Working at height

People falling from height are at risk of injury. Even falls from low heights can cause serious injury, although the greater the distance fallen is clearly a factor in the actual consequences.

Before carrying out work at height the first question must always be whether it can be avoided. If not, it is important that the work is planned properly and the risks assessed. Good organisation and competent people are required.

Planning the work should include the following:

* Selection of the correct method of access (e.g. ladder, scaffold tower, scaffolding, mobile elevating work platform (MEWP))
* Measures to prevent falls (e.g. guardrails)
* Mitigation that reduces distance fallen or impact for anyone who may fall (e.g. nets and airbags)
* Personal mitigation that an individual can use (e.g. line and harness or fall arrestor).

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. There is no minimum height specified (in the past people have referred to the 2 metre rule, but this does not apply)

Duties are placed on employers, the self-employed, and any person that controls the work of others (for example facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height). They include:

* avoid work at height where they can;
* use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid working at height;
* where they cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall should one occur.

Specific issues covered by the regulations include:
* all work at height is properly planned and organised;
* all work at height takes account of weather conditions that could endanger
health and safety;
* those involved in work at height are trained and competent;
* the place where work at height is done is safe;
* equipment for work at height is appropriately inspected;
* the risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and
* the risks from falling objects are properly controlled.

The Regulations do not apply to the provision of paid instruction or leadership in caving or climbing by way of sport, recreation, team building or similar activities. There is a proposal to amend the regulations in the future so that they do apply to these activities.

Reference