Working at Height

Hierarchy: Avoid–Prevent–Minimise (WAHR 2005)

Applies wherever a fall could cause injury — at, above, or below ground. No minimum height.

1. Avoid — do not work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do the work from the ground.
2. Prevent — use collective protection before personal protection:
   1. Use an existing safe place (permanent edge protection)
   2. Provide collective protection (scaffold, MEWP, tower, guard rails)
   3. Use personal restraint (keeping the worker away from the fall edge)
3. Minimise — if a fall cannot be prevented, minimise distance and consequences:
   1. Collective systems first (nets, airbags, soft-landing systems)
   2. Then personal fall arrest (harness and lanyard)
   3. Then rope access techniques

Collective protection always takes priority over personal protection. A harness should never be the first choice when a collective solution is practicable.

Ladders — When Appropriate

A ladder should be used only where a risk assessment shows it is suitable. HSE guidance: appropriate when the task is low-risk; duration is short (approximately ≤30 minutes at height); the ladder can be secured; the worker can maintain a handhold throughout.

Ladders are not automatically the right choice. If the task requires both hands or lasts longer than approximately 30 minutes, consider a tower or scaffold.

Ladder Rules

1-in-4 ratio (~75°): for every 4 units of height, the base should be 1 unit out from the wall or structure.

Maintain 3 points of contact at all times when climbing — two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand.

Secure to prevent slipping: tie at the top (preferred) or at the bottom; use a stability device if tying is not practicable; footing is a last resort only.

Access ladders must extend at least 1 m (approximately 5 rungs) above the stepping-off point to provide a safe handhold when getting on and off.

Pre-use check: cracked/bent/missing rungs, damaged stiles, loose or missing feet, corrosion or contamination. Defective ladders must be taken out of service immediately.

Scaffold Inspection — WAHR Reg 12

Where a fall of 2 m or more is possible, scaffolding MUST be inspected by a competent person: before first use; at least every 7 days thereafter; after any event that could affect stability (high wind, heavy rain, snow, structural alteration).

The results of every inspection must be recorded in writing. Only a competent person may carry out a scaffold inspection.

Scaftag system (best practice, NOT a legal requirement — supplements written records): Green tag = inspected, safe to use; Red tag = do NOT use (erecting/dismantling/defective).

MEWPs & Mobile Access Towers

MEWPs (cherry pickers, scissor lifts): operators must be trained — IPAF certification is widely recognised. MEWPs must be inspected after commissioning and at least every 7 days. Never exceed the safe working load; always wear the harness in boom-type MEWPs.

Mobile access towers: must be erected, altered, and dismantled by trained persons — PASMA, 3T (Through The Trap), or Advance Guardrail method. Inspect after erection and at least every 7 days. Check the tower is on firm, level ground and all castors are locked before use.