Working at Height: Regulations Every Worker Should Understand
Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths in the UK. Whether you are climbing a ladder to reach high racking in a warehouse, working on a mezzanine floor, or using a cherry picker, understanding the rules could save your life.
What Counts as Working at Height?
Working at height means working in any place where a person could fall and be injured. This includes:
- Working on ladders or stepladders
- Working on scaffolding or mobile towers
- Working on roofs or near roof edges
- Working on mezzanine floors without adequate edge protection
- Working above an opening in a floor
- Using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) — cherry pickers, scissor lifts
- Working near loading bays or dock edges
It does not require a significant height. You can be injured falling from a stepladder.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
These regulations require employers to:
- Avoid working at height wherever possible — can the task be done from ground level?
- Prevent falls — use the right equipment: platforms, guardrails, edge protection
- Minimise consequences if a fall cannot be prevented — safety nets, airbags, harnesses
Your Responsibilities as a Worker
- Report any unsafe conditions — missing guardrails, damaged equipment, slippery surfaces
- Use the equipment provided — if you have been given a harness, wear it correctly
- Do not take shortcuts — never climb racking, stand on pallets, or improvise platforms
- Follow training — only use equipment you have been trained to use
- Inspect equipment before use — ladders for damage, harnesses for wear, platforms for stability
Ladder Safety
Ladders should only be used for short-duration tasks (under 30 minutes) where other equipment is not practical: