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Height

Precautions you should take to protect employees working at height

The main safety concerns with working at height are people or objects falling and causing serious injury and damage.

Use the links below to find information on the common hazards when working at height, how to assess them, precautions you can take with equipment and your legal duties.

  1. Common height related hazards
  2. Height safety precautions
  3. Height safety legislation

3. Height safety legislation

Work at Height Regulations 2005

The Work at He​ight Regulations 2005 outline the need to avoid working at height if possible. When it cannot be avoided, you should ensure the safety of those working at height.

You can find out more about the law in relation to working at height on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) site.

Visit the HSE site for guidance on the law and work at height​

​Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover all parts of the work place. You need to ensure that all areas where people could fall from a height are properly guarded or covered.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state you must assess the risks to employees and make arrangements for their health and safety by effective

  • planning
  • organising
  • control
  • monitoring
  • review.

Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992

Personal Protective Equipment Regulations​ 1992​ require you to consider the impacts of per​​​sonal protection on work activities. You need to ensure suitable equipment is provided and used.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

The Provision and use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 also require consideration of the impacts on work at height.

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) cover lifting equipment including lifting of people and place duties on people and companies who own, operate or have control over lifting equipment.