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Working at heights is one of the highest-risk activities in event setup and delivery. 

If your event involves any work where someone could fall from one level to another – such as setting up lighting, rigging, marquees, staging or signage – appropriate safety controls must be in place.

What is working at heights?

In Victoria, working at heights generally means any work where there is a risk of falling from one level to another, typically 2 metres or higher. However, even lower-level falls (from trucks, steps, stages or small platforms) can cause serious injury and must be assessed.

Common event examples

  • Installing lighting or audio equipment on trusses or scaffolding
  • Assembling stages, marquees, or temporary structures
  • Hanging banners or decorations
  • Accessing roofs or high platforms
  • Working from elevated work platforms (EWPs) or scissor lifts.

Minimum safety requirements

Event organisers must ensure:

  • a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed for all work at heights
  • trained and competent personnel are engaged to carry out high-risk tasks
  • appropriate fall protection equipment is used (for example, harnesses, guardrails)
  • Elevated Work Platforms (EWP) are operated only by licensed workers
  • all equipment used (for example ladders, harnesses, scaffold) is fit-for-purpose and regularly inspected.

Event organiser responsibilities

You are responsible for:

  • ensuring all contractors and staff understand the risks of working at height
  • checking that safety documentation and licences are in place
  • providing adequate time in the event schedule for work to be done safely (for example, not rushing bump-in)
  • monitoring compliance on-site – unsafe work must be stopped immediately.

Contractor management tip

Ask your contractors to:

  • provide evidence of relevant high-risk work licences or EWP training
  • supply a task-specific SWMS that reflects the actual conditions of your event site
  • identify all activities that may involve working at height in their risk assessment.

Drones

Drones can be used for filming, photography or media opportunities but must be operated in compliance with all relevant regulations and safety guidelines.

If drones are to be used at your event, you must ensure that:

  • Approval: Obtain any necessary approvals or permits for drone usage from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or any relevant aviation authority.
  • Safety: Ensure that drones are operated in safe areas away from crowds, and that operators follow strict safety protocols. Drones must not fly over attendees or in areas that pose a risk to people or property.
  • Insurance: Ensure the drone operator holds appropriate insurance for both liability and property damage, including coverage for accidents involving third parties.
  • Operator credentials: Only qualified and licensed drone operators should be allowed to operate drones at your event. Operators must hold a valid Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) as per CASA requirements.
  • Risk Assessment: A risk assessment should be conducted to identify potential hazards associated with drone usage and to implement control measures, such as no-fly zones and emergency protocols for drone malfunction.
  • Drone-free zones: Define and clearly mark any drone-free zones within the event site, particularly around sensitive or high-risk areas like stages or crowd-controlled spaces.