Working at Height
Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of death and serious injury in construction. This chapter covers the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and safe use of ladders, platforms and roofs.
The hierarchy for work at height
First avoid working at height where you can. If you cannot, prevent falls using guard rails, working platforms or a suitable access method. Only then use equipment that minimises the distance and consequences of a fall, such as fall arrest.
Ladders and platforms
Ladders are for short-duration, light work. Check they are undamaged, on firm level ground, secured, and set at about a 75-degree angle. For longer or heavier work use a tower or MEWP, and clip your harness to the designated anchor point in a MEWP basket.
Fragile surfaces
Never walk on fragile roofs or rooflights. Use crawling boards, staging, covers or guard rails, and treat all rooflights as fragile. Assume a surface is fragile unless you know otherwise.