What is work at height?
The most common misconception in the whole topic is that "work at height" means above two metres. It does not. Here is what actually counts — and why the height figure is a myth.
The definition
Work at height is work in any place where, without precautions, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. It is defined by the risk of an injurious fall, not by how high the work is.
That means it covers more than you might expect: working above ground level (a roof, a tower, a ladder), but also at or below ground level (working next to an excavation or a floor opening), and the access and egress to a place of work where someone could fall.
There is no minimum height
There is no minimum height in the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and no "two-metre rule" — that rule was abolished years ago and never returned. A fall from a low platform, a step-ladder or through a fragile surface (such as an old roof light) can cause serious or fatal injury, so all of it is in scope. Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities in the UK.
Who it applies to
Duties fall on employers, the self-employed, and anyone who controls work at height — for their own work and for others they control. Workers also have duties: to follow the training and instructions they are given, and to use the equipment properly. Whatever the height, the work must be planned, supervised and carried out by competent people — see the hierarchy of control.
Jurisdiction
In Great Britain, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply. In Northern Ireland, the equivalent is the Work at Height Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.
Evidence the work was planned and controlled
Complys holds your work-at-height risk assessments and method statements, tracks IPAF, PASMA and harness training with expiry dates and alerts, and keeps equipment inspection records — one audit-ready picture. It is a records and management platform, not a substitute for competent planning or a physical equipment inspection.
Work at height software →FAQs
What is work at height?
Work in any place where, if there were no precautions, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. That includes working above ground level, but also at or below ground level (for example near an excavation or opening), and getting to and from a place of work where you could fall. It is defined by the risk of an injurious fall, not by a height figure.
Is there a minimum height or a two-metre rule?
No. There is no minimum height in the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and no 'two-metre rule'. A fall from a low platform, a step-ladder, or through a fragile roof can all cause serious injury and are all in scope.
Who does it apply to?
Employers, the self-employed, and anyone who controls work at height (for example facilities managers or principal contractors) — for their own work and for others they control. Those doing the work also have duties to follow the training and use the equipment provided.
Which law applies?
In Great Britain, the Work at Height Regulations 2005. In Northern Ireland, the Work at Height Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005.
Related: Work at Height Regulations explained, the hierarchy of control, and work at height software. General information, not legal advice.