4.13.6
High Risk Construction Work Guide
HIGH RISK CONSTRUCTION WORK GUIDE
Hazard
Asbestos
Chemical, fuel or
refrigerant lines
Confined spaces
Contaminated or
flammable
atmospheres
Demolition
High risk
construction work
Any construction work
that involves, or is likely
to involve, the
disturbance of asbestos.
Any construction work
that is carried out on or
near chemical, fuel or
refrigerant lines.
Any construction work
that involves a confined
space
Any construction work
that is carried out in an
area that may have a
contaminated or
flammable atmosphere.
The demolition of an
element of a structure
Requirements and Risks
Note: This is not a definitive list
Part 7.3 of the WHS Regulations sets out specific
requirements for asbestos management and removal,
including:
 asbestos registers for buildings
 demolition work
 removal, and
 licensing.
The main risk is for people to be exposed to airborne
asbestos particles.
The WHS Regulations set out specific requirements for:
 Hazardous chemicals – Chapter 7, and
 Major Hazard Facilities (MHFs) – Chapter 8.
The main risk is from an unexpected release of chemicals,
fuel or refrigerant resulting in, for example, the exposure of
persons to fire or explosion.
Any work that might impact on chemical, fuel or refrigerant
lines will need to planned and undertaken safely and avoid
interfering with or damaging the lines.
Part 4.3 of the WHS Regulations sets out specific
requirements for confined spaces, including for entry permits
and specific risks.
Entry to confined spaces must be controlled to prevent
workers being exposed to hazardous chemicals and other
hazards that may be present.
Signage should be used to identify a confined space.
The WHS Regulations set out specific requirements for:
 Confined spaces – Part 4.3, and
 Hazardous chemicals – Chapter 7.
The main risk is from an accidental or unexpected exposure
of persons to contaminated or flammable atmospheres or
ignition of flammable materials.
Part 4.5A of the WHS Regulations set out specific
requirements for the notification of demolition work involving:
Page 1 of 5
Codes and Standards
Codes of Practice:
 How to Manage and Control Asbestos in
the Workplace
 How to Safely Remove Asbestos
 Demolition Work
Technical Standards:
 Workplace Exposure Standards for
Airborne Contaminants.
Codes of Practice:
 Chemicals Risk Management
Technical Standards:
 Workplace Exposure Standards for
Airborne Contaminants.
Code of Practice:
 Confined Spaces
 Chemicals Risk Management
Technical Standards:
 AS 2865: Confined spaces
Codes of Practice:
 Chemicals Risk Management
 Confined Spaces
Technical Standards:
 Workplace Exposure Standards for
Airborne Contaminants.
Code of Practice:
 Demolition Work
Compiled: 10/2012
Revision No: 1 –
4.13.6
High Risk Construction Work Guide
Hazard
High risk
construction work
that is load-bearing or
related to the physical
integrity of the structure.
Diving
Drowning in water or
other liquid
Any construction work
that involves diving.
Any construction work
that is carried out in or
near water or other liquid
that involves a risk of
drowning.
Requirements and Risks
Note: This is not a definitive list
 the demolition of a structure that is at least 6 metres in
height
 demolition work involving load shifting machinery on a
suspended floor
 demolition work involving explosives.
The main risk is an unexpected collapse of part or all the
structure or structures being demolished.
Part 7.3 of the WHS Regulations also sets out specific
requirements for asbestos management and removal (see
above).
Part 4.8 of the WHS Regulations sets out specific
requirements for diving work.
A key risk is for a person to drown as a result of, for example,
a lack of fitness, limited competency and/or planning, or
equipment failure.
A key risk when working on, in or near water or other liquid is
for a person to drown.
Where the liquid is a chemical then exposure to hazardous
chemicals can also occur.
Page 2 of 5
Codes and Standards


How to Manage and Control Asbestos in
the Workplace
How to Safely Remove Asbestos
Technical Standards:
 AS 2601: The demolition of structures
Code of Practice:
 Diving.
Technical Standards:
 AS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations
- Standard operational practice
Codes of Practice:
 Diving
 Excavation Work
 Chemicals Risk Management
Compiled: 10/2012
Revision No: 1 –
4.13.6
High Risk Construction Work Guide
Hazard
Energised electrical
installations or
services
Excavations
Explosives
High risk
construction work
Any construction work
that is carried out on or
near energised electrical
installations or services.
Any construction work
that involves a shaft or
trench with an excavated
depth greater than 1.5
metres or a tunnel.
Any construction work
that involves the use of
explosives.
Requirements and Risks
Note: This is not a definitive list
Part 4.7 of the WHS Regulations sets out specific
requirements for electrical work including:
 electrical installation and equipment
 electrical equipment on construction workplaces
 work on energised electrical equipment
 residual current devices (RCDs), and
 overhead electric lines.
Electrical work at a construction workplace must comply with
AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations – Construction and
demolition sites.
The main risk is contact with an energised electrical circuit
resulting in electric shock, burns or other injury.
Part 6.3.8 to 6.3.11 of the WHS Regulations set out specific
requirements for excavation work involving:
 underground essential services, and
 trenches.
The WHS regulations require the risks to be managed,
including the main risk of an unexpected ground collapse (of
part or all the excavation) onto persons working in or around
the excavation. Other risks to be managed include falls into
excavations, falling objects and airborne contaminants.
All possession, storage, handling and use of explosives must
be carried out in compliance with the relevant dangerous
substances/goods or explosives legislation applicable in your
state or territory.
The transport of explosives must be in accordance with the
Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and
Rail.
Explosives can only be used by a competent person who is
licensed in the use of explosives
Explosives may be used, for example, to assist the
excavation of rock or for special authorised demolition
methods.
The main risk relates to a person being impacted by the
explosive force and/or materials ejected from the explosion.
Page 3 of 5
Codes and Standards
Codes of Practice:
 Managing Risks with Electrical Work
 Managing risks when working in the vicinity
of overhead electric lines, exposed
energised parts and underground electrical
services
 Inspecting, Testing and Tagging Electrical
Equipment
Technical Standards:
 AS/NZS 3012: Electrical installations –
Construction and demolition sites
Code of Practice:
 Excavation Work
Technical Standards:
 AS 2294: Earth moving machinery –
Protective structures - General
 AS 4744.1: Steel shoring and trench lining
– Design
 AS 5047: Hydraulic shoring and trench
lining equipment
Codes of Practice:
 Demolition Work
 Excavation Work
Compiled: 10/2012
Revision No: 1 –
4.13.6
High Risk Construction Work Guide
Hazard
Falls
Powered mobile
plant
High risk
construction work
Requirements and Risks
Note: This is not a definitive list
Part 4.4 of the WHS Regulations sets out specific
requirements for falls including:
 Falls of persons, and
 Fall of objects.
As set out in the relevant codes of practice, the hierarchy of
fall controls should be applied for high risk construction work.
Any fall of a person, even at ground level, can lead to serious
injury and good housekeeping and waste management can
assist in preventing slips and trips.
There is also the risk of falling objects and providing
adequate controls for the workplace and the public.
Part 5.1, Subdivision 3 of the WHS Regulations set out
specific requirements for mobile plant including:
 powered mobile plant
 earthmoving machinery
 industrial lift trucks
 cranes, and
 plant that lifts or suspends loads (e.g. lifts and hoists).
Any construction work
that involves a risk of a
person falling more than
2 metres.
Any construction work
that is carried out at a
workplace in which there
is any movement of
powered mobile plant.
Risks for powered mobile plant include overturning, hitting or
being hit by moving or falling objects, ejection of operator, or
being run over.
Plant not-in-use must be stored and secured to prevent
accidental use or misuse.
NOGO zone encroachment
Pressurised gas
distribution mains or
piping
Structural alterations
or repairs
Any construction work
that is carried out on or
near pressurised gas
distribution mains or
piping.
Any construction work
that involves structural
alterations or repairs that
require temporary support
The main risk is from an unexpected release of gas from the
pressurised lines.
Any work that might impact on the pressurised lines will need
to planned and undertaken safely and avoid interfering with
or damaging the lines.
Temporary support may include propping, scaffolding or
falsework.
The main risk is from an unexpected collapse of part or all
the structure. Work that will impact on the load bearing
Page 4 of 5
Codes and Standards
Codes of Practice:
 How to Prevent Falls in Workplaces
 Falls - Housing Construction
Technical Standards:
 AS/NZS 1891 (set)
Codes of Practice:
 Traffic Management for Construction Work
 Managing the Risk of Plant in the
Workplace
 Cranes
 Industrial Lift Trucks
 Excavation Work
 Demolition Work.
Technical Standards:
 AS/NZS 4431: Guidelines for safe working
on new lift installations in new constructions
 AS 1418.16: Cranes (including hoists and
winches) - Mast climbing work platforms
 AS2550.7: Cranes – Safe Use - Builders'
hoists and associated equipment.
Codes of Practice:
 Excavation Work
 Demolition Work
Codes of Practice:
 Scaffolds
 Formwork and Falsework
 Demolition Work
Compiled: 10/2012
Revision No: 1 –
4.13.6
High Risk Construction Work Guide
Hazard
High risk
construction work
Requirements and Risks
to prevent collapse.
Telecommunication
towers
Any construction work
that involves a
telecommunication tower.
Temperature artificial extremes
Any construction work
that is carried out in an
area in which there are
artificial extremes of
temperature.
Any construction work
that involves tilt-up or
precast concrete.
Tilt-up and precast
concrete
Traffic corridor road, railway,
shipping lane or
other in use
Any construction work
that is carried out on, in
or adjacent to a road,
railway, shipping lane or
other traffic corridor that
is in use by traffic other
than pedestrians.
Note: This is not a definitive list
capacity of a structural member may also include or be
similar to demolition work.
The main risk arises from working at height and possible falls
of people or objects (see Falls above).
There may also be exposures to electrical energy or types of
radiation, such as microwaves.
The main risk arises from persons being exposed to
extremes of temperature, resulting in possible heat stress or
hypothermia.
The main risk arises from the lifting and stabilising of large,
heavy concrete panels and the possibility that they will
become unstable and fall.
The main risks arise from the workplace being adjacent to
vehicles passing and the interaction of workers with these
vehicles.
Page 5 of 5
Codes and Standards

Safe Design of Buildings and Structures
Codes of Practice:
 How to Prevent Falls at Workplaces
Codes of Practice:
 Managing the Work Environment and
Facilities
Codes of Practice:
 Tilt-up and Precast Concrete in Building
Construction
 Cranes
Technical Standards:
 AS 3850.1 Precast concrete elements –
general requirements
 AS 3850.2 Precast concrete elements –
building construction
Codes of Practice:
 Traffic Management for Construction Work
 Managing the Risk of Plant in the
Workplace
 Excavation Work
Compiled: 10/2012
Revision No: 1 –