Q1. What is work at height?
You are working at height whenever there is a risk of personal injury from a fall.
The HSE provides some examples as follows:
- If you are working on a ladder or a flat roof
- If you could fall through a fragile surface
- If you could fall into an opening or a hole in the ground
Q2. What is the legal guidance?
The work at height regulations require you to:
- Avoid working at height where is it reasonably practicable to do so.
- Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using wither an existing place or work that is already safe or the right type of equipment.
- Minimise the distance and consequence of a fall, by using the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be eliminated.
The regulations also suggest that you should:
- Do as much work as possible from the ground.
- Ensure workers can get safely to and from where they work at height.
- Ensure equipment is suitable, stable and strong enough for the job, maintained and checked regularly.
- Make sure you don’t overload or overreach when working at height.
- Take precautions when working on or near fragile surfaces.
- Provide protection from falling objects.
- Consider your emergency evacuation and rescue procedures.
Q3. Who do the regulations apply to?
If you are an employer, or in control of any work at height activity, then the regulations apply to you.
Q4. Can SN-Access help with this?
Yes we can. We are able to advise on any matter relating to work at height, so please feel free to contact.
