Whether you’re maintaining a commercial roof, installing solar or accessing hard-to-reach areas, a static line system is one of the safest ways to protect workers at height. These systems are designed to keep people securely connected while working on elevated surfaces, helping you stay compliant with Australian safety standards.
In this guide, we’ll break down what static line systems are, how they work and when you might need one — especially if you’re managing a site in Melbourne or Brisbane.
A static line is a tensioned safety cable, typically made from stainless steel, that runs across a roof or elevated surface. Workers connect their harnesses to the line using a lanyard and shuttle, allowing them to move along the line safely while staying anchored at all times.
Static lines are a key part of height safety systems. They’re used to:
Whether installed on metal roofing, concrete structures or over warehouse spaces, static line systems give workers the freedom to move without compromising their safety.
Static lines come in two main forms:
These are engineered systems installed directly into the structure of a building. They’re ideal for sites that require regular access, such as:
As the name suggests, these systems are portable and removable. They’re often used for short-term jobs like:
Temporary static lines still require correct setup and tensioning and must meet the same safety standards as permanent systems.
Static lines are part of a complete fall protection system. Here’s how they work:
If a worker trips or slips, the system helps reduce the impact by limiting the fall and spreading the load across the anchors.
If your site involves any kind of work at height, you may be legally required to install a fall protection system like a static line. Common use cases include:
In general, if workers are exposed to a risk of falling more than two metres, a height safety system is required, and a static line is often the most flexible and cost-effective option.
While static lines are highly effective, they may not be suitable on their own for every site. In some cases, they need to be combined with:
A qualified installer will assess your site and recommend the right mix of systems to meet both compliance and practical safety needs.
All static line systems in Australia must comply with AS/NZS 1891.4, which outlines the design, installation and inspection requirements.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Lifting Guys provide full installation, testing and ongoing certification for both permanent and temporary static line systems, ensuring your site remains safe and compliant.
Not sure if your site needs a static line system? We’ll come to you.
The Lifting Guys offers free, no-obligation site assessments across Melbourne, Brisbane and surrounding areas. Our qualified team will inspect your site, explain your legal requirements and recommend the most efficient setup, whether that’s a static line, anchor system or combination.
✅ Fast turnarounds
✅ Fully certified installers
✅ Systems designed to meet Australian standards
