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Legislation
Latest figures from the HSE show that 45 people died from a fall from height at work last year, they are the single cause of workplace fatalities and one of the main causes of major injury.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to anywhere a person could be injured when falling from it, no matter what height and they advise employers to choose the right work equipment for the task.
Ladders are only advised to be used when the job will take no more than 30 minutes and is classed as low risk. Any task which is more high risk a mobile work platform are recommended.
The HSE's key messages are as follows:
Those following good practice for work at height now should already be doing enough to comply with the Work at Height Regulations:
Follow the risk assessments you have carried out for work at height activities and make sure all work at height is planned, organised and carried out by competent persons;
Follow the hierarchy for managing risks from work at height - take steps to avoid, prevent or reduce risks; and
Choose the right work equipment and select collective measures to prevent falls (such as guardrails and working platforms) before other measures which may only mitigate the distance and consequences of a fall (such as nets or airbags) or which may only provide personal protection from a fall.
