Working at height
Excluding work-related illnesses, falls from height are the most common cause of workplace deaths and falls from low heights cause 60% of injuries.
You are judged to be working at height if there is a possibility of falling and thereby getting injured – it doesn’t matter how high you are.
Working at height regulations are designed to prevent falls in the workplace and keep workers safe. Your employer must prevent you doing unnecessary work at height wherever possible.
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Working at height: an introduction
When you do a task that involves a risk of falling and liable to cause personal injury, you are working at height. Tasks at height include anything from stacking shelves using a step to cleaning high windows on an elevated platform. You do not have to be very high to fall and injure yourself.
Working at height can also (but not always) include work below ground such as in basements and cellars.
Employer responsibilities
Employers must avoid making workers work at height if possible. Using equipment or adjusting the task may help you avoid working at height.
If working at height cannot be avoided your employer must:
- assess all risks;
- plan, organise, and supervise the work thoroughly and ensure it is carried out in a safe manner;
- ensure those involved in the work (including the planning, organising, supervising, and carrying out) are competent;
- make sure the working area is safe and, so far as possible, includes features to prevent a fall (such as a railing);
- provide suitable measures (such as using an existing place or work or means of access) or if not possible, then suitable equipment to prevent falls – and ensure they are used, with preference to collective systems (such as a physical barrier) where possible and personal systems (such as a harness) where not;
- where a risk of falling remains, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequence of any fall if possible, and if not, so far as possible, provide additional training and/or instruction to prevent the risk of falling;
- inspect and maintain work and safety equipment on each use or as appropriate;
- except for members of an emergency service acting in an emergency, only allow working at height when weather conditions make it safe to do so;
- prevent where possible or otherwise minimise risks posed by fragile surfaces or falling objects (including not working on or near or passing across fragile surfaces if possible, or otherwise displaying prominent signs);
- create a plan for dealing with emergencies and for rescues.
Ladders and stepladders
Ladders and stepladders may be used for work at height, but only if a risk assessment shows that it is low risk and either for a short duration (15-30 minutes) or where features on the site mean an alternative is not possible.
Ladders or stepladders should only be used for work that is not heavy or strenuous. Both feet and at least one hand should always be in contact with the ladder while working, although some risk assessed work may be permitted without holding onto stepladders only.
If you believe you need legal advice because you have suffered an injury that you think was caused by your employer’s negligence, you can access that legal help by calling UNISON direct on 0800 0 857857. Visit our legal support page for more information.
Frequently asked questions
Legal disclaimer
The information contained within this article is not a complete or final statement of the law and is based on the laws of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
While UNISON has sought to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date, it is not responsible and will not be held liable for any inaccuracies and their consequences, including any loss arising from relying on this information. If you are a UNISON member with a legal problem, please contact your branch or region as soon as possible for advice, or for non-employment matters call UNISONdirect.