| Guvnor

What this means for your business

13 obligations

12 penalties

12 can imprison

7 guides

Enforced by: HSE
Applies to: United Kingdom
On this page: 13 compliance obligations, 7 practical guides

Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

13 compliance obligations under this legislation — 12 can result in imprisonment.

Equipment and safety 3

When you use any equipment for work at height – such as guard‑rails, platforms, scaffolding, nets, airbags, personal fall‑protection gear or ladders – you must make sure it complies with the detailed requirements set out in the relevant schedules of the Work at Height Regulations. This means buying or renting equipment that meets those standards, keeping it in good condition and checking that it is certified or inspected as required.

Employer s.8 HSE when using guard‑rails, toe‑boards, barriers, working platforms, scaffolding, nets, airbags, personal fall‑protection …

If any part of your workplace involves work where people could fall or be hit by falling objects, you must put up barriers, guardrails or other devices to stop unauthorised people from entering that area. You also need to make the area clearly visible with signs or markings. This protects visitors, contractors and other staff who aren’t involved in the high‑risk work.

Employer s.11 HSE When a workplace has an area where work creates a risk of …

When you need to work at height, you must choose the right equipment. Give collective protection (like guardrails or safe platforms) priority over personal protection (like harnesses), and consider the working conditions, height, fall distance, how long and often the equipment will be used, rescue needs and any extra risks. The equipment you pick must be the right size, able to carry the expected load and allow safe movement.

Employer s.7 HSE Whenever you select equipment for work at height

Inspections 2

You must check the ground, parapets, rails or any other fall‑prevention devices every time a place at height is going to be used. The check should be done as far as is reasonably practicable before any work starts, to make sure the area is safe for your workers.

Employer s.13 HSE each time a place at height is used

As an employer you must make sure any equipment that could be unsafe – especially platforms where a fall of 2 m or more is possible or equipment that can deteriorate – is inspected in the exact position it will be used before it is put into service. Inspections must be repeated at suitable intervals or after any unusual event, and you must keep the inspection reports on the site until the work finishes and then for three months, plus retain proof that the latest required inspection has been carried out before the equipment is moved onto your premises.

Employer s.12 HSE when using work equipment covered by the regulations (e.g., platforms where a …

Management duties 8

If a job can be done safely without working at height, you must do so. When work at height is necessary, you must put in place suitable measures – use existing safe platforms or access routes where possible, provide fall‑prevention equipment, and give the right training – so that a fall that could cause injury is prevented or its impact is minimised.

Employer s.6 HSE When work at height is required

If your business has employees working at height on dock operations, you must make sure the detailed safety rules in Schedule 9 of the Work at Height Regulations are followed. This means checking the requirements, putting the necessary measures in place and monitoring that they are being applied whenever work at height occurs on a dock.

Employer Dock Operations HSE When employees are carrying out work at height in dock operations

You must make sure anyone in your business who works at height reports any unsafe condition or defect they see, and that they only use ladders, platforms or other safety devices in the way they have been trained and instructed. This means putting in place clear reporting procedures, giving written instructions and training, and checking that staff follow them.

Employer s.14 HSE when workers are carrying out work at height under your control

When you have workers doing any work at height that needs a harness, rope, lanyard or similar system, you must first carry out a risk assessment, provide specific training (including rescue), and make sure the equipment is the right type, strong enough, correctly fitted and attached to a secure anchor. You also need to put measures in place so the worker cannot fall or slip while using the system.

Employer Schedule 5 HSE When work at height is performed using a personal fall protection system

If you run a caving or climbing activity (sport, recreation, team‑building, etc.) you must ensure the safety of participants meets the same level required by the standard caving and climbing rules, even if you use different methods. You need to assess the activity, follow accepted procedures and keep records showing you’ve achieved that safety level.

Employer Special provision in relation to caving and climbi HSE When you provide instruction or leadership for caving or climbing activities (sport, …

As an employer you must stop workers from having to walk on or near fragile surfaces where it can be avoided. If they must work near a fragile surface, you must provide suitable platforms, coverings, guardrails or other protection and take steps to limit any fall distance and its consequences. You also need to put clear warning signs or otherwise make people aware of the fragile surface (except for emergency services).

Employer s.9 HSE When work involves passing across, near, or working on a fragile surface

Whenever you have staff working at height, you must plan the job, supervise the work and make sure it is carried out safely. This includes choosing the right equipment, preparing emergency and rescue plans, and only working when the weather won’t put anyone at risk. If you fail to do this, you could be prosecuted.

Employer s.4 HSE When work at height is undertaken

As an employer you must take reasonable steps to stop any material or object from falling when work is being carried out at height. You also need to make sure nobody is hit by objects that could fall, that objects are not thrown or tipped from height, and that all items are stored safely to avoid collapse or unintended movement.

Employer s.10 HSE