Working at height regulations – an employer’s guide

Working at height is the number one cause of fatal accidents in the workplace. That’s why there’s strict regulation that employers and staff need to follow to stay safe while on a job. 

The regulations make sure all necessary precautions are taken to minimise the risk of injury. Read on to find out how to keep your employees safe while working at height and follow the safety guidelines. 

In the following article, we’ll cover:

• working at height definition
• working at height regulations
• ladder safety
• correct training and supervision
• working at height risk assessments
• working at height safety checklist
• consequences for not following regulations
• getting the right insurance

Working at height definition

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) define working at height as a situation where “if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury”.

You’re considered working at height if:

• you could fall from an edge or through an opening or fragile surface
• you work above ground or floor level
• you could fall from ground level through an opening in the floor or a hole in the ground

For example, window cleaners, scaffolders, and roofers would all regularly work at height.

In simple terms, if you can fall from one level to a lower level, you’re working at height. There isn’t a minimum height requirement to be deemed working at height.

But according to the Working at Height Regulations Act 2005, suitable fall protection or personal protection equipment must be worn from a height of two metres or above.

Working at height regulations

Falls from height are the leading contributor to fatal accidents in the workplace, according to the HSE. This is why it’s so important for employers and workers to follow the regulations.

The guidance on how to safely work at height is separated into different sections, which are covered below.

Avoid working at height when possible

Because of the risks, trying to find another way of completing a job is always the safest option. Realistically, there isn’t a way to work around it in some professions.

When working at height is unavoidable, it’s an employer’s responsibility to think about ways to prevent and minimise the risk.

A roofer, for example, can reduce the risk of falling by putting up scaffolding and safety nets.

Ladder safety – check your equipment

Before you start any work, you should inspect your equipment to make sure it’s working correctly.

Ladders are commonly used in many industries and should be checked before every use to make sure they function properly.

HSE has a comprehensive guide on ladder safety that shows how to spot the signs of wear on a ladder as well as how to use one safely.

And more broadly, inspecting the condition of safety equipment like safety nets or energy-absorbing lanyards is always worthwhile.

Correct training and supervision

Employers need to make sure that all work at height is carried out by competent people. This means the person performing the task needs to have the appropriate level of training and equipment to complete the task safely.

For low-risk jobs that are less than 30 minutes, basic safety instructions should be enough. For more complex jobs, like assembling scaffolding, workers may be required to have a certain level of experience or qualification to do it safely.

And for less experienced staff that may be learning on the job, making sure they’re supervised by someone with the right level of competency is important.

Working at height risk assessment

Assessing the health and safety risks of a job can help prevent accidents further down the line. Working at height poses a high level of risk but the risk assessment doesn’t need to be complicated.

Most risks will be known to you and your employees but it’s important to take the time to do a risk assessment as each project is unique.

When working at height you should:

• look for potential risks or hazards
• decide what precautions you’re going to take to reduce the risk
• make note of any significant risk you find
• refer to your assessment throughout the project to make sure you’re following the guidance

Working at height safety checklist

With all of the regulation in mind, here are six things to consider before starting any job that involves working at height: 

1. Inspect equipment regularly – before starting any job, inspect your equipment for any signs of damage or wear and tear
2. Use the correct equipment for the job – don’t use a ladder when scaffolding is more appropriate, for example
3. Ensure stability – make sure ladders and scaffolding are positioned correctly, stable, and secure
4. Wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment – this can include a safety harness, helmet, and non-slip footwear
5. Communicate effectively – make sure there’s clear communication between workers, especially when multiple people are working at height
6. Don’t take shortcuts – always follow the correct procedures, even if it takes a little longer and costs more money

What are the consequences of not following work at height rules?

Failure to comply with the Working at Height Regulations 2005 can result in:

• enforcement action – HSE can issue something called a prohibition notice which is where you’re told to stop working as immediate action is necessary to prevent serious injury 
• prosecution – in severe cases, employers and individuals can be prosecuted, leading to fines and even imprisonment 
• civil claims – injured workers can make civil claims for compensation against employers

Working at height – make sure you’re covered

As an employer, it’s your responsibility for your employees to follow the working at height regulations. But even when you take every precaution, accidents can still happen and it’s important to have the right level of cover.

It’s a legal requirement for any business with employees to have employers’ liability insurance. But due to the level of risk involved when working at height, it’s worth making sure you have the right level of cover.

It’s also possible to unintentionally injure a member of the public when working at height with accidents like falling debris. In situations like this, you might find it helpful to have a public liability policy that covers your business.

Simply Business is the trusted insurer of nearly one million customers including roofers, builders, and construction workers – run a quote with us and protect your business.

Do you have any unanswered questions about working from height? Let us know in the comments below.

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