Working at Height Task Analysis Template (New Zealand)
The first question is whether the work can be done without putting a person at height. This New Zealand task-analysis form helps the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), supervisor and workers compare safer methods, plan access and control falls. It is for a specific job, not a generic height-work permission slip. WorkSafe says the risk of a fall must be managed from any height; there is no legal “safe under five metres” rule. The five-metre measure in certain particular-hazardous-work notifications is a separate question. WorkSafe working at height; particular hazardous work.
Define the work and compare methods
| Field | Job-specific answer |
|---|---|
| Site, exact work location and task | |
| PCBU/site controller, supervisor and workers | |
| Height, fall path and hazards below/through surface | |
| Could task be done on the ground or by remote/prefabricated method? | |
| If access is needed, why is this access method suitable? | |
| Surface/structure and loading evidence | |
| Equipment, inspection and operator competency | |
| Other PCBUs and public interface | |
| Weather and site-specific stop/restart triggers | |
| Rescue method, people, equipment and emergency access |
Use WorkSafe's control hierarchy: eliminate exposure where reasonably practicable, use physical/collective fall prevention where appropriate, then other suitable controls. Fall arrest catches a person after a fall and has clearance, anchor and rescue demands; it should not be the reflex choice because a harness is in the store. A ladder may suit some short, low-risk tasks, but choose it from a risk assessment and WorkSafe ladder guidance, not from a blanket ban or blanket permission.
Copyable task analysis
| Stage | What could go wrong? | Control and hold point | Owner / evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Survey and plan | Fall edge/fragile surface hidden; poor ground or structure | View from safe position; identify edges, holes, skylights and load limitations; select safer method and competent design if needed. | |
| 2. Coordinate area | Other trades/public beneath; plant collision | Set exclusion/separation, delivery route and communications; check adjacent work. | |
| 3. Install access/protection | Installer exposed before final barrier exists | Plan safe erection/installation sequence; competent person inspects scaffold/MEWP/edge protection before use. | |
| 4. Work | Fall, object drop, lost footing or changing conditions | Maintain guardrails/platform, tool controls, supervision and weather checks; stop for damaged protection. | |
| 5. Rescue/emergency | Suspended person cannot be reached promptly | If fall arrest is used, verify anchor, clearance, trained rescuers and workable rescue equipment before exposure. | |
| 6. Finish/dismantle | Protection removed while people remain exposed | Reverse sequence safely; close access; hand over any residual edges or holes. |
Essential checks before release
- What fall could occur from or through the work surface, including a low-level opening?
- What controls prevent the fall for everyone using the area, and why were stronger alternatives ruled out?
- Who checked the access equipment, foundation or roof capacity, and the manufacturer's operating limits?
- Are workers trained and supervised for the selected equipment and task?
- Could tools or materials fall on people below? Is the exclusion zone practical and maintained?
- If a harness is involved, can a person actually be rescued with the available people and equipment?
- Does the precise work meet WorkSafe's current particular-hazardous-work notification trigger? Who filed it, if required?
The answer “PPE issued” is not sufficient for questions about collective protection, equipment capacity or rescue. Record a hold rather than guessing when the design, anchor or structure is unknown.
Example: replacing a high-level sign
A contractor needs to change a sign above an active loading bay. It first checks whether a ground-operated method is feasible. If not, it plans an appropriate work platform, segregates vehicle movements, confirms the platform's ground and access requirements, and assigns a supervisor to keep the exclusion zone active. The rescue plan covers an equipment failure or fall scenario. A roof-worker template would be less useful because this task's defining interface is the loading bay and platform.
Change and briefing record
Stop and reassess if the platform moves, ground softens, weather worsens, protection is removed, adjacent work changes or a new hole/edge appears. Record the safe state, decision maker, revised controls and worker rebrief. Briefing: date/time ___; workers ___; chosen method ___; inspected equipment ___; emergency/rescue explained ___; notification check ___; questions ___ . Supervisor release: ___ . A signature does not substitute for equipment inspection or a workable rescue.
This form owns the general NZ height-work task method. The separate NZ roofing form covers roof structure, fragile surfaces and sheet sequence; the scaffold form covers erection, handover and dismantling. The existing Complys NZ working-at-height guide owns the broad explanatory query; this task form is a distinct ready-to-use intent. Still check the current repository for in-flight templates and review the live guide's product assertions before linking. Use the observed NZ Complys host as a neutral link. The proposed /nz/risk-assessment-software destination and any claim that Complys designs controls, approves anchors or notifies WorkSafe need implementation proof.
Primary sources reviewed 6 October 2026: WorkSafe working at height, safe ladders, particular hazardous work. Writer-side QA: no false safety threshold or generic wind limit; competent site-specific design/rescue required. Disposition: READY subject to gates.