Working at Height

Avoid wherever possible

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are quite clear - working at height should be avoided wherever possible. In other words, don’t do it.

But this is not always practical, so if there is no alternative, employers must take sufficient and appropriate measures to reduce the risk of someone falling.

Before starting, stop and think. Ask yourself:

• Does this job need to be done at height? Could some or all of it be done on the ground?
• Could technology, such as a drone, be used to inspect roofs or hard-to-reach places such as grain silos?
• Is there equipment, such as high-reach flexible poles to clean gutters, I could use instead?
• Am I better employing an outside specialist?

Contracting out the work

Most accidents occur due to improper access equipment, knowledge and training. Some jobs are simply better done by specialists with the correct equipment, expert knowledge and adequate training.

Tree removal or maintenance is a good example. It is high risk, needs to be properly assessed and is best carried out by a professional tree surgeon or arborist.

Although using a contractor does not exclude you from your legal duty as an employer, it can help reduce the risk of an accident.

Carrying out the work yourself

If you do the work yourself, you must, by law, plan what you’re doing and assess the risks in these areas carefully:

1. Competence - The person doing the job must have sufficient training, skills and experience to carry out the work safely and understand the potential hazards involved.
2. Equipment - Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), all lifting equipment must be inspected regularly by a competent person, with proper records kept. You must also carry out an inspection yourself before using the equipment to make sure it remains in good working order. All equipment should be properly maintained and suitable for the task at hand. Importantly, it is illegal to lift or carry anyone in loader buckets, on pallets or on any other makeshift platforms.
3. Environment - Weather conditions, the stability of the ground surface and extreme temperatures can all increase the risk when working at height. If you can, delay doing the job until the conditions improve.
4. Surrounding area – Think about whether others may be nearby while doing the work, and what measures you need to keep them safe. This might include cordoning off the area or using tool tethering to prevent injuries from falling objects.
5. Emergency plan - Have a clear emergency action plan in place. This must include a method of rescue and a way to contact the emergency services. Working at height should never be done alone, so always have another person available and aware of the situation.

Next time you’re about to do a job at height and think ‘it’ll only take a few minutes’, think again.

Further information

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on “Work at height: preventing falls” is available on the HSE website.