Working at height is one of the biggest risks in construction, often leading to serious injuries and fatalities. Despite regulations, recent construction site safety inspections indicate that planning for work at height is often overlooked, resulting in unsafe working conditions and unsuitable equipment choices.
As a health and safety consultant with extensive experience, I want to highlight the responsibilities under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) for those planning and undertaking work at height.
Understanding Legal Responsibilities
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR) provides a legal framework to reduce falls and ensure safety. These rules apply to all employers, self-employed individuals, and those overseeing work at height.
Key responsibilities under WAHR include:
- Avoiding work at height where possible
- Using appropriate equipment to prevent falls
- Implementing fall protection systems where required
Responsibilities Under CDM 2015
Duty holders in construction projects have specific obligations:
- Clients must ensure arrangements for safe working at height.
- Principal Designers should eliminate or reduce risks.
- Principal Contractors must ensure safe working practices.
- Contractors should implement effective safety measures.
- Workers need to follow training and guidance.
👉 Further Information: HSE Work at Height Guidance
Common Planning Failures Leading to Increased Risks
From our observations, typical issues include:
- Lack of work at height considerations in early project planning
- Use of incorrect access equipment
- Absence of guardrails or scaffolding
- Poor worker training on safety measures
- Insufficient risk assessments for work at height
Case Study: Work at Height Failures on Site
A recent health and safety inspection identified multiple work at height safety failures, including:
- Scaffolds missing proper fall protection at window and door openings, exposing workers to significant fall risks.
- Incomplete tower scaffolds that were unstable and unsafe, requiring dismantling and reassembly.
- Temporary platforms and trestles without toe boards, increasing the risk of operatives slipping or falling from height.
These preventable issues underscore the importance of early planning, risk assessment, and proper execution of safety measures on construction sites.
Best Practices for Safe Work at Height
1. Prioritise Early Planning
Identifying risks at the design stage is crucial. Principal Designers should evaluate alternative construction techniques that reduce or eliminate work at height risks.
2. Choose the Right Equipment
Select appropriate access platforms (e.g., scaffolds, MEWPs, towers) that are well-maintained and suitable for the task.
👉 More Details: Step by Step guide
3. Conduct Comprehensive Risk Assessments
Under CDM 2015, risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) must:
- Identify hazards (e.g., unprotected edges, weather conditions)
- Outline safe work methods (e.g., scaffolding, fall arrest systems)
- Include emergency rescue plans
4. Prioritise Collective Protection Measures
Fall protection should focus on collective measures, including:
✅ Guardrails and edge barriers
✅ Properly constructed scaffolding
✅ Safety net systems
Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as harnesses, should only be used if collective measures are impractical.
5. Ensure Training and Competency
All workers conducting work at height must be properly trained and competent.
Training requirements include:
- Safe use of ladders and access platforms
- Harness inspection and correct usage
- MEWP operation certification
6. Regular Equipment Inspections and Supervision
- Scaffolds and access platforms require weekly inspections.
- Site supervisors must monitor safe work practices.
Conclusion
Ignoring work at height risks can lead to serious consequences. Through proper planning, selecting appropriate equipment, and enforcing supervision, duty holders can significantly reduce the likelihood of falls.
Need Expert Advice?
At Refocus Safety Ltd, we provide Construction Health and Safety advice and CDM advisory services, workplace inspections, and training to help keep your site safe and compliant.
👉 Stay Safe, Stay Compliant!