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Understanding the Regulations
What the Law Says—and What It Means for You
Plan and Prepare Every Job
Before any work at height begins, it must be properly planned, risk assessed, and supervised. The regulations require you to consider weather conditions, ensure the environment is safe, and prepare for emergencies. This isn’t just best practice—it’s the law under Regulation 4. A casual or last-minute approach is one of the biggest contributors to accidents at height, which are largely preventable with the right preparation.
Competence Is Non-Negotiable
Work at height should only be carried out by individuals who are competent—meaning they have the right training, skills, and experience—or are supervised by someone who is. This applies not just to those doing the work, but also to those planning and managing it (Regulation 5). Competence protects both workers and duty holders from unnecessary risk and liability.
Prioritise Prevention
The Regulations make it clear: if you can avoid working at height, you must. If it’s unavoidable, you have a duty to put in place measures that prevent falls—such as edge protection or fixed safety systems (Regulation 6). And if prevention isn’t possible, then it becomes about minimising the risk, such as using fall arrest systems, training, and rescue plans. Choosing the right equipment for the job—based on duration, frequency, and environment—is also a legal requirement (Regulation 7).
Inspect, Maintain, and Report
It’s not enough to have the right equipment—you need to inspect it regularly. According to Regulation 10, all fall protection systems and access equipment must be checked before use and at routine intervals, and any faults must be addressed immediately. In the event of a fall, or even a near miss, it must be reported under RIDDOR (Regulation 12) to help prevent future incidents. These checks are a vital part of keeping people safe and staying compliant.
Your Legal Responsibilities in Practice
Understanding what the law says is only half the job—true compliance starts with interpreting how those rules apply to your building's unique features, usage, and access risks. Regulations may outline the ‘what,’ but it’s your responsibility to figure out the ‘how’ in practical, site-specific terms.
Every roof edge, fragile surface, or access route presents different fall hazards. That’s why understanding the regulations means more than reading legislation—it means translating it into action. With expert guidance, you can align your systems, procedures, and equipment with the law while creating a safer, more manageable working environment.
What Can I Do?
Provide a Safe Means of Access
You must ensure that workers can reach areas at height safely. This could mean installing fixed ladders, walkways, or anchor systems—not relying on temporary or improvised solutions.
Permanent access solutions reduce risk by providing stable, predictable routes for maintenance and inspection. Designed for your building’s layout, they improve safety without compromising workflow or structural integrity.
Improvised methods like unsecured ladders or ad hoc platforms often violate regulations and increase the chance of injury. Investing in engineered systems signals a proactive safety culture and meets duty-of-care obligations.
Plan and Supervise Every Job
Every task at height—no matter how quick or routine—must be properly planned, risk assessed, and supervised. Short jobs can be just as dangerous as complex, long-term projects.
The Work at Height Regulations apply to all tasks, including those lasting just minutes. Proper oversight helps prevent complacency and keeps everyone safe from avoidable risks.
Consistency is key. Embedding safety protocols into everyday routines ensures high standards are maintained across all tasks, reinforcing awareness and accountability—even when the job seems simple or low-risk.
Ensure All Equipment Is Certified
All fall protection equipment—harnesses, lanyards, anchor points—must meet recognised safety standards and be regularly inspected. Outdated or damaged gear puts users at serious risk and fails compliance checks.
Follow manufacturer guidelines and British Standards like BS 7883 and BS EN 365 to ensure equipment remains safe, certified, and legally compliant at all times.
Inspection isn’t optional—it’s a vital safeguard. Implementing scheduled checks and clear tagging systems helps identify issues early, extends equipment lifespan, and ensures users can trust their gear every time.
Keep Documentation in Order
Proper documentation is essential for proving compliance. Inspection records, training certificates, method statements, and rescue plans must be current, organised, and easily accessible to clearly demonstrate your safety practices and operational standards.
In the event of an HSE investigation, your paperwork becomes your primary line of defence. A clear, consistent paper trail shows due diligence, confirms adherence to regulations, and helps protect your business from costly enforcement action or legal consequences.
Compliance Isn’t Complicated—When You Know the Rules
Understanding your legal duties under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 is essential to keeping people safe and your business protected. ProAltus Group can help you review your building, systems, and procedures to ensure you're not exposed to unnecessary risk.
Contact us today to book a fall protection audit or discuss your compliance strategy.
