It doesn’t look dangerous – until it falls
A dropped tool. A loose fitting. A simple mistake. Incidents involving falling objects are one of the biggest causes of harm on our worksites.
Every year, too many workers in New Zealand are seriously injured or even killed by falling objects. A spanner left unsecured. A moment of inattention. A shortcut taken. It only takes a second for something small to change everything. As project leaders, workers, and teammates, we all have a role in preventing these incidents.
Follow this checklist to reduce the risk of falling objects:
1. Tidy Site, Safe Site
- Secure tools and equipment – use tethering and proper storage.
- Install physical protections like toe boards and catch nets.
- Keep work areas clean. Regularly remove debris and rubbish.
- Provide ample skip bins - especially on upper floors.
- Stack materials neatly in designated areas.
High standards in cleanliness reflect high safety standards.
2. Smart Planning and Risk Assessment
- Assess the risk of falling objects and map drop zones before work begins
- Plan for weather-related hazards including high winds
- Ensure Job Safety and Task Analysis address falling object risks and are completed, reviewed, and signed onto.
- Make sure contractors are complying with their own Task Analyses – know who’s checking.
Planning isn’t just paperwork – it’s how we prevent incidents.
3. Effective Exclusion Zones
- Install robust exclusion zones – use signage, barriers, and spotters as needed.
- Include exclusion zones in the Site Specific Safety Plan and update them as the site changes.
- Be mindful of adjacent public areas when setting boundaries, falling objects don’t respect site boundaries!
Exclusion zones only work if they’re visible, respected, and enforced.
4. Onsite Presence and Oversight
- Ensure clear responsibility for each work area: A site plan must be in place identifying the responsible manager for every work zone.
- Display a photo of the accountable manager in each area.
- Conduct regular inspections and keep records
Visibility and accountability set the tone for safety.
5. Culture and Communication
- Make speaking up the norm, if you see a risk, call it out.
- Keep training relevant, practical, and frequent.
- After any incident or near miss, report it, and make sure lessons are shared site wide.
A great safety culture doesn’t happen by accident.