An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a fall from height report is
A fall from height report captures the circumstances of a fall — or a near-fall — from any height, recording the access method, the protection in place and what failed. Falls from height are among the most serious workplace events, so the detail matters.
This is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, and it does not authorise any work at height — that requires planning, competence and controls that vary by country.
Purpose
- Record falls and near-falls from height and their circumstances.
- Capture the access equipment and fall protection involved.
- Identify what failed — equipment, planning or control.
- Trigger investigation and improvement of work at height.
Who completes it
- A supervisor or manager, with input from those present.
- A competent person may review the access equipment.
- The employer decides the process and how work at height is controlled.
- External reporting, where required, is the employer’s duty.
When it is used
- As soon as practicable after a fall or near-fall from height.
- For ladders, scaffolds, platforms, edges and openings.
- When fall protection was missing, failed or was not used.
- For near-falls that reveal a serious gap.
Typical fields
- Date, time, location and the height involved.
- The access method and fall protection in place.
- What happened and what failed or was missing.
- Any injury, and the immediate response and rescue.
- Cause, follow-up and whether external reporting may apply.
- Example fields only — adapt to your process and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Recording the fall but not the missing or unused protection.
- Treating a near-fall as not worth reporting.
- Overlooking the planning and supervision behind the task.
- Reusing access equipment before it is checked.
Document workflow
A fall from height report follows the accident report or near miss process and can trigger a dangerous occurrence report for serious events. It drives an incident investigation, a root cause analysis form and corrective actions, and a review of the relevant risk assessment and any work at height plan.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with and completed after a fall from height report.
Retention (high level)
Fall from height records are usually kept for a period set by the applicable law and the employer’s duties. This page does not state a period — confirm with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Fall from height reports are commonly completed and stored as PDFs, often with photographs of the access and protection. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make any work at height safe or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Record the access method and the protection in place or missing.
- Treat near-falls as serious warnings.
- Examine the planning, equipment and supervision of the task.
- Check access equipment before it is used again.
Worker notes
- Report falls and near-falls from height promptly.
- Use the access equipment and fall protection provided.
- Flag any missing or damaged protection before working.
Country considerations
Requirements for work at height and any reporting vary significantly by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not legal advice.
Confirm requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for planning and controlling work at height, providing suitable equipment, recording and investigating incidents and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not authorise any work at height and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
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