a dairy farm?

Any work where a fall from one level to another is possible — for example on silos, roofs, ladders, travelling irrigators, loading ramps and elevated platforms. Falls can cause serious injury even from under two metres.

Is there a legal duty to control falls?

Yes. Wherever a fall between levels is possible, the person conducting the business must control the risk under work health and safety law. 

How should a farm control the risk of falls?

Follow the hierarchy of control: avoid working at height where possible; if not, use fall-prevention devices such as guard rails, platforms and covers; then work-positioning systems; then fall-arrest systems and safe procedures.