Why registered club directors, CEOs and small business owners need to take workplace falls seriously following the July 2026 WHS changes. 

When was the last time you considered how easily someone could fall at work? 

Perhaps it’s a staff member using a ladder to reach stock, a maintenance worker accessing the roof, a groundskeeper working near an embankment, or a contractor repairing equipment above ceiling height. 

These activities may seem routine. But one fall could result in a serious injury, permanent disability or even a fatality. 

For business owners, CEOs, and directors, the consequences can extend beyond the injury itself. 

Falls Are Still a Major Workplace Safety Issue 

On 1 July 2026, SafeWork NSW released its regulatory priorities for 2026-27, identifying falls from heights as one of its four key safety priorities. 

The regulator reported that, in the preceding 12 months, there had been: 

More than 600 reported incidents involving falls from heights, including five fatalities in NSW. 

These are not just construction industry statistics. 

Registered clubs, hospitality venues, retail businesses and other small and medium businesses regularly undertake activities where workers may be exposed to falls. 

A fall doesn’t have to be from a roof to cause a serious injury. Even a relatively low height can have devastating consequences. 

What Changed on 1 July 2026? 

A significant change to NSW work health and safety legislation commenced on 1 July 2026. 

Under section 26A of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, businesses must now comply with applicable approved Codes of Practice or manage the relevant hazards and risks using another method that provides an equivalent or higher standard of health and safety. 

Previously, Codes of Practice provided recognised guidance on how businesses could meet their safety obligations. 

They now carry greater legal weight as minimum performance standards. 

For workplace falls, the NSW Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice provides guidance on identifying fall hazards, selecting suitable controls, safely using ladders and managing work at heights. 

This means businesses should review their existing arrangements rather than assume a written safety policy or an old risk assessment is sufficient. 

What Does This Mean for Directors and CEOs? 

Under section 27 of the WHS Act, officers already have a legal obligation to exercise due diligence to ensure their organisation complies with its health and safety duties. 

The July changes did not create that duty, but they introduced another key compliance requirement officers must consider. 

Due diligence is more than attending a board meeting, approving a WHS policy or receiving an incident report. 

It requires officers to take reasonable steps to understand workplace risks, ensure suitable resources and processes are available, and verify that safety controls are being used effectively. 

Consider these questions: 

If a worker fell from a ladder tomorrow, could your organisation demonstrate that: 

• The activity and fall risk had been identified?
• Safer alternatives to using the ladder had been considered?
• Appropriate equipment and controls were provided?
• The worker was trained and authorised to undertake the task?
• Supervisors had checked that the work was being performed safely?
• Management had reviewed the controls and addressed any identified issues?

If you cannot confidently answer these questions, it may be time to review how falls are managed in your workplace. 

What Should Registered Clubs and Small Businesses Be Doing? 

Preventing falls does not have to involve complicated systems or excessive paperwork. 

It does, however, require a practical and consistent approach. 

Start with five actions: 

Identify where falls could occur 

Walk through your workplace and look at ladders, storage areas, steps, loading docks, plant rooms, roofs, maintenance activities and other locations where people could fall. 

Also consider wet floors, uneven surfaces and other slip and trip hazards. These need to be managed under the broader WHS risk management duties and relevant guidance. 

Review the controls already in place 

Can the task be performed safely from the ground? Can equipment be relocated to avoid working at height? Are guardrails, suitable work platforms or other fall prevention measures needed? 

Simply telling workers to be careful is not an adequate substitute for effective risk controls. 

Make sure workers and contractors understand the risks 

Provide appropriate training, instruction and supervision. 

Where specialist work at heights is required, ensure competent contractors are engaged and suitable risk controls are established before work begins. 

Engaging a contractor does not automatically remove the organisation’s own WHS responsibilities. 

Give supervisors responsibility for checking safety 

Supervisors are often best placed to identify unsafe activities before an incident occurs. 

Encourage regular safety walks, discussions with workers, hazard reporting and timely follow-up of corrective actions. 

Keep evidence that safety is being managed 

Maintain relevant risk assessments, inspection records, training records, contractor documents, incident reports and corrective actions. 

For registered clubs, management and the board should also receive appropriate WHS reporting so they can understand significant risks and verify that action is being taken. 

The aim is not paperwork for its own sake. It is being able to demonstrate that risks have been identified, controls are working and problems are being addressed. 

A Simple Question for Your Next Management or Board Meeting 

“How do we know our workers and contractors are protected from falls, and what evidence do we have that our controls are working?” 

If that question cannot be answered, it deserves attention. 

Workplace safety cannot rely entirely on a policy sitting in a folder or the assumption that experienced employees will always work safely. 

It requires leadership, consultation, effective controls and regular verification. 

Don’t Wait for a Serious Fall to Review Your Responsibilities 

The July 2026 legislative changes are an important reminder that approved Codes of Practice must be taken seriously. 

For registered clubs and small to medium businesses, this is an opportunity to review existing practices, strengthen supervision and ensure safety responsibilities are understood at every level. 

You don’t need a large WHS department to manage falls effectively. You need a practical system, people who understand their responsibilities and evidence that the system is working. 

At CHD Partners, we support registered clubs and small to medium businesses in identifying workplace risks, developing practical safety procedures, and implementing ongoing compliance activities. 

Through our CIRT compliance management system, organisations can record risk assessments, workplace inspections, training, hazards and corrective actions, helping management maintain oversight and accountability. 

If you’re unsure whether your existing falls procedures and risk assessments reflect the July 2026 changes, contact CHD Partners for assistance. 

Protect your people.  

Support your supervisors.  

Demonstrate your due diligence. 

Australian Regulatory References

SafeWork NSW – Codes of Practice 

SafeWork NSW – Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces Code of Practice 

SafeWork NSW – Officer Due Diligence 

Safe Work Australia – Guide to Managing the Risks of Slips, Trips and Falls, September 2026 

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