Working at Heights

During 2004-5 falls from heights in the workplace in this country cost the lives of 53 people and injured almost 3800 more. 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. Inspecting officers will discuss working at height issues during inspections of workplaces as part of a wider national initiative to help reduce the number of accidents and injuries involving working from heights.

The steps to safety

The Regulations place duties on employers, the self-employed, and persons controlling the work of others e.g. building owners who may contract others to work at height. Duty holders must ensure that:

• all work at height is properly planned and organised;
• those involved in working at height are competent;
• the risks from working at height are assessed and appropriate work equipment is selected and used;
• the risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and
• equipment for working at height is properly inspected and maintained.

Heirarchy of controls

The hierarchy for managing and selecting equipment for work at height. requires that duty holders must:

• avoid work at height being carried out where they can;
• use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid working at height; and
• where they cannot eliminate the risk of a fall, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall.

Using ladders safely

Sensible tips for using a ladder safely

The ladder should be:

• Prevented from slipping,
• Prevented from moving before it is stepped on,
• Long enough to do the job safely,
• Have a handhold available to allow the worker to maintain 3 points of contact where possible,
• Used without overreaching,
• Inspected and checked regularly where necessary.
• Duty holders should check that workers are fit to use the equipment that they are provided with. Employees or contractors should report any issues (including health issues) that may affect their safety or the safety of others.

Personal matters

Some of the human factors that should prevent you from using a ladder are if you suffer with:

• Recurring dizziness
• Epilepsy
• Psychiatric conditions (inc fear of heights)
• Heart condition
• Severe lung conditions
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Significant impaired joint function
• Medication that recommends you do not operate machinery could also be a problem

Free ladder safety publications

A number of ladder safety publications are avaialble to download from the HSE website which you can visit from our Links Page:

• “Safe use of ladders and step ladders” (refrence indg402).
• “A toolbox talk on leaning ladder and stepladders safely” (reference indg403)
• A pocket card on safe ladder use(reference indg405)

Ladder Safety at Home

We have produced a two page leaflet giving advice on the proper use of ladders and step ladders in the home. You can download it here (pdf document size 175 KB) or contact our Food/Health and Safety Offcie for a copy- please visit our main page for full contact details.

P.S. Read our Newsletter!

Our Health & Safety Newsletter number 9 containing information on working from heights can be obtained from off our Downloads page.

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