Height Safety Without Limits: How Difficult Access Services Handles Hard-to-Reach Projects
Every successful high-rise project begins with one non-negotiable: height safety. At Difficult Access Services, we’ve built our reputation as industry experts by tackling the hardest-to-reach projects across New South Wales with skill, precision, and a firm commitment to height safety. Whether we are doing high-rise window cleaning in Sydney, building maintenance in Wollongong, or anchor testing in Ultimo, our work revolves around protecting both our technicians and your building assets.
What is Height Safety?
Height safety refers to the systems, processes, and equipment used to protect workers from the risks of falling while working at height. It’s about creating a safe environment for anyone required to clean, maintain, or repair structures that can’t be accessed from the ground. This includes high-rise office towers, industrial facilities, roof access areas, and residential complexes.
At its core, height safety is about risk management. It combines proper planning, advanced equipment, and well-trained technicians to minimise hazards on every work site. For building owners and managers, it’s not only a legal obligation but also a way to protect staff, contractors, and the public from avoidable accidents.
What is a Height Safety System?
A height safety system is the framework that allows technicians to work securely at elevated levels. These systems are designed with fall prevention in mind, protecting workers while enabling them to carry out tasks efficiently. In many cases, a fall arrest system is also used to stop a fall in progress and minimise the risk of serious injury.
Common height safety and fall prevention components include:
- Anchor points – fixed positions where safety lines or harnesses are attached.
- Static lines – horizontal lifelines that provide continuous protection as workers move.
- Rope access equipment – harnesses, ropes, and hardware that allow technicians to abseil and position themselves safely.
- Guardrails and barriers – physical barriers that prevent accidental falls.
At Difficult Access Services, we specialise in rope access solutions. Our certified technicians install, inspect, and maintain these systems to ensure compliance with Australian standards. By combining industry-leading equipment with our expertise, we deliver safe and reliable outcomes for every project.
What is the Minimum Height for Safety?
No Fixed Threshold in Australian WHS Regulations
Australian WHS regulations don’t rely on a single fixed threshold; instead, obligations to manage fall risks apply whenever there is a risk of injury from a fall between levels, no matter the height. This includes tasks involving roof access, where even a short fall can cause significant harm if proper fall protection measures are not in place.
The 2 Metre Rule in Construction Work
However, for construction work, falls of 2 metres or more are typically classified as high-risk work and carry stricter access requirements, such as preparing a Safe Work Method Statement, in most states and territories.
Best Practice for Fall Protection
Because even short falls (say 1 m or less) can lead to serious harm, especially near fragile roofs, edges or skylights, industry best practice is to assess all work at height and apply controls where risks are present.
How Difficult Access Services Manages Height Safety
At Difficult Access Services, we take a rigorous risk-based approach: we assume every project carries potential hazards and apply height safety solutions suited to the actual risks, whether the work is at 5 m or 100 m.
Height Safety Without Limits
At Difficult Access Services, height safety without limits means being able to reach projects others can’t. From Sydney CBD to Barangaroo, Ultimo, Canberra, Newcastle and Wollongong, our technicians bring the same mix of advanced rope access techniques and strict safety systems to every site. Whether we’re restoring glass, installing anchors, washing high-rise façades, or performing ongoing maintenance on high-buildings, we provide reliable results while keeping your people, assets, and compliance obligations fully protected.
Our approach to fall prevention goes beyond compliance. We also work closely with building owners and managers to identify risks, implement effective solutions, and maintain long-term safety standards across every project.
Ready to take the risk out of your hard-to-reach projects? Contact Difficult Access Services today for a free quote and let our rope access specialists handle your height safety needs with confidence.
