How to avoid falling objects when working at heights

You may have great fall protection measures in place to keep employees safe when working at height, but what about their co-workers below? Dropped tools and other falling objects are a major hazard – and one that isn’t always fully addressed.

The following notes will give a clear summary of best practice in securing tools, avoiding tool drops and increasing safety in your workplace.

The problem:

Technicians in the metal working and energy sectors are especially likely to find themselves operating at heights. Think, for instance, of the long climbs involved in maintaining a wind turbine or a tall building. Even a small item of equipment dropped from such a position can seriously injure anyone hit by it. In the United States alone, more than 50,000 people each year suffer injuries due to falling objects, according to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).


What the law says:

Who is responsible for your injury? The person who put it there? You – for not being careful? Somebody else? The responsibility is shared.

Every business needs to comply with Health and Safety at Work Act from 2015. It lists step by step guides on how to prevent injuries from taking place. Falling objects are one of those threats that need to be prevented.

People Responsible For Your Safety

Of course, you need to take care of your safety. However, if you are at your workplace, there are others that share that responsibility with you. HSW Act recognises following people as duty holders:

  • PCBU
  • Officer
  • Worker
  • Other persons at workplace

PCBU is the ‘person conducting business or undertaking’. It can be an organisation or an individual and they have the primary duty of care.

This means that they need to make sure the health and safety of the employees are not put at risk at their workplace.Of course, it is their responsibility to ensure this as long as it is reasonably practicable.

The Officer is usually a company director. It is a person who has control or significant influence over the management. Their duty is to make sure that PCBU enforces all the safety measures.

Workers and other persons at a workplace are not without their responsibilities when it comes to health and safety. They need to do take care of themselves and everyone around them when performing their work.

Prevention Steps A PCBU Needs To Take

The main responsibility for the safety of the employees falls upon the PCBU. There are several steps that he needs to take to prevent accidents, including the injuries by falling objects. The first is to eliminate the risk and if that is not possible, then to minimise it.

For example, let us say that you work in a warehouse and there are many heavy boxes stored. Eliminating the risk from one of those boxes falling on you would be – storing them on the ground.

Minimising the risk, on the other hand, can be done in several ways.

  • Substitution – replacing the hazard with something of a lesser risk. In the case of warehouse boxes, it could mean packing stuff in smaller boxes or placing them on lower shelves.
  • Isolation – preventing people from getting in touch with the hazard. In this example, this would mean limiting the access to the areas below the boxes.
  • Engineering control measures – coming up with physical control measures, including processes or mechanical devices. For example, placing strong bars that keep the boxes from falling.
  • Administrative control measures – these are all work processes and procedures that are not managed by engineering or wearing PPE. In this example, it could be introducing all warehouse workers with a guide about how to store and handle boxes safely.
  • Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – the name says it all. In the case of warehouse boxes, it would mean wearing a protective helmet.

When it comes to threat of falling objects, HSW Act requires from your PCBU to try and do the following:

  • Prevent objects from falling
  • If that is impossible, arrest the freefall
  • If even that is impossible, introduce a ‘no-go’ zone

How To Prevent The Objects From Falling?

Nobody can have full control over every little thing that happens at the workplace. Accidents always happen. Gravity will do its thing and some of those tools will fall down from the scaffolds.

Your PCBU should do everything that is reasonably practicable to keep those falling objects from hurting you.

  • All the objects and tools at heights need to be secured, tied down or put away from the edges.
  • Ensuring safe ways of raising and lowering the objects
  • Arresting the fall by providing safety nets, covering pedestrian walks and providing overhead protection

How To Protect People Around You

Some people work at heights and they need to be trained on safety measures. In that way, they will know how to protect their coworkers and themselves. Safety measures include:

  • Keeping everything away from edges
  • Securing tools and materials and fixating them
  • Keeping the work area clean and tidy
  • Using chutes to place debris into the skip area which needs to be below

If you are moving a load from one place to another, make sure that you take care of the following:

  • Secure and balance load before lifting it
  • Take into account the weight and the external factors like wind
  • Make sure that the equipment that you use is fully operational
  • Establish a ‘no-go’ zone while you move the objects

Worst Case Scenario: Someone Got Hurt

Even if everybody is being very careful, somebody might get hurt. In that case, you need to have your First Aid Kit ready. Moreover, it needs to be compliant to all the legal requirements.

Your First Aid Kit needs to be positioned near the places where is more likely for accidents to occur. If your workplace includes some potential risks, there should be a trained first aider among your employees.

Having a proper First Aid Kit that is always up to date and fully stocked is somewhat challenging. Replacing the items from it can slip your mind. However, if a falling object hurts somebody, you need to know that your Kit contains all you need for dressing that wound. Reference: Alsco.co.nz

Six step to prevent injuries from falling objects

  1. Provide Warning. When working on a jobsite where the potential for falling objects exist the employer needs to provide adequate warning for both the employee and other people who may enter the jobsite. ...
  2. Secure loads. ...
  3. Properly move load. ...
  4. Keep a clean worksite. ...
  5. Administrative controls. ...
  6. Protective Equipment.

Ash Air is here for your  longevity!

Your business performance is what we strive for. We operate in the safest way possible while we offer a full range of Chicago Pneumatic and Alup air compressors, tools and on-site solutions. We also provide oil-free compressors and food-grade oil to suit your needs. Ash Air are specialists in vacuum pumps, blowers, and medical gas solutions. Ash Air offers complete quality air solutions as well as advanced piping systems for the performance and efficiency of your compressed air system.



Do you have an idea for our #expertcorner? Let us know!

Useful links:

Book Your Compressor Service

Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!

Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!

  • Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Nitrogen
  • An extensive line of air treatment components

Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.

Reliability and Efficiency

With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts on the following:

  • Increasing uptime
  • Reducing unexpected repairs
  • Reducing energy consumption
  • Improving the cleanliness of compressed air


Talk to the team today:  CONTACT US CONTACT US

Read more from our #expertcorner


Lighting tower reminds night, but also refers to diesel engine. In turn, night reminds us of silence, which is not exactly what we associate with an engine... With urban centers becoming increasingly dense and legislation increasingly strict about noise pollution in construction sites, keeping decibels to acceptable levels has been the great challenge of the main construction equipment manufacturers. …


In today’s world of increasing environmental awareness and the drive for sustainable practices, industries are actively seeking innovative solutions to reduce energy consumption and minimize their carbon footprint. If your business uses air compressors, focusing on energy recovery in air compressors is one area to pay attention too.  …


Did you know that 70% of the total cost of compressor installation consists of energy costs?

There are many reasons why saving energy is important for your business as it helps you in many ways to make your business more efficient as well as providing you with many different forms of value. Ash Air's range of Alup products can help you become more energy efficient to help reduce energy bills, reduce your costs and comply with all environmental legislation. …


Exactly what is compressed air? Where does it come from? What is it for? When we compress—or squeeze—air into a small space, we call it compressed air. When humans discovered the ability to compress air, civilisation made a huge leap forward. The reason? Compressed air opened the door to all kinds of new production methods.  …


Compressed air system leaks are indeed a big source of energy waste. Leakage in piping systems have been shown to exhibit leaks of up to 25 percent of the total energy costs. Addressing leaks is one of the first maintenance steps a facility can take to reduce energy costs. …


Think about efficiency for a minute. Every year with constant innovation, things are becoming even more efficient. Everything from electronics to industrial machinery are being developed to get more done faster while using less power. …


The air surrounding us is a mixture of fry air and water vapor. The amount of water in the air depends on the temperature and volume of the gas. The higher the air temperature, the higher the air's ability to absorb more moisture. Find out about compressed air humidity here. …


Investing in an on-site industrial gas generator is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint and your operating costs. Once you have taken this important step, there are some other things you can do to maximize your gas generation energy savings. Here are seven of them. …


For many businesses, preserving energy and becoming more sustainable have become top priorities. That not only saves them money but also makes them more competitive in the future, when demand for “green” products and services will only increase. Not just because governments mandate greater sustainability but also because customers expect it. …


While you relax and read this, do you see an electronic appliance around you? Wondering how could you relate to the current read? We got you! Compressed air is all around, in the electronic appliances you use right now. …


There are many contaminants that can threaten your compressed air system, but moisture is among the most prevalent. You may be thinking, but it’s just water, but water can have a devastating impact on your compressed air system, your production equipment, and your end product. The best way to prevent moisture from contaminating your compressed air is with a dryer. …


Compressed air can be one of the most expensive forms of energy for manufacturing plants, often using more energy than other equipment. One horsepower of compressed air requires eight horsepower of electricity. With many air compressors running at efficiencies as low as 10%, there’s often plenty of room for improvement. Fortunately, 50% of compressed air systems at small- to medium-sized industrial facilities have opportunities for low-cost energy conservation. …


As easy as it would make all of our lives, vacuum pumps are far from being “one size fits all”. Not only do you have the size to consider when choosing a vacuum pump, but more importantly type. I will briefly touch on some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with each vacuum technology we deal with. This should give you a better understanding of where to begin your search... …


AIRnet offers moisture-eliminating drop fittings called Quick Drops! Quick Drops make “drop-tees” obsolete, removing the need for extra parts and pipe, while saving time and money. …


Proper compressor installation and commissioning helps ensure trouble-free startup and long-term reliability. Thorough inspection and critical review during each phase of the installation process eliminates “built-in” deficiencies or problems which c... …


Price is an important consideration when choosing a tool for metalworking applications, but it alone should not be the deciding factor. Other things also contribute to the total cost of ownership, performance, and, ultimately, the overall productivit... …


Are you faced with the decision of whether to switch from purchasing bottled nitrogen or oxygen to on site gas generation? In that case, the decision is easy. You should! Lower costs, the right purity, less transportation emissions, improved safety, no logistics headaches. In all of these areas, on site gas generation is the superior solution. And making the switch is easy. All you need is a gas generator and a supply of compressed air. …


Did you know that one of the largest costs for industrial manufacturers is compressed air? That’s right – anywhere from 12% to 40% of a facility’s total energy costs come from its compressed air installation. This means that finding innovative ways (no matter how small) to increase compressed air efficiency can amount to big savings over the long run! Items like leak elimination, air audits, reduced pressure bands, and reducing unloaded running hours are some of the most popular ways to decrease energy usage – but there are many other actions that you can take. Read on to discover additional ways to reduce your costs and make sure your compressor system is running as efficiently as possible! …


A properly sized and designed piping system is a necessary component of any distribution compressed air system. Without this key component in place, the delivery of air from the compressor to the specific points of use will be inefficient and costly, both in the short term as well as in the long term. Let’s look more closely at how to size your compressed air piping system to ensure minimal pressure loss while maintaining maximum efficiency. …


Potential for growth of micro-organisms in a compressed air system is tied to the moisture level (dew point) of the compressed air. In simple terms, if there is moisture in your compressed air, microorganisms such as mold and bacteria have the environment they need to grow and thrive. While it’s true that as air is compressed, much of the moisture present in the intake air will condense, enough moisture remains to allow micro-organisms to proliferate. …


Your compressor installation is a workhorse that requires regular service and maintenance to help it achieve maximum efficiency and longevity. This is where compressor monitoring and data gathering technologies come in, as these provide meaningful information on your system that can be visualized, tracked over extended time periods, and used to make insightful decisions regarding compressor performance.  …


A variable speed compressor is not for every application. VSD rotary screw compressors need to be ran in a location that is in need of 24/7 compressed air and has a changing demand on the amount of air needed. If your compressed air needs are constan... …


Compressed air purification equipment must have a very low pressure drop, long service life and be strong enough to withstand the most strenuous operating conditions. Protection from oil slugs or compressor air/oil separator failure is essential. …


Intelligent Connectivity System (ICONS) is the eyes into your compressed air system. Ditch the logbooks, the regular visits to the compressor room and dealing with surprises with your compressor. • Most maintenance organizations operate between 10% to 40% efficiency • Most spend more than 50% of time on emergency work • Reactive maintenance costs 3-5 times more than preventive maintenance. …


Compressed air is used in many different industries. From refrigerator manufacturers to toy makers, companies around the world depend on compressed air to produce products. It's so important that many consider it a utility as significant as electricity, water or natural gas. …


Compressed air is always contaminated. Contaminants include, • Liquid oil - oil aerosols - oil vapor, Dirt - microorganisms - pipescale, Trace gases: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide. Learn more about why you need to filter compressed air...  …


As part of a concerted effort worldwide to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and the impact of industrial operations on the environment, regulatory authorities in many countries have introduced legislation to encourage the manufacture and use ... …


Air is always contaminated with solid particles such as dust, sand, soot, salt crystals and water as it leaves the compressor. An effective compressed air treatment system lowers the dew point of the air and takes out the elements that may harm equipment downstream of the compressor and dryer …


Dewpoint spikes immediately after desiccant switchover (line C) indicate that the desiccant was not sufficiently cooled before being brought on-line. Hot desiccant will not adsorb moisture well until it cools down, after which the dewpoint should dro... …


Don’t be alarmed if you find oil in your air compressor tank. Actually, all rotary screw compressors pass trace amounts of oil in the compressed air. The question is how much is the normal amount of oil in my compressor tank? …


As you know, compressed air filters protect your machine from dirt, dust, oil and water. These contaminants are extremely common in the areas you would find a compressed air system and will wear down your machine if not properly filtered out. …

Show More


Quick Links
Get in touch

0800 808 486

  help@ashair.co.nz

  Nationwide coverage, all regions



Keep up to date with news, promotions and more

Full URL


© 2026 Ash Air • Website design by Fuel