High risk construction work

The model WHS Regulations list 18 types of HRCW, often counted as 19 because shafts or trenches and tunnels are listed separately. Construction work is HRCW if it:

• Falls over 2 metres. Involves a risk of a person falling more than 2 metres.

• Telecommunication towers. Is carried out on a telecommunication tower.

• Load-bearing demolition. Involves demolishing an element of a structure that is load-bearing or related to its physical integrity.

• Asbestos. Involves, or is likely to involve, disturbing asbestos.

• Temporary support. Involves structural alterations or repairs that need temporary support to prevent collapse.

• Confined spaces. Is carried out in or near a confined space.

• Shafts and trenches. Is carried out in or near a shaft or trench with an excavated depth greater than 1.5 metres.

• Tunnels. Is carried out in or near a tunnel.

• Explosives. Involves the use of explosives.

• Pressurised gas. Is carried out on or near pressurised gas distribution mains or piping.

• Chemical, fuel or refrigerant lines. Is carried out on or near those lines.

• Energised electrical services. Is carried out on or near energised electrical installations or services.

• Contaminated or flammable atmospheres. Is carried out in an area that may have one.

• Tilt-up or precast concrete. Involves tilt-up or precast concrete elements.

• Traffic corridors. Is carried out on, in or next to a road, railway, shipping lane or other traffic corridor in use by traffic other than pedestrians.

• Powered mobile plant. Is carried out where there is movement of powered mobile plant.

• Artificial extremes of temperature. Is carried out in an area with artificial extremes of temperature, such as cold rooms or furnaces.

• Water and drowning. Is carried out in or near water or other liquid that involves a risk of drowning.

• Diving work. Involves diving work.

Try the free SWMS Generator.

If a task falls into any HRCW category, the PCBU must make sure a safe work method statement (SWMS) is prepared before the work starts, that the work is done in line with it, and that work stops or is made safe if it is not being followed. The principal contractor must take reasonable steps to obtain the SWMS from subcontractors before their HRCW starts.

One SWMS can cover more than one category. Formwork on an upper deck, for example, may involve falls over 2 metres, precast elements and moving mobile plant at the same time.

The two are easy to confuse. HRCW is a list of types of construction work that need a SWMS. A high risk work licence is a personal licence a worker needs to do certain tasks, such as operating a crane or forklift, scaffolding, rigging or dogging.

A task can trigger both. A crane lift near energised overhead powerlines is HRCW and needs a SWMS, and the crane operator also needs the right high risk work licence.

All states and territories have adopted a similar list, but details vary. Victoria defines HRCW in its Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017, with a list that closely follows the model but is not identical. The Northern Territory has applied a 3 metre fall trigger for some housing work, and South Australia has amended its regulations to move from a 3 metre to a 2 metre trigger. Check the regulations for the state where the work is done.