Working at Height: The UK's Biggest Construction Killer
Falls from height are consistently the leading cause of fatal accidents in the UK construction industry, responsible for approximately 40-50% of all construction deaths each year. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 were introduced to address this devastating toll and establish a clear framework for managing the risks of working at height.
Understanding these regulations is essential for every construction worker, not just those who regularly work at height. Any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury is classified as work at height. This includes work on ladders, scaffolds, roofs, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), and even work near unprotected edges or openings at any level.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (as amended) apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. They place duties on employers, the self-employed, and anyone who controls the work of others. The Regulations establish a clear hierarchy for managing work at height:
- Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so
- Prevent falls using an existing safe place of work or appropriate work equipment (guardrails, working platforms)
- Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall using collective measures (safety nets, airbags) or personal measures (safety harnesses, fall arrest systems)
Ladder Safety on Construction Sites
Ladders are one of the most commonly used and most commonly misused items of work equipment on construction sites. While they are sometimes appropriate for short-duration, light-duty tasks, they should never be the default choice for work at height. Key ladder safety points include:
- Ladders should only be used when a risk assessment shows they are the most appropriate option
- The 1-in-4 rule: for every 4 metres of height, the base should be 1 metre from the wall (75-degree angle)
- Ladders must extend at least 1 metre (3 rungs) above the landing point
- Always maintain three points of contact while climbing or descending
- Ladders must be inspected before each use and secured at the top, bottom, or both
- Do not overreach — your belt buckle should remain within the stiles
- Never carry heavy or bulky loads while climbing a ladder
Scaffold Safety Requirements
Scaffolding is one of the most critical safety systems on a construction site. Scaffolds must be erected, altered and dismantled by trained and competent scaffolders, typically holding a CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) qualification. Key requirements include:
- Guardrails at a minimum height of 950mm from the working platform
- Toe boards at least 150mm high to prevent materials falling
- Mid-rails to ensure gaps do not exceed 470mm
- Inspection by a competent person before first use, every 7 days, and after any event that could affect stability
- Scaffold tag systems (green for safe, amber for modification, red for unsafe)
- Adequate foundations, base plates, and sole boards on all standards
Edge Protection and Fall Prevention
Edge protection must be provided at any point where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. This includes open floor edges, stairwell openings, roof edges, lift shafts, and any other unprotected voids. The Regulations specify that collective protection (such as guardrails) is preferred over personal protection (such as harnesses) because it protects everyone in the area without relying on individual compliance.
Harnesses and Fall Arrest Systems
When collective fall prevention is not practicable, personal fall protection systems may be used. These include work restraint systems (which prevent the wearer from reaching a fall edge) and fall arrest systems (which catch a person who has already begun to fall). Key points include:
- Full-body harnesses must be used — waist belts alone are not acceptable for fall arrest
- Anchor points must be capable of supporting at least 12kN per person
- Adequate clearance distance must be calculated to ensure the worker does not hit the ground
- Harnesses must be inspected before each use and formally examined every 6-12 months by a competent person
- Workers must be trained in the correct use, adjustment and inspection of harness systems
A fall from as little as 2 metres can be fatal. There is no minimum height threshold in the Work at Height Regulations — if someone could fall and be injured, the Regulations apply.