Why this matters
Falls of materials are one of Lendlease’s most significant hazards. In the past five years, we’ve had over 250 incidents involving materials falling more than 2 metres—that’s roughly one every week. These events put lives at risk and can cause serious harm.
For April and May 2026, we’re putting an extra spotlight on this risk.
Campaign Message
Every observation counts. Every inspection matters. Every conversation saves lives.
Let’s work together to make our sites safer - because preventing falls isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Our campaign has four critical actions to prevent falls of materials:
Tether It
Tethering tools is critical to ensure that fall of materials or objects is mitigated. Tools, equipment and materials must be tethered whenever work is performed outside edge protection, during crane work, from height access equipment, or anywhere gaps or openings create a risk of dropped objects. This includes situations where containment can't be fully closed or when formwork screens must be opened and a gap is created.
Always Tether when:
- Working outside edge protection (BMUs, mast climbers, rope access)
- Crane installation, alteration, maintenance, dismantling
- Working above one storey using MEWPs/height-access equipment
- Work within 3m of an edge where full containment isn’t achievable
- Task requiring climbing formwork that temporarily create gaps
Secure It
Unsecured materials pose a serious risk of falling from height, whether through wind, movement during crane operations, or displacement of building elements. Even small items can cause significant harm when dropped, creating hazards for workers, the public, and surrounding property. Ensuring all materials are properly secured is essential to preventing dropped-object incidents and maintaining a safe place.
Always Secure when:
- Relocate or tie down materials that are exposed to wind
- Penetrations covers must be mechanically fixed (screwed/bolted)
- Competent dogman should inspect loads are secure prior to lifting
- Building elements including large format tiles and panels must have mechnical restraint (screwed/bolted not nailed)
Contain It
Containing the work area is essential to prevent tools, materials, and debris from falling to levels below. Even small gaps in barriers, mesh, or edge protection can allow objects to drop, creating serious risks to workers and the public. Ensuring full containment—with no openings, voids, or unprotected edges—is a critical control for maintaining a safe work environment at height.
Always:
- Ensure full-height edge protection (floor to soffit) on multi-storey structures
- Prioritise perimeter screens over scaffolds or nets
- Ensure that there are ‘no gaps’
- Maintain containment during demolition
- Use nets or fans when full containment isn’t feasible
- Perimeter netting must have sufficient overlap to prevent gaps
- All works in shafts or voids should be excluded, where this isn’t possible overhead protection must be installed.
Exclude It
Exclusion zones are a critical control for preventing Fall of Materials incidents. By keeping people clear of areas where lifting, and/or overhead work is occurring, exclusion zones create a safe buffer that protects workers and the public from unexpected falls. Establishing and enforcing exclusion zones with physical barriers ensures that if an object does fall, no one will be positioned beneath it—significantly reducing the risk of serious injury.
Always install an exclusion zone:
- Working outside edge protection (BMUs, mast climbers, rope access)
- Crane installation, alteration, maintenance, dismantling
- Working above one storey using MEWPs/height-access equipment
- Work within 3m of an edge where full containment isn’t achievable
- Task requiring climbing formwork that temporarily create gaps