FPMA to expand its scope and relaunch as Working at Height Association

The Fall Protection Manufacturer’s Association of Australia (FPMA), which was formed in 2005, has relaunched as the Working at Height Association Limited (WAHA) to expand its scope and remit.

The FPMA was established to address the continuing high level of accidents involving falls from height. Comprising all eight major Australian full line manufacturers of fall arrest equipment, the association’s mandate includes regular meetings to examine market needs and develop ways to improve the safety of those required to work at height.

Initially, the association’s focus was directed at the design, manufacture and testing of fall protection equipment with specific attention to the completion of the upgrade of AS/NZS1891 - and its extension to cover single point anchorages. However, while the upgrade of the existing standard was completed in 2009, the changes brought about by the ongoing OHS harmonisation process coupled with operational changes at Standards Australia continued to delay progress on the development of an Anchor Point Standard. During this development work it became increasingly clear that there were a number of other industry segments that were critical in improving the safety of people working at height - not least, the workers themselves and their employers. In response to this market demand, the FPMA is relaunching as WAHA to reflect the inclusion of all related industries.

Current projects: Anchor Point Standard

For over 12 months, both the FPMA and now WAHA have been liaising with Standards Australia on the development of an Australian Standard for Single Point Anchors. The Technical Committee of WAHA has already presented a Draft Standard to Standards Australia for committee discussion and has offered to fund the committee process. WAHA has proposed to fund the development of the new Standard and contracts between Standards Australia and WAHA are currently under review. The absence of an Anchor Point Standard leaves a significant gap in the control of all the links in the chain required to ensure the protection of workers subjected to a fall.

Regulations and Codes of Practice

The association has already responded to the new Workplace Health & Safety Regulations and is preparing submissions on the latest draft Codes of Practice on Managing Risks in Construction Work, Preventing Falls in Housing Construction and How to Prevent Falls in Workplaces. With a greater level of input from an expanded membership, WAHA is convinced that it can have a significant input to the reduction of injuries sustained from falls from height.

Working At Height Association structure

WAHA will continue to be vigilant and proactive with regard to demonstrating industry responsibility and complying with safety standards relating to safe working at height. New members must be able to demonstrate the highest standard of skill, integrity and responsibility in the industry. As well as the existing membership of full line fall arrest equipment manufacturers, categories will now include the following:

• Part line manufacturers of working at height equipment (anchors, walkways, ladders etc)
• Equipment installers (vertical/horizontal static lines, anchors etc)
• Height safety personnel training operations
• Height safety equipment distributors
• Related associations/authorities
• Customers (equipment end users and their employer companies)

WAHA’s membership classes (full, associate or affiliate member) will each reflect various levels of impact and involvement with the safety of workers at height. The association also has longer term plans to form relationships with appropriate TAFE operations and to offer access to contemporary height safety information to apprentices within the industry.

The Working at Heights Association of Australia currently comprises all leading Australian companies in the design and manufacture of fall protection equipment. This professional association strongly supports the tightening of Australian Standards surrounding the selection, use and maintenance of height safety equipment.