Working at heights (OBUHSN-42)

A place is ‘at height’ if a person could be injured by falling from it, even if it is at or below ground level. For example a person standing at ground level could sustain an injury if they were to fall into a trench. The regulations do not designate a minimum height at which they apply, but refer to any height at which a fall may cause an injury.

Before work at height begins, a risk assessment must be carried out and appropriate measures put in place in order to reduce the risk of injury to the person(s) working at height or to other persons in the vicinity. Methods for caring out risk assessments are given in the University Health and Safety Notice OBUHSN-36.

When carrying out a risk assessment, consideration should be given to the following:

• the training, the instruction given to and the competence of the person(s) who will carry out the work at height
• the type of equipment to be used, such as ladders or scaffolding to reach the high level. See section 6 below for guidance in the selection and use of such equipment
• the risk of a person falling. This must include the risk a person falling through a structure such as a fragile roof or a roof light
• the risk of objects falling
• the risk of overhead power cables
• the weather conditions
• any other relevant site specific considerations.

Having carried out the risk assessment, except in the case of low risk work, a method statement should be drawn up. The method statement, including sketches if necessary, will clarify to all who are carrying out the work how it is to be done safely.

In order to access the location where work at height is to be carried out, it will often be necessary to make use of equipment such as steps, ladders, scaffolding, or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP). The equipment which is to be used should be selected and utilised in order to minimise the risk of injury to those working at height or to others in the vicinity of the work. Guidance in the use of this type of equipment is given below.

Steps or ladders may only be used if they have a label which indicates their class. Class 1 (industrial use) steps or ladders for loads (including the weight of the person using the ladder) of up to 130kg, or EN1312 (commercial use) steps or ladders for loads up to 115kg should be used on University business. Class III (domestic use) ladders are prohibited.

Before every use, steps or ladders should be examined to ensure that they are in good condition. Ladders must not be used if they are bent, have missing or damaged feet, have damaged, loose or missing rungs. Stepladders must not be used if the fixings for the locking bars are loose or damaged or if the platform is damaged or does not properly engage. 

Those erecting scaffolding must be fully trained and competent in the erection and operation of the equipment.

When intending to use Tower Scaffolding it must be ensured that:

• before work begins a risk assessment has been carried out and appropriate measures are put in place in order to reduce the risk of injury to the person(s) working with the scaffolding or other persons in the neighbourhood. Methods for caring out risk assessments are given in the University Safety Notice OBUHSN-36
• those erecting and utilising the scaffolding are fully trained, competent and fit to use the equipment
• the appropriate methods are used for assembling the tower, to minimise the risk of a person falling from the tower whilst it is being erected. Either the ‘advanced guard rail system’ or ‘through the trap’ method should be utilised.
• stabilisers or outriggers are deployed according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• the equipment has been inspected prior to use and has been maintained according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• the ground conditions are suitable and do not give rise to a risk of the scaffolding becoming unstable or overturning.
• the work area is free from hazards or obstructions such as passing traffic or live power lines
• the working platforms are equipped with guardrails at at least 950mm above the platform, with an intermediate guardrail so that the unprotected gap does not exceed 470mm.
• the working platform is equipped with toe boards to minimise the risk of falling objects.
• once in erected and before use an inspection reports completed.

Detailed guidance for the use of Tower Scaffold may be found in the HSE Information. 

To comply with the Work at Height Regulations, inspections of scaffolds and other work platforms for construction work over two meters high, including tower scaffolds and MEWP must be carried out by a competent person, with appropriate experience, knowledge and qualification. When put in place by University personnel, the inspections will be made by competent University staff. The inspection should be carried out before first use, after substantial alteration, following events, such as high winds likely to have affected stability and at regular intervals not exceeding seven days.

If providing working platforms or edge protection is not possible or reasonably practical, alternative methods will need to be utilised to minimise the risk of falls.

• be competent to check their equipment for defects and do this before every use;
• be suitably trained and assessed for competency in the use of the equipment
• select the appropriate fall protection systems and equipment for the particular application;
• have read and understood the product information before using the equipment;
• have checked that the components in the system are compatible.