Working At Height

The Working at Height Regulations 2005 came in to force on 6 April 2005. The aim of the regulations was to bring together all requirements in order for safe working at height standards that are applicable to all industries. The Regulations apply to all those that work at height where there is a risk of a fall, liable to cause a personal injury.

The Work at Height Regulations were amended in 2007, these came into force on 6 April 2007 and apply to those who work at height providing instruction or leadership. As part of the Regulation duty holders must ensure:

• A risk assessment is carried out before work begins
• All work at height is properly planned and organised
• Equipment for work at height is properly inspected and maintained
• Any areas at risk are properly controlled

There are a number of areas’ of work that are especially at risk from work at height, these include:

• Gutter cleaning
• Putting up displays
• Minor roof work
• Shelf stacking
• Window cleaning
• Unloading a vehicle
• Machine maintenance

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are currently running a number of campaigns to make workers aware of the risks of working at height. The most popular one is called Shattered Lives, which is to make people aware of the consequences of slips, trips and falls from height. Their website gives guidance on how everyone within a work place can work together to prevent unnecessary accidents taking place.

Working at height doesn’t necessarily mean someone working on ladders or scaffolding, it can also mean someone working in an office that stands on a chair to change a light bulb.

It is the employer’s duty to prevent accidents at work; they must do everything they can to ensure that their employees are working in safe conditions. If after carrying out a risk assessment it is decided that falling from height cannot be completely eliminated, then equipment should be provided to minimise the distance the person is at risk of falling and reduce the risk of serious injury.