Working at Height Online Course

Falls are one of the main risks associated with working at height, but accidents can also occur when access equipment is unstable, surfaces are fragile or objects fall onto people below.

Common risks when working at height can include:

• Falls from an edge or opening such as from roofs, platforms, unprotected edges or floor openings.
• Falls through fragile surfaces including rooflights or roofing materials that may not safely support a person's weight.
• Unsafe or unstable access equipment ladders, stepladders and other equipment can create additional risks if they are unsuitable, incorrectly positioned or poorly maintained.
• Falling tools or materials objects dropped from height can seriously injure employees or other people below.
• Changing workplace conditions poor weather, slippery surfaces, obstructions or other environmental conditions can make work at height more hazardous.

Work at height should be properly planned before the task begins. This includes considering whether working at height can be avoided and, where it cannot, identifying the hazards and deciding what precautions are needed to carry out the work safely.

Planning should take into account:

• Tasking what work needs to be completed, how long it is expected to take and whether it can be carried out without working at height.
• The working environment including ground conditions, fragile surfaces, openings, nearby hazards and the safety of people below.
• The people carrying out the work ensuring they have the appropriate information, instruction, training and, where required, skills and experience for the task.
• Suitable equipment for the work and checking that it is properly positioned and safe to use.
• Weather and changing conditions considering whether wind, rain, ice or other conditions could make the work unsafe.
• Emergency arrangements considering what action may be needed if something goes wrong and how assistance or rescue could be provided where necessary.

Planning should be proportionate to the level of risk involved. A straightforward, low-risk task may require relatively simple precautions, while more complex or higher-risk work will require more detailed planning and control measures.

The risk of falls should be considered before work at height begins. Where reasonably practicable, the first option should be to avoid working at height altogether. If this is not possible, suitable measures should be used to prevent falls and reduce the potential consequences if a fall could still occur.

A useful approach is to follow three stages:

• Avoid working at height where possible

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  Consider whether the task can be completed safely from ground level. For example, equipment or working methods may allow some inspection, cleaning or maintenance activities to be carried out without someone needing to work at height.

• Prevent falls where working at height cannot be avoided

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  Where the work must take place at height, measures should be taken to prevent people from falling. This may include selecting suitable work equipment, providing safe access and using appropriate edge protection or other collective protective measures.

• Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall

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  Where a risk of falling remains, appropriate measures should be considered to reduce the distance a person could fall and the potential for injury. The precautions required will depend on the task, working environment and level of risk involved.

The most appropriate controls will depend on the work being carried out, which is why suitable planning and risk assessment are important before work at height begins.

Employees have a responsibility to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions when working at height. They should also cooperate with their employer and follow the safety arrangements put in place for the work.

Employees should:

• Follow their training and instructions
• Use equipment correctly
• Check equipment before use
• Report hazards and defects
• Avoid taking unnecessary risks
• Cooperate with safety measures

Employees should raise concerns if they believe work at height cannot be carried out safely rather than continuing with a task and exposing themselves or others to unnecessary risk.