SiteGuard Systems

Height: inspection and testing

ItemHow oftenBasisReferenceApplies to
Scaffold: handover inspection before first useBy: Competent person (licensed scaffolder for >4 m)
State notes

Model WHS: applies to suspended, cantilevered, spur and hung scaffolds and any scaffold with a fall risk >4 m. VIC r.118: no work from scaffold until complete; no written-handover regulation (good practice).

 Before first useWritten confirmation from competent person that construction is complete (handover certificate) WHS statesMandatoryVICGood practice Model WHS Reg 225(2); AS/NZS 4576Federal Register of Legislation, SafeWork NSW Construction
Scaffold: periodic inspectionBy: Competent person
State notes

Mandatory in model WHS jurisdictions (and WA). VIC: OHS Regs r.118 has no fixed interval - scaffold must be secure and repaired before use once found unsafe; 30-day inspection is good practice in VIC.

 At least every 30 daysAnd before use resumes after an incident affecting stability, or after repairs WHS statesMandatoryVICGood practice Model WHS Reg 225(3)Federal Register of Legislation, Victorian Legislation, WorkSafe Tasmania Construction
Scaffold: daily pre-use checkBy: Scaffold user / supervisor
State notes

Guidance only in all jurisdictions.

 Each day before use Good practice SafeWork NSW scaffold guidanceSafeWork NSW Construction
Harnesses and lanyards: user checkBy: User
State notes

Same in all jurisdictions; follow manufacturer if stricter.

 Before and after each use Standard AS/NZS 1891.4 cl.9.2From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.CH-S (secondary) All workplaces
Harnesses, lanyards and personal fall-arrest equipment: periodic inspectionBy: Height safety equipment inspector (competent person)
State notes

Same in all jurisdictions.

 Every 6 monthsMore often in harsh conditions; on entry/re-entry into service Standard AS/NZS 1891.4 cl.9.3.2From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.CH-S (secondary), Safe at Heights (secondary) All workplaces
Fall-arrest devices (self-retracting lifelines)By: Height safety equipment inspector
State notes

Same in all jurisdictions.

 Every 6 months (external); full service per manufacturer (up to 5 years) WHS statesStandardVICManufacturer AS/NZS 1891.4 cl.9.3.4From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.CH-S (secondary) All workplaces
Anchorage points (drilled-in / timber-framed)By: Height safety equipment inspector
State notes

SafeWork NSW: AS/NZS 5532 does not address ongoing inspection; inspection programs follow AS/NZS 1891.4. Other anchor types: up to 5 years if manufacturer recommends.

 Every 12 monthsAnnual load testing of chemical and friction anchors Standard AS/NZS 1891.4 cl.9.3.3; AS/NZS 5532 (design/manufacturer testing only)CH-S (secondary), SafeWork NSW All workplaces
Static lines and lifelinesBy: Height safety equipment inspector
State notes

Disagreement: one source cites 6-monthly for cable static lines; another allows longer intervals for accredited steel rope/rail systems. Conservative 6 months recorded.

 Every 6 months (fibre rope/webbing and cable systems); steel rope/rail per manufacturer Standard AS/NZS 1891.4 cl.9.3.5, 9.7From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.CH-S (secondary), Safe at Heights (secondary) All workplaces
Fall-arrest equipment that has arrested a fallBy: Competent person
State notes

Same in all jurisdictions.

 Before any further useWithdraw from service Standard AS/NZS 1891.4 cl.9.5From a published summary of the standard; check the current edition.CH-S (secondary) All workplaces
Temporary edge protection / guardrailsBy: Competent person
State notes

Guidance in all jurisdictions; monthly is given as an example, not a mandated interval.

 After installation (before access); periodically (monthly is the regulator's example); after adverse weatherHandover certificate per AS/NZS 4994.2; record with photos Good practice AS/NZS 4994.1; AS/NZS 4994.2; SafeWork NSW roof edge protection fact sheetSafeWork NSW Construction

What the basis labels mean

A planning guide, not legal advice. Intervals are minimums under normal conditions: shorten them where use, environment, damage or a risk assessment calls for it, and follow the current edition of the standard, your regulator's guidance and the manufacturer's instructions. Victoria operates under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2017; the other states and territories under the model WHS laws as adopted locally. Items checked 28 October 2026.

Sources

  1. Federal Register of Legislation: Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth), Compilation No. 28 (25/03/2025) - mirrors model WHS Regulations numbering
  2. Victorian Legislation: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), Authorised Version No. 018
  3. SafeWork NSW: Scaffolds (working at heights)
  4. WorkSafe Tasmania: Plant inspections
  5. CH-S (secondary): Height safety equipment inspections and servicing (AS/NZS 1891.4 clause summary)
  6. Safe at Heights (secondary): Inspection and certification of fall arrest systems
  7. SafeWork NSW: Fall arrest anchors
  8. SafeWork NSW: Roof edge protection fact sheet

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