Are you asking: What are the main risks of working at height? We look at the safety risks of working at height and what the regulations are in the workplace.
Understanding the Risks Of Working At Height?
Working at height is one of the biggest risks faced in construction and other industries. Any work at height carries the possibility that a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury, even from a low level. The consequences of a fall can range from minor injuries to severe harm or even fatal accidents.
Employers and employees alike must understand that falls from height remain the leading cause of fatalities in the workplace. Work at height must therefore be properly planned, assessed, and carried out safely to minimise the risks involved.
The Two Most Common Safety Risks of Working at Height
The two most common risks of working at height are:
Falls from height – This can occur from scaffolding, ladders, stepladders, fragile roofs, or platforms. A fall from height can result in serious injury or even death. For example, a person could fall while climbing a ladder or stepping onto an unstable surface.
Falling objects – Tools, equipment, and materials can be dropped from a height. Even a small item falling from a short distance can cause personal injury if it strikes someone below. Employers must make sure that protective equipment like hard hats and edge protection is in place to protect workers on the ground.
Common height related hazards
Poor weather conditions, such as rain or high winds, can increase the risks of working at height and affect the stability of equipment. Lack of planning or insufficient precautions in place may lead to slips, trips, or falls from height.
Examples of hazardous places of work at height include:
- Ladders and stepladders
- Scaffolds and tower scaffolding
- Fragile surfaces such as roofs
- Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs)
- Platforms without edge protection
- Construction sites with uneven ground levels
- Elevated vehicles or trailers
Consequences of a Fall
The consequences of a fall from height can be severe and life-changing. In the worst cases, they may result in fatalities. Even falls from short duration tasks, such as stepping onto an unsecured ladder, can cause permanent disability. The consequences of a fall often extend beyond the injured person, affecting co-workers, families, and employers who may face legal or financial consequences.
Safety Precautions and Training
To work safely at height, employers must ensure proper safety precautions are in place. Workers should receive updated training and courses on working at height to build the knowledge and skills required to carry out tasks safely.
Some important precautions include:
- Carrying out a risk assessment before work begins
- Making sure ladders are properly planned, secured, and only used for short-duration tasks
- Ensuring scaffolds are erected and maintained by competent persons
- Using harnesses, fall arrest systems, and protective equipment where required
- Assessing fragile surfaces and providing edge protection or safe platforms
Employers must provide the necessary equipment and training so that employees can perform their jobs safely. Workers themselves must also be competent, understand the risks, and follow health and safety law.
Health and Safety Legislation for Working at Height
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 set out clear responsibilities for employers and workers. Employers must:
- Avoid work at height wherever possible
- Ensure that all work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out safely
- Assess the risks and implement control measures to protect employees
Other relevant legislation includes:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – requires employers to protect the health and safety of employees.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 – employers must assess the risks of working at height and put measures in place.
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) – requires work equipment to be suitable and maintained.
- Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) – covers safe lifting operations, including lifting people.
Compliance with these laws is not optional. Failure to comply may lead to prosecution, fines, and severe consequences for employers.
Planning and Risk Assessment
Every job involving work at height should begin with proper planning and a full risk assessment. Employers must identify hazards, assess the risks, and put controls in place. For example, employers should:
- Identify fragile surfaces and mark them clearly
- Provide edge protection and guardrails
- Ensure scaffolding and ladders are inspected and maintained
- Minimise the time workers spend at height
- Carry out tasks at ground level where possible
The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) provides guidance on how to assess the risks of working at height, and employers must make sure these measures are carried out.
Additional Risks of Working at Height
Beyond falls and falling objects, there are other hazards to consider:
- Weather conditions – High winds, ice, or rain can make working surfaces slippery and dangerous.
- Fragile surfaces – Glass roofs, skylights, and ageing structures are liable to cause personal injury if stepped on.
- Trips and slips – Tools and materials left on platforms increase the risk of injury.
- Contact with power lines – Working close to electrical hazards can result in fatal accidents.
- Improper use of equipment – Using ladders or scaffolds incorrectly, or failing to maintain them, increases the risks of working at height.
How to Minimise the Risks of Working at Height
Employers must make sure that:
- Work at height is properly planned and supervised
- Employees are competent, trained, and understand the risks
- Equipment such as harnesses, ladders, and scaffolds are safe and maintained
- Control measures like guardrails and fall arrest systems are in place
- The workplace is free from hazards like loose tools or unstable platforms
By implementing these controls, employers can reduce the risks of working at height and protect people from serious injury.
Risks Of Working At Height: Final Thoughts
The risks of working at height should never be underestimated. Every employer has a duty to protect workers, and every person working at height must take personal responsibility for safety. Proper planning, training, precautions, and compliance with the law are essential to prevent falls, injuries, and fatalities.
Working safely at height is not just about avoiding accidents – it’s about protecting lives.
If you are working on a construction project in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Kent or London, you will be considring the safety requirements of your workers. Follow the links below for construction site safety nets, crash bags hire and edge protection hire.
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