Here in the UK, working at height continues to be one of the biggest causes of fatality or major injury. Common causes are falls from ladders and through fragile roofs. The purpose of Working at Height Regulations is to prevent death and injury from a fall from height.

Working at Height Legislation

The piece of legislation covering working from height is the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 applies to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall, liable to cause personal injury. They place duties on employers, the self-employed, and any person who controls the work of others (e.g. facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height) to the extent they control the work.

<h2 "="">What is Working at Height

Any work where one of your employees could fall from one level to another and injure themselves is classed as work at a height. This includes work:

• above ground or floor level
• on an edge where the worker could fall through an opening or fragile surface
• at ground level where the worker could fall through a hole or opening

What is Working at Height Regulations 2005

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 is a set of rules that must be followed when any work is undertaken at a height with the aim of preventing deaths and injuries. They are mandatory for all employers and people who control work at height, and are enforceable by law. There is also provision within the rules that sets out responsibilities that employees must know.

What do I need to do to comply with Regulations?

To comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005, you need to fulfil the hierarchy it sets out for you as an employer or controller of work. These are:

• Where at all possible, you need to avoid the risks presented by working at height.
• When work at height is unavoidable, you must take measures to eliminate risks.
• When risk cannot be eliminated, you must take measures to minimise the distance and consequence of a fall.

• When work at a height must take place, you must assume the following responsibilities:
• All risks must be properly assessed and managed (including risk from fragile surfaces and any risk from falling objects).
• Anyone who is involved in working at height needs to be competent.
• All work at height needs to be fully planned and organised in advance. This includes strategies for any emergencies or rescues that may need to take place.
• Any risk needs to be managed with the appropriate equipment, and you need to make sure that it is used.
• All of the equipment used for work at height needs to be inspected and maintained.