Work at Height Regulations 2005 explained
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are shorter and more practical than their reputation. They come down to a few duties and one central hierarchy. Here is what they require.
Who has duties
The Regulations place duties on employers, the self-employed, and anyone who controls work at height. Those who do the work must follow their training and use equipment properly. The Regulations apply to any work at height where a fall could cause injury — there is no minimum height.
Plan, supervise, competence
All work at height must be properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out by competent people (or by someone training under the supervision of a competent person). Planning includes assessing the risk, selecting the right equipment, planning for emergencies and rescue, and taking account of the weather.
Regulation 6 — the hierarchy
The heart of the Regulations is the regulation 6 hierarchy:
- 1.Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do the job safely another way.
- 2.Where it cannot be avoided, prevent a fall using suitable work equipment or other measures — collective protection (such as guardrails) before personal protection (such as a harness).
- 3.Where a risk of a fall remains, minimise the distance and consequences of a fall (for example a soft-landing system or a work-restraint system).
The hierarchy of control guide works through each level with examples.
Equipment, fragile surfaces and inspection
You must select suitable equipment for the work, manage the risks from fragile surfaces and falling objects, and make sure equipment is inspected as required so it stays safe to use. Equipment used to lift people is also subject to thorough examination under LOLER 1998. Keep the inspection records.
Jurisdiction
In Great Britain the Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply; in Northern Ireland, the Work at Height Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005. The duties are equivalent.
Show the hierarchy was applied — and evidenced
Complys builds work-at-height risk assessments and method statements that show how the hierarchy was applied, tracks IPAF/PASMA/harness training with expiry alerts, and holds equipment inspection records against the job. It manages the compliance evidence — not the competent planning or the physical inspection itself.
Work at height software →FAQs
What do the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require?
That work at height is properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people; that the risk is assessed and the hierarchy in regulation 6 applied (avoid, then prevent, then minimise a fall); that suitable, inspected equipment is used; and that fragile surfaces and falling objects are managed. There is no minimum height — the duties apply wherever a fall could cause injury.
What is regulation 6?
Regulation 6 sets the order of priority for managing work at height: avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do the job safely another way; where it cannot be avoided, use work equipment or other measures to prevent a fall; and where a risk of a fall remains, use equipment or measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall. Collective protection (protecting everyone, like guardrails) comes before personal protection (like a harness).
Does equipment need to be inspected?
Yes. Work-at-height equipment must be inspected as required so it is safe to use — for example scaffolds and many access items need inspection, and equipment used to lift people is subject to thorough examination under LOLER 1998. Records should be kept.
Which law applies where?
Great Britain: the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Northern Ireland: the Work at Height Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005. The duties are equivalent.
Related: what is work at height, the hierarchy of control, and work at height software. General information, not legal advice.