Working at Height Training Guide

What is ‘work at height'?
A place is ‘at height' if (unless these Regulations are followed) a person could be injured falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level. ‘Work' includes moving around at a place of work (except by a staircase in a permanent workplace) but not travel to or from a place of work. For instance, a sales assistant on a stepladder would be working at height.

Do the rules apply to you?
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. They place duties on employers, the self-employed, and any person who controls the work of others (e.g. facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height) to the extent they control the work.

Dutyholders' responsibilities
The Regulations require dutyholders to ensure:
• 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
• the risks from falling objects are properly controlled

Staff training
You must ensure that everyone involved in the work is competent (or, if being trained is supervised by a competent person). This includes involvement in organisation, planning, supervision, and the supply and maintenance of equipment.
Where other precautions do not entirely eliminate the risk of a fall occurring, you must (as far as it is reasonably practicable to do so) train those who will be working at height how to avoid falling, and how to avoid or minimise injury to them should they fall.

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