Working at height is a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Whether you’re using scaffolding, ladders, or working on roofs, the danger of falling is always present. That’s why a work-at-height risk assessment is essential. In the UK, regulations require a thorough assessment for work at height, which must be strictly followed.
A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people as a result of work activity, and it allows you to take necessary precautions to prevent the harm from occurring.
A hazard refers to anything – be it a product, system, device, substance or activity that has the potential to cause injury.
A risk on the other hand, is determined by the likelihood of that injury happening.
It’s also important to take into account how serious the consequences could be if the hazard were to materialise. As an example, if you fall 1 metre you may be injured but it is unlikely you will be killed. Whereas if you fall 20 metres the risk of death is substantially increased. Therefore:
There isn’t a specific minimum height that mandates a risk assessment; it really depends on the level of risk present. According to the UK’s Work at Height Regulations 2005, any task where a fall could lead to injury must have a risk assessment, no matter how high up you are. Even working on low platforms or steps can pose significant dangers.
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To determine whether the activity is safe or not, the hazards, their effects and the probability of occurrence must be assessed. Therefore, the following information must be gathered:
Once this information has been gathered, a subjective opinion of the risk will have been established. This will enable a decision to be made as to whether the activity is safe.
A thorough risk assessment follows these five key steps:
In order to achieve a suitable and effective risk assessment it is essential that all the hazards associated with the activity be identified.
Consideration must be given to the work that involves working at height, how the work will need to be carried out, who will be carrying out the work and what equipment, methods, materials and chemicals are to be used if any. Hazards Examples:
Having identified the hazards then who or what might be harmed must be considered. Consideration must not only be given to employees, but also the self-employed, employees of other companies, site visitors and members of the public who may be affected either directly or indirectly.
Examples include:
Where it has been decided that there is a risk of harm occurring, then consider if:
Employers with five or more employees should record the significant findings of their assessment as an aid to controlling hazards and risks. Employers should pass on information about significant risks and the steps that they have taken to control the risk, even when they employ fewer than five people.
Reviews are important; they take account of unusual conditions on some sites and changes in the way the job is done. Reviews allow lessons learned from experience to be considered. A new assessment is not always needed for every job, but if there are major changes a new assessment will be needed.
Before each task that needs to be carried out at height, you should assess the risk involved to health and safety. The following hierarchy lists the best ways in which to address the risk: number 1 being the best solution, followed by 2, 3 and 4.
Against each action is given an example of how it can be achieved. To set the scene, imagine a flat roof protected by high perimeter walls, but with a large unguarded hole in the middle: an obvious danger. There is some work to be undertaken on the roof:
| STEP | ACTION | METHOD |
| 1 | Eliminate risk | Fill in the hole |
| 2 | Protect the site | Erect a barrier |
| 3 | Protect the person | Restrict access to fall zone |
| 4 | Guard against consequences | Use PPE or work positioning where needed |
You should always avoid working at height if at all possible. If the job can be completed with the use of extendable tools, it should be. Only work at height if there is no other option.
When working at height you need to eliminate the risk where possible. You should use fall prevention systems to safeguard the site and workers such as guardrails, or scaffolding. Always guard against consequences by using fall arrest systems such as full body harnesses, and safety lanyards. All workers expected to work at height must be supplied with the appropriate PPE to do so safely. This includes safety helmets, non-slip footwear and tool tethers to avoid dropping tools.
To ensure safety when working at height, it’s essential to plan in advance. Always conduct the risk assessment prior to starting any work. Daily inspections of equipment, including ladders, scaffolding, and personal protective equipment (PPE), should be performed before every use. Make sure to secure the work area with barriers and signage to keep unauthorised individuals out. It’s also important that all workers have the skills to work at height to reduce risks. You should therefore provide adequate training to everyone who will be working at height so they are familiar with all safety procedures. Finally, remember to use the buddy system; never work at height by yourself.
Working at height poses significant dangers, but conducting a thorough risk assessment can help avert accidents and maintain adherence to UK safety standards. By taking precautions, you create a safer workplace for everyone involved.
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Leading Edge is a UK based height safety training provider and PPE manufacturer. From small teams to multinational blue-chips, we empower people to work safely at height across a wide range of industries. Copyright 2025 Leading Edge Safety. Devloped by Czargroup Technologies
