Temporary edge protection is one of the main controls WorkSafe expects to see wherever there is a fall risk on Victorian commercial sites. This Q&A focuses on how it applies across slabs, stair cores, mezzanines and roofs, and answers key questions builders and project teams ask about standards, engineering and compliance.
Q1. When is temporary edge protection required in Victoria?
Short answer: whenever there is a risk of a person falling two metres or more, you are expected to control that risk. On most commercial projects with exposed slabs, stair cores, balconies, podiums or roof perimeters, that usually means temporary edge protection rather than relying on harnesses alone.
Victorian OHS law does not say “you must use guardrails at exactly this height.” Instead, it requires you to eliminate or reduce the risk of falls so far as is reasonably practicable. On real projects, WorkSafe inspectors expect to see passive fall prevention used wherever people are working near an edge. Harnesses are treated as a back-up, not your first line of defence.
This applies just as much to large warehouses, data centres, tilt panel factories, infrastructure projects, education facilities and multi-storey commercial jobs as it does to domestic roofing. If people are working at height and can reach the edge of a slab, deck or platform, you will need a clearly defined zone of safety. That is what temporary edge protection provides.
Q2. What standards apply to temporary edge protection?
In Australia, the key standards for temporary edge protection systems are the AS/NZS 4994 series, which cover:
- General requirements for temporary edge protection
- Specific requirements for roof edge protection
- Design and performance criteria for different configurations
You do not need to be an engineer to understand every line in these documents, but you do need to know they exist and that your chosen system has been designed and tested in line with them.
EWRG’s temporary edge protection systems are engineered and certified to comply with the relevant Australian Standards. That means the geometry, post spacing, loading and fixing methods have all been designed against a known benchmark, not guessed on site.
For builders, this gives you a clear, defensible position if a client, auditor or regulator asks why you chose a particular system. You can point to the engineering, the standard and the documentation that backs it up.
Q3. What does “engineered and certified” actually mean?
You see the words “engineered” and “certified” thrown around a lot. In practice, for a serious temporary edge protection system it should mean:
- Independent engineering sign-off by a qualified structural engineer
- Load calculations that confirm posts, rails and fixings can withstand specified forces
- Design drawings that show how the system must be assembled and fixed to each substrate
- Physical testing of the system before it hits the market
Tier-one builders and their insurers insist on this level of assurance for a reason. Falls from height are high-severity events. If something goes wrong, everyone will look hard at whether the system used was actually designed to handle the loads, or simply “looked sturdy enough” on the day.
An engineered and certified system shows that someone has done the maths, proved the capacity and stood behind it in writing.
Q4. Is edge protection just for roofs?
No. Temporary edge protection is not only about roof perimeters. On Victorian commercial sites it is used wherever there is a significant fall risk, including:
- High-rise slab edges, balconies and podiums using systems like Rail Wall
- Concrete and tilt panel edges using bolt-on or cast-in systems
- First floor edges, parapet walls, stair openings and mezzanine floors
- Around formwork decks and leading edges during staging
The common thread is simple. If someone can walk, work or move plant near an exposed edge, and a fall from that edge would hurt them, you should be thinking about edge protection rather than hoping they will never step too close.
Q5. How do I know an edge protection system is compliant?
There are a few practical checks you can make before you let a system onto your site:
- Ask for current engineering certificates referencing the relevant AS/NZS 4994 standard
- Review the installation manual and check it matches what is being installed in the field
- Request any available test reports or evidence of physical testing
- Check whether the manufacturer or supplier belongs to a reputable industry body such as NEPPA
Be very cautious of improvised solutions or generic handrails that have been “adapted” to act as edge protection. They may look cheaper on paper, but if they have not been designed and certified for that use, they become a liability.
In the event of an incident, “we thought it would be strong enough” is not a defence. A documented, engineered system is.
Q6. Who is responsible for installing and inspecting edge protection?
Responsibility is shared, but it starts with the duty holder on site. In practical terms that usually means the principal contractor or PCBU, who must ensure that work at height risks are controlled using suitable systems.
However, the edge protection supplier also has a clear role to play. A good supplier will:
- Provide clear installation manuals and drawings
- Offer on-site training and assessment so your crews know how to install correctly
- Carry out periodic site inspections or audits of installed systems as an added safeguard
EWRG’s Victorian team supports builders with on-site training and assessments that upskill your own crews. They also conduct site inspections and audits of temporary edge protection installs across roofs, slabs and panel edges, so you are not left guessing whether the system has been put together correctly on a fast-moving job.
This partnership approach means you are not carrying the whole compliance load on your own.
Q7. Temporary vs permanent systems: which is right for my project?
Temporary edge protection is designed for construction, refurbishment and one-off maintenance activities. It is installed for the duration of the works, then removed once the permanent structure is in place and the work at height risk is gone.
Permanent systems, on the other hand, are designed for regular access. That might include:
- Guardrails for plant platforms that need ongoing maintenance
- Static lines or anchor points for façade access
- Walkways for regular roof access
On most Victorian commercial projects, EWRG is brought in to design and supply temporary systems so the build can progress safely. Where a client requires permanent access solutions, EWRG can support with custom designs via engineering, or work alongside other specialists to ensure the temporary and permanent systems complement each other rather than clash.
Q8. What is the easiest way to stay compliant on a Victorian project?
The easiest way is to treat temporary edge protection as part of your project planning, not a last-minute add-on. That means:
- Involving EWRG early so they can help match the right system to your substrates, whether you are working on slabs, tilt panels, formwork decks, roof panels, fascia, steel beams or a mix of all of them
- Using their engineering documentation, manuals and drawings to support your own SWMS, safety plans and project documentation
- Taking advantage of their on-site training and audits so your supervisors feel confident that systems are being installed as designed
Instead of reinventing the wheel for every job, you can lean on a partner whose whole focus is engineered, compliant temporary edge protection across the entire project, not just the roof. That takes pressure off your internal team and gives your client and insurer greater confidence in how you manage work at height.
If you are planning a commercial project in Victoria and want to get temporary edge protection right from the start, speak with the EWRG Victorian team for practical advice and a quote.
By Craig Bevis
With a strong trade background and a proven track record in construction management, Craig Bevis leads East-West Roof Guardrail South in delivering compliant, efficient edge protection systems across commercial sites. For advice on safer sites and smoother installs, call Craig on 0424 660 757.