Plan safe work at height

Why work at height safety matters

Falls from height are the biggest cause of workplace fatalities and one of the main causes of major injuries in the UK. Every year, around 40 workers are killed and thousands more are seriously injured in falls from height.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require you to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone falling. This means you must properly plan work at height, ensure those doing it are competent, and assess the risks before work begins.

This journey guides you through the key decisions and controls you need to put in place to manage work at height safely.

The hierarchy of controls

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require you to follow a hierarchy of controls when planning work at height. You must avoid work at height where possible, and where it cannot be avoided, you must prevent falls using work equipment or other measures.

Understanding this hierarchy is the foundation for all work at height planning. It determines what equipment you can use and what precautions you must take.

Scaffolding safety

Scaffolding is one of the most common forms of work equipment for work at height, particularly in construction and building maintenance. When properly erected and inspected, scaffolding provides a safe working platform.

However, scaffolding must be designed, erected, and inspected by competent persons. It must be inspected before first use, after any event likely to affect its stability, and at regular intervals.

Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)

MEWPs, commonly known as cherry pickers or scissor lifts, are increasingly used as an alternative to scaffolding. They can be more flexible and quicker to deploy, but they come with their own risks including crushing, falls, and overturning.

You must ensure MEWPs are selected for the task, inspected before use, and operated only by trained and authorised workers. Ground conditions, overhead hazards, and stability all need careful assessment.

Roof work safety

Roof work presents particular hazards including fragile surfaces, unprotected edges, and difficult access. Fragile roofs are responsible for a significant proportion of fatal falls, often because workers or equipment go through fragile materials like asbestos cement sheets or plastic roof lights.

You must identify fragile surfaces before work begins, prevent access to them where possible, and use appropriate platforms and fall protection where access cannot be avoided.

What to do next

Work at height planning is not a one-off task. You must assess the risks for each job, select the right equipment, ensure workers are competent, and inspect equipment at the required intervals.

Key actions to take:

• Assess whether work at height can be avoided for each task
• Follow the hierarchy of controls when selecting equipment
• Ensure scaffolding and MEWPs are inspected by competent persons
• Identify fragile surfaces before any roof work begins
• Provide training and authorisation for all workers working at height
• Keep inspection records and review them regularly

Work at height safety is overseen by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). They publish detailed guidance and can take enforcement action if you fail to comply with the regulations.