01/07/2026
Working at height remains one of the leading causes of fatal and major workplace injuries in the UK.
Every year, workers suffer serious injuries and fatalities due to falls from ladders, roofs, scaffolds, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), fragile surfaces, and other elevated work areas. These incidents are often preventable through proper planning, training, supervision, and the use of suitable fall protection systems.
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, employers have a legal duty to ensure that all work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent people. Before any task begins, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be completed to identify hazards and implement effective control measures.
Key Hazards of Working at Height:
Falls from ladders, scaffolds, roofs, and platforms.
Falling tools, materials, or equipment striking people below.
Collapse of unsafe or poorly erected access equipment.
Slips, trips, and loss of balance due to poor housekeeping or adverse weather.
Failure or misuse of fall arrest equipment.
Essential Control Measures:
✅ Avoid working at height where possible.
✅ Use the safest access equipment suitable for the task.
✅ Ensure scaffolds and platforms are inspected regularly.
✅ Wear correctly fitted fall arrest harnesses and connect them to suitable anchor points.
✅ Install guardrails, toe boards, and edge protection.
✅ Secure tools and materials to prevent falling objects.
✅ Restrict access below working areas and use warning signage.
✅ Provide adequate training, supervision, and emergency rescue procedures.
✅ Stop work during high winds, heavy rain, or other unsafe weather conditions.
Safety Is Everyone's Responsibility
No deadline or production target is more important than a worker's life.
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