Working at Height Regulations - Guide published

06/04/05

A new guidance publication - The Work at Height Regulations 2005 - a brief guide, outlining requirements of the regulations, is now available on line: Working at Height Guide

The Work at Height Regulations (SI2005 N0.735) came into effect this week (6th April 2005).
The key messages about the Regulations and working at height safely are :
 those following good practice for work at height now should already be doing enough to comply with these Regulations;
 follow the risk assessments you have carried out for work at height activities and make sure all work at height is planned, organised and carried out by competent persons;
 follow the hierarchy for managing risks from work at height - take steps to avoid, prevent or reduce risks; and
 choose the right work equipment and select collective measures to prevent falls (such as guardrails and working platforms) before other measures which may only mitigate the distance and consequences of a fall (such as nets or airbags) or which may only provide personal protection from a fall.
Comment
"This guidance is aimed principally at small businesses and those not familiar with the Work at Height Regulations. It gives an excellent short introduction to the new Regulations and how to work at height safely.
Some in the construction industry are concerned about what the Regulations mean for standards of work above two metres. These Regulations are aimed at maintaining and improving standards for all work at height. Standards for work above two metres will not change, they are simply being extended to work at any height." - Director of HSE's Injuries Reduction Programme.


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