Working at Height

Working at Height

Legal requirements for working at height 

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall the could cause personal injury. The regulations place duties on employers, the self-employed and any person that controls the work of others.

There is a simple ‘hierarchy of controls’ for managing risks for working at height:

• firstly avoid work at heights wherever possible
• the prevent falls from height and, failing that
• reduce the consequences of a fall, should one occur

Preference should always be given to control measures that protect everyone, like providing scaffolding or safety nets. These types of measures are known as ‘collective measures’ and are considered safer than measures which only protect individuals, like fall arrest equipment.

The risks from working at height must be assessed by the employer or person in charge and safe systems of work developed and followed. All work at height must be properly planned in advance to ensure the right equipment is used. Workers must be properly trained and in good health. Work at height should not be carried out in conditions which would create a significant risk, such as high winds or snow and ice.

This course is aimed at people in the building industry to give you a basic knowledge of working at heights.

The course will cover :

• Edge protection and scaffolds
• Mobile tower scaffolds
• Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP
• Ladders
• Roof work
• Sloping roofs
• Flat roofs
• Fragile surfaces