Working at Height — Hazard Guide for UK Construction
TL;DR
Falls from height are the number one cause of fatalities in UK construction, accounting for around 40% of all construction deaths according to HSE statistics. The Working at Height Regulations 2005 require employers to plan, supervise, and carry out all work at height safely. Every WAH activity requires a documented risk assessment and site-specific controls — which must be included in any RAMS covering the task.
What is "working at height"?
Under the Working at Height Regulations 2005, "work at height" means work in any place, including at ground level, where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. This includes:
- Working on roofs, scaffolding, platforms, or elevated work areas
- Working from ladders, MEWPs (cherry pickers), or podium steps
- Working near floor openings, excavations, or edges where a fall is possible
- Working above or below ground level where a fall could cause injury
There is no minimum height threshold — if falling could cause injury, WAH regulations apply.
Who it's for
This guide is relevant to:
- Principal Contractors planning and overseeing work at height across a construction site
- Subcontractors whose operatives carry out elevated work (roofers, scaffolders, steel erectors, cladding workers, glaziers, window installers)
- Site Managers responsible for inspecting WAH arrangements and ensuring RAMS are in place
- H&S Officers developing or reviewing RAMS for work at height activities
UK compliance notes
The Working at Height Regulations 2005 place duties on employers, the self-employed, and any person who controls the way work at height is carried out. Key requirements:
- Avoid work at height where possible — if the work can be done from ground level, it should be
- Prevent falls — use collective protection first (scaffolding, safety nets, airbags)
- Minimise consequences — if falls cannot be prevented, minimise the distance and consequence (crash decks, nets)
- PPE last resort — harnesses and lanyards should be the last line of defence, not the primary control
- Inspection — WAH equipment must be inspected at suitable intervals and after exceptional circumstances
- Competence — persons must be competent and trained for WAH tasks
The HSE's WAIT (Working at Height Is Temporary) campaign and the Height Safe Partnership provide additional guidance on industry best practice.
How Workforce Guardian helps
When creating RAMS with Workforce Guardian's AI generation for any task involving work at height:
- The AI identifies WAH hazards automatically from uploaded site photos
- Appropriate control measures are suggested based on the access method visible in photos
- The hierarchy of control is applied: collective protection first, then PPE
- Edge protection specifications and PPE requirements are documented in the RAMS
- Workers review and sign off the WAH RAMS on their mobile before accessing the elevated area
Checklist: Working at height controls
| Control Measure | Notes |
|---|---|
| Can the work be done at ground level? | Always evaluate first |
| Is the access method appropriate? | Scaffold, MEWP, ladder as last resort |
| Is edge protection in place? | Specification, inspection record |
| Are fragile materials identified? | Rooflights, AC sheets, corroded metal |
| Is equipment inspected? | Pre-use check log |
| Are workers trained and competent? | PASMA, IPAF, CSCS WAH |
| Is a rescue plan documented? | Harness rescue procedure |
| Is weather considered? | Wind speed limits, wet surfaces |
FAQs
What height does work at height apply from?
There is no minimum height threshold in the Working at Height Regulations 2005. If falling could cause personal injury — even from a low height — the regulations apply. A fall of 2 metres or less can be fatal, and the regulations cover all work where a fall could cause injury.
Can a ladder be used for work at height?
Ladders can only be used as a working platform where the task is of short duration and the risk assessment shows that more collective protection is not warranted. Ladders should never be used as a primary work platform for tasks lasting longer than 30 minutes in one position. For most construction work at height, scaffolding, MEWPs, or podium steps are more appropriate.
What is the hierarchy of control for working at height?
The Working at Height Regulations establish a hierarchy: (1) Avoid the work at height altogether if possible. (2) Prevent falls using collective protection — scaffolding with double handrails, safety nets, or airbags. (3) Mitigate consequences if a fall does occur — crash decks under work areas. (4) Personal protective equipment (harnesses) as the last resort. This hierarchy must be documented in the RAMS.
Do I need a RAMS for every working at height task?
Yes. CDM 2015 and the Working at Height Regulations both require documented risk assessments for WAH activities. For any task involving work at height on a construction site, a site-specific RAMS — covering the specific location, access method, and controls — is required before work begins.
What is the penalty for working at height without proper controls?
HSE can issue Prohibition Notices (stopping work immediately), Improvement Notices, or prosecute duty holders. Unlimited fines apply to organisations. In cases involving serious injury or death, prison sentences of up to two years can be imposed on individuals. Prohibition Notices for WAH breaches are one of the most common enforcement actions HSE takes on construction sites.