Falls from height are the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities in the UK. In 2024 and 2025 alone, 35 people lost their lives as a result of falling from high places, accounting for over a quarter of all fatal injuries to workers.
What makes this such a troubling set of numbers is that many, if not all, of these deaths could have been prevented. Falls from height are rarely the result of bad luck or twists of fate, but rather of poor planning, inadequate equipment or lack of training.
Working at height is heavily regulated in the UK. In this blog, we examine the legal requirements and discuss why these regulations can save lives.
What Is ‘Working at Height’?
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, working at height is defined broadly as “Any work in any place where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury”.
This means that it’s not just scaffolders and roofers who must be wary of working at heights, but anyone working at ground level near an opening or edge, too. There is no minimum height threshold set out in the regulations. A fall from a seemingly small height can still have a significant impact on the human body, resulting in injury or even death.
Here are some typical examples of working at height:
- Ladders and stepladders
- Scaffolding and towers
- Flat roofs and pitched roofs
- Cherry pickers and mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)
- Working near fragile surfaces (like skylights)
- Working next to excavations or open manholes
- Mezzanine floors and raised platforms
The key to understanding what counts as working from height is this… If there’s a risk of falling and getting hurt, it’s working at height – even if you’re only standing on a chair (which is not advised!).
What The Law Says About Working At Height
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended in 2007) place clear legal duties on anyone involved in planning, managing or performing work at height. This includes employers, self-employed people and those who control work at height, such as building owners.
The regulations help prevent falls from height by implementing appropriate controls that significantly lower the risk.
Core Legal Duties
The Work at Height Regulations set out controls that must be followed wherever working at height is involved:
Avoid Working at Height
Avoid working at height where possible. If the job can be done safely without working at height, then take that route.
Prevent Falls
Where working at height is unavoidable, suitable equipment and protective measures must be used to prevent falls, such as secure working platforms.
Minimise the Distance
Still a risk of falling? The regulations state that you must minimise both the distance and the consequences of the potential fall. Use collective protection measures, such as safety nets and guardrails, to keep your people safe and reduce the severity of falls.
Who is Responsible?
Responsibility under the Work at Height Regulations is shared:
- Employers must ensure work is properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people
- Self-employed individuals have the same duties as employers and must protect both themselves and others who may be affected by their work
- Building owners/controllers must ensure that work at height can be carried out safely
- Employees must follow training and use equipment properly.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to comply with the Working at Height Regulations can have serious consequences for everyone involved. These include unlimited fines, prohibition notices that can call for an immediate stop to work until the risks are controlled, and even imprisonment for the most serious breaches.
The Hierarchy of Control Measures
UK law requires you to follow a specific hierarchy of controls to remain compliant. This means that you must start at the top of the list, moving down only if the option above it isn’t reasonably practicable. Let’s run through them.
1. AVOID Working at Height
Firstly, you must ask yourself if the task can be done from ground level. This removes the risk of falling entirely.
Examples of this include using remote inspection methods such as cameras and drones, using long-handled tools, and bringing the work down (such as removing light fittings to work on them at ground level).
If working from height isn’t necessary, the law stipulates that you avoid it.
2. PREVENT Falls Using Existing Safe Places
If working from height is unavoidable, the next rung on this hierarchical ladder is to use equipment that prevents falls, such as:
- Properly erected scaffolding with guardrails
- Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) with guardrails
- Fixed working platforms with edge protection
- Podium steps with guardrails
These measures provide collective protection because they reduce the risk for everyone rather than the individual.
3. MINIMISE Distance and Consequences
In some areas of work, falls are not preventable, and the risk still exists. If that’s the case, you must reduce how far someone could fall and how serious the impact would be.
Examples of ways to minimise distance and consequences include using safety nets, airbags, and soft-landing systems to cushion a potential fall and prevent serious injury.
4. LAST RESORT: Personal Fall Protection
Personal fall protection should only be used when no higher-level control measure is reasonably practicable. This includes safety harnesses with lanyards and fall arrest systems.
These safety systems always require specific training, regular inspection and a rescue plan. A harness alone will not keep someone safe if, for example, they fall and are then left hanging with no safe way out.
Why This Order Matters
The law doesn’t allow those responsible to choose the cheapest, easiest or quickest option. You are legally required to work down the hierarchy and document why higher-level controls cannot be used.
The Legal Requirements of Typical Equipment
All equipment must be in a safe condition and suitable for the task at hand. Different types of equipment have different legal requirements and must all be used correctly.
Ladders and Stepladders
Ladders and stepladders are often used incorrectly because they are so familiar. They must:
- Only be used for low-risk, short-duration work (generally under 30 minutes)
- Be set on firm, level ground
- Be secured at the top or footed at the base
- Maintain three points of contact at all times
- Extend 1m above the landing point
- Be regularly inspected.
Mobile Access Towers
Mobile access towers can provide a safer alternative to ladders when used correctly. When using a mobile access tower, keep these key points in mind.
- The tower must be erected by a trained, competent person
- The working platform must have guardrails
- The wheel brakes must be applied whilst in use
- The tower must not be moved whilst occupied
- Outriggers must be fitted where specified by the manufacturer.
MEWPs (Cherry Pickers):
Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) are subject to strict controls due to their higher risk of falls. Here’s the lowdown.
- Operators must hold a valid IPAF or PASMA certificate
- Daily pre-use inspections must be carried out and recorded
- Guardrails must be erected whilst in use
- Ground conditions need to be assessed before use
- Fall protection may be required for individuals if specified by the manufacturer.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding presents the highest risk of falling from height. It must be designed, erected and maintained diligently by trained scaffolders.
Legal requirements for scaffolding include:
- A handover certificate must be provided before it is first used
- Guardrails must be installed at open edges
- Toe boards must be installed to prevent objects from falling from a height
- Regular inspections are required (at least weekly and after adverse weather)
- Warning tags must be used to identify incomplete and unsafe sections.
Risks You Must Avoid
Most serious falls occur because people take risks for convenience. Shortcuts can save time, but misplaced confidence can arise in certain situations. Unfortunately, sitting in a bubble of ‘it’ll never happen to me’ isn’t enough to cushion your fall.
These are some of the most common risks that must be avoided when working at height:
- Standing on office chairs or desks. These are not designed for working at height and don’t offer stability or protection.
- Overreaching from ladders. A simple rule to keep you safe? Keep your belt buckle within the ladder stiles.
- Removing guardrails. Even temporary removal without alternative protection can land you in serious trouble.
- Using damaged equipment. It’s not worth the risk. Remove problematic equipment from service immediately.
- Skipping inspections. Inspections are a legal requirement.
- Inadequate training.
- No rescue plan.
- Ignoring the weather. Strong winds make work at height unsafe
- Taking shortcuts. There’s no room for ‘just this once’ when working at height.
Most fatal falls involve experienced workers taking risks they know they shouldn’t. Don’t do it.
Inspection and Maintenance Requirements
Equipment must be regularly inspected and properly maintained to remain safe for use.
Legal Inspection Requirements
Before Each Use
Perform a visual check for obvious damage and check that all components are present and working.
Formal Inspections
Additional inspections are required at set intervals:
- Ladders: Every 3-6 months by a competent person
- Scaffolding: Every 7 days and after weather events
- MEWPs: Daily pre-use checks, periodic thorough examination
- Harnesses and lanyards: Every 6 months by a competent person
Documentation
- Keep inspection records for the life of the equipment plus 2 years
- Make records available to inspectors if requested
- Tag defective equipment and remove from service immediately
Where Working From Height Training Fits In
Training plays a pivotal role in working at height safely. This is because it is essential in demonstrating someone’s competency. Being willing or experienced is not enough – the law requires that people working at height must be able to show that they understand the risks involved, know how to use equipment properly and be able to set control measures in place.
Types of Training Needed
General Awareness Training
This course provides a solid foundation for anyone who may need to work at height. It covers:
- Understanding work at height risks
- Hierarchy of controls
- When to report concerns
Equipment-Specific Training
Specialist training is essential for people using specific equipment. For example:
- Ladder safety training
- PASMA (tower scaffolding)
- IPAF (MEWPs)
- Harness and fall arrest training
Supervisor Training
Anyone who plans, manages or oversees work at height must also undergo supervisor training. In these courses, individuals learn about:
- How to plan work at height
- The risk assessment process
- Inspection requirements
- Emergency procedures
Envesca's Working at Height Training
Proper training demonstrates legal compliance and ensures workers are truly competent when working at height. Envesca offers training options designed for various risk levels and working environments.
This course is ideal for staff members who need a solid understanding of risks, legal duties and safe practices. It covers:
- Introduction to working at height
- Employers responsibilities
- Planning work
- Risk assessment steps
- Reducing and controlling the risks
- Using ladders and stepladders
Envesca offers an eLearning course on the topic, as well as a more in-depth half-day training session that can be held at your workplace, another venue, or virtually via Zoom for up to 12 candidates.
Don’t Fall For Bad Practice
Falls kill and seriously injure workers every year. UK law requires a systematic approach to keep this number as low as possible: AVOID height work where possible, PREVENT falls through proper equipment and MINIMISE consequences when prevention isn’t possible.
Understanding your legal duties isn’t just about avoiding fines – it’s about ensuring every worker goes home safely at the end of their shift.
Envesca can help ensure your workers are well protected. Get in touch today to explore our Working at Height training options.
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Envesca offer a number of different training courses, which offer advice and guidance on these topics.
Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work Annual Refresher
This half-day practical first aid annual refresher course provides first aiders with an opportunity to practise and refresh their knowledge and practical first aid skills.Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work
This three-day course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to give basic life support, diagnose and treat a wide range of injuries or illnesses.
Legionella Risk Management for Responsible Person
This course will ensure that you understand the effects of legionella bacteria and the impact an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease would have on your business.Working at Height
This Working at Height course will provide you with the information you need to be able to deal with working at height risks.Share this article with your social Community.
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