Falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Great Britain. This article summarises the Regulations’ key requirements and practical steps to help organisations manage the risks of working from height and to comply with the law.
Published 4 December 2025
What matters
Falls from height remain the leading cause of not only of workplace fatalities but also of major injuries in the UK, with the construction and agriculture, forestry & fishing sectors particularly affected. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (the Regulations) set out clear legal duties for employers and those in control of work at height, including self-employed contractors, to prevent injury and death resulting from falls from height.
The Regulations require all work at height to be properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent persons, with risks assessed and appropriate equipment used. Recent HSE prosecutions and significant fines highlight the importance of robust compliance . Employers, self-employed contractors and those in control of work at height should review their arrangements now to ensure they are meeting their legal obligations and protecting workers from harm.
What matters next
Organisations should:
- review current work at height activities and risk assessments.
- ensure work at height activities are avoided if possible.
- where such an activity cannot be avoided, ensure all work at height activities are planned, supervised, and undertaken by competent personnel.
- check that equipment used for work at height activities is suitable, maintained, and regularly inspected.
- maintain records of such checks.
- provide regular training and information to all staff involved in work at height.
- monitor HSE guidance and enforcement trends to benchmark compliance.
What is “Work at Height”?
The term “work at height” itself can be misleading, as it may suggest that only tasks performed at significantly above ground elevation are covered by the regulations. However, the regulations and the supporting guidance make clear that work at height can include activities carried out at low levels, or even at ground level, where there is a risk of falling a distance which might cause personal injury unless proper controls are in place. For example, working near an unguarded low-level edge—such as a dock in a warehouse with a drop of just a few feet—or using a kick stool to reach shelves in a shop, are both considered work at height. These scenarios, though seemingly minor, must be managed in accordance with the principles of the regulations which includes risk assessment, planning, and the implementation of appropriate control measures, ensuring that all work at height, regardless of the actual height involved, is conducted safely and in compliance with legal requirements.
Common misconceptions about “work at height” are that it is limited to obvious activities such as working on roofs, scaffolding, or ladders, or that it only applies to one-off tasks like tree work. However, the Regulations extend beyond these scenarios. Many routine, repeat tasks integral to daily operations can constitute work at height for regulatory purposes. Examples include climbing onto and descending from the bed of a lorry trailer to secure goods or using airport-style ladders for picking stock in a warehouse or stockroom. Such activities, regardless of their frequency or perceived risk, must be subject to risk assessment, planning, and the application of the hierarchy of control described below to ensure that even the most routine tasks are performed with regard for the potential hazards associated with working at height.
The key legal duties
The Regulations apply to employers, the self-employed, and anyone who controls work at height, including facilities managers and contractors (Regulation 3). Key duties include:
- avoid work at height wherever possible (Regulation 6(2)).
- plan and appropriately supervise work at height and ensure it is carried out safely so far as is reasonably practicable (Regulation 4).
- ensure competence of those involved in work at height (Regulation 5).
- conduct risk assessments and have controls in place including the selection of appropriate work equipment and training and instruction to prevent falls of a distance liable to cause personal injury, so far as is reasonably practicable. (Regulations 6 and 7).
- prioritise collective protection measures over personal protection measures when selecting of work equipment for use at height (Regulation 7).
- take steps to prevent the risk of falling objects and manage the risk of working at, near or on, fragile surfaces (Regulations 10 and 9).
- put in place, where reasonably practicable, devices preventing unauthorised entry into areas where there is a risk of any person at work falling a distance or being struck by a falling object, which is liable to cause personal injury (Regulation 11).
- comply with specific requirements in respect of equipment such as guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers, working platforms, fall arrest systems and ladders (Regulations 8, 12 and Schedules 2 to 6).
Hierarchy of control
The Regulations set out a clear hierarchy (Regulation 6):
- avoid work at height where reasonably practicable.
- prevent falls by using collective protection (e.g., guardrails, scaffolds) before personal protection (e.g., harnesses).
- minimise the distance and consequences of a fall where the risk cannot be eliminated, using nets, airbags, or fall arrest systems.
Practical tips to avoid falls from height
- eliminate the need to work at height wherever possible.
- use the right equipment for the task and ensure it is properly maintained.
- install guardrails, toe boards, and other collective protection to prevent and arrest falls.
- provide appropriate personal protection equipment.
- train staff in safe systems of work and emergency procedures.
- regularly review and update risk assessments.
- supervise work at height and check for changing site conditions.
- have robust near miss reporting systems and audits of such systems in place.
- consult HSE guidance and FAQs for up-to-date best practice.
Comment
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 remain a cornerstone of workplace safety law. Recent enforcement action demonstrates that the HSE will not hesitate to prosecute where basic precautions are ignored and that significant fines can follow. By following the hierarchy of control, investing in training and equipment and learning from near misses, organisations can protect their workforce and demonstrate compliance. As work at height remains a persistent risk, ongoing vigilance and a proactive approach are essential.
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