Working at Height
What regulations apply?
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
When should fall protection be considered?
If work at height cannot be avoided then the work should be planned to ensure that the work is carried out with adequate procedures in place to prevent falls of operatives, tools and materials.
What happened to the old “2 metre rule”?
Previous legislation referred to edge protection for work at heights above 2 metres, but now there is no defined height. All work at height, regardless of the distance off the ground, should be subject to a risk assessment by a competent person.
Are step ladders banned by the HSE?
No. But ladders should only be used for very short term work where 3 points of contact can be maintained by the user. There are however many products on the market that can be used like a pair of steps but with integral edge protection.
