Working at Height Regulations

The new legislation which came into effect in 2005 places certain responsibilities on employers.

The primary objective of the new legislation is to eliminate work at height where possible and where it is not possible to ensure that all work at height is performed safely and equipment has been appropriately selected, whether it is from a mobile access tower, scaffold or a ladder.

You must ensure that only trained competent persons are permitted to use the equipment.

The WAHR require employers and the self-employed to put into place arrangements for:

• Eliminating or minimising risks from work at height.
• Organising and planning the work at height.
• Selected suitable equipment to perform work at height.

When selecting suitable work equipment account must be taken of the principles of Risk Assessment as required by the Regulation 3 or the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The Risk Assessment and the action taken should be appropriate to the harm that could occur if no action was taken.

Where work at height cannot be eliminated/avoided, safe means of access/working should be considered.

You must plan and organise the work before it begins, carry out a full risk assessment and be guided by the findings.

Take into account the following:

• Height you want to reach.
• The task you need to perform.
• How long it will take.
• The workplace, ground and site conditions.
• Access and egress.
• External factors such as weather, vandalism as well as safety from electric shocks.
• Practical Alternatives to Using Step Ladders Parts 1 & 2.