United Kingdom · Employer duties
Work at Height Regulations 2005: employer duties
A practical Great Britain guide to planning work at height, preventing falls and choosing suitable controls.
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Short answer
In Great Britain, employers must plan and supervise work at height, use competent people, and manage fall risks in this order: avoid the work at height where reasonably practicable, prevent a fall where it cannot be avoided, then minimise the distance or consequences if a fall remains possible. The plan must include emergencies and rescue. Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulations 4–6 · HSE: step-by-step guide
These 2005 Regulations apply in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has separate Work at Height Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005. Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 3 · HSENI: working at height
When does work count as work at height?
The test is whether someone could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury if the required measures were not taken. The definition can include work above or below ground level and access to the work position; it does not depend on a fixed height threshold. Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 2
- Assess and plan the job. Decide whether the work can be done safely from the ground. Plan supervision, equipment, access, and emergency and rescue arrangements before work starts. Regulations 4 and 6 · HSE: step-by-step guide
- Use competent people. People organising, planning, supervising or doing the work must be competent, or supervised by a competent person while training. Regulation 5
- Prevent a fall. If ground-level work is not reasonably practicable, use an existing safe place of work where suitable or provide equipment that prevents a fall. Give collective protection priority over personal protection when selecting equipment. Regulations 6–7
- Minimise a remaining fall risk. Where prevention does not eliminate the risk, provide suitable measures to reduce the distance or consequences of a fall. Regulation 6(5)
- Check conditions before and during the task. Work at height must be carried out only when weather conditions do not jeopardise workers' health or safety. Regulation 4(3)
A ladder can be suitable for a low-risk, short-duration task when the risk assessment supports it. Do not choose one simply because it is available. HSE: step-by-step guide
What should a manager check on site?
Ask who will supervise the task, whether the selected equipment fits the job, how a person would be rescued after a fall, and whether conditions have changed. These checks put the planning, competence, equipment and rescue duties into day-to-day decisions. Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulations 4–7
For learning support alongside the site-specific controls, see Safety Courses online working at heights course.
- Can the work be done safely without working at height? Regulation 6(2)
- Is the work planned, supervised and assigned to competent people? Regulations 4–5
- Is collective fall prevention used before personal protection where equipment is selected? Regulation 7(1)
- Are rescue arrangements and weather conditions covered? Regulation 4
Is there a fixed height at which these duties start?
No fixed height is stated in the definition. It turns on whether a fall could cause personal injury. Regulation 2
Must every job at height use a harness?
No. The Regulations require collective protection to take priority over personal protection when equipment is selected, and the control choice must fit the assessed task. Regulations 6–7
Are ladders always prohibited?
No. HSE says they can be a sensible option for low-risk, short-duration tasks if the risk assessment supports their use. HSE: step-by-step guide
Does the employer need a rescue plan?
Yes. Planning for work at height includes emergencies and rescue. Regulation 4(2)
Can someone still learning do the work?
The Regulations allow a person being trained to take part under the supervision of a competent person. Regulation 5
Official sources
- Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 2legislation.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 3legislation.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- Regulation 4(3)legislation.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- Regulation 5legislation.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- Regulation 6(5)legislation.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- Regulation 7(1)legislation.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulations 4–6legislation.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/the-law.htmhse.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- HSE: step-by-step guidehse.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13
- HSENI: working at heighthseni.gov.uk · Checked 2026-10-13