Working at Height Regulations 2005: Hierarchy of Control Measures

According to HSE, 123 workers were killed in work related accidents in 2021/22. 29 of those deaths were caused by falls from height. There were also 35,280 non-fatal accidents involving falls from height across all industries. That's 97 accidents every single day!

Working at height is a common activity in many industries, but it also presents significant hazards that can lead to fatal accidents. To ensure the safety of workers who perform tasks at height, the UK government introduced the Working at Height Regulations 2005. These regulations outline the responsibilities of employers and employees to prevent falls from height and to implement safety measures when working at height.

One of the key aspects of the regulations is the hierarchy of control measures, which provides a structured approach to identifying and implementing appropriate safety measures for working at height. The hierarchy of control measures is as follows:

1. Avoid working at height where possible.
2. Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls, where work at height cannot be avoided.
3. Use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, should one occur.

Each control measure in the hierarchy should be considered and implemented, in order, until a suitable solution is found.

1. Avoid working at height: This is the most effective way to eliminate the risk of falls from height. Employers should assess the tasks that require workers to work at height and try to avoid the need for these tasks. If it is not possible to avoid working at height, then the next control measure should be considered.
2. Prevent falls: Where working at height cannot be avoided, the employer should implement measures to prevent falls from occurring. This may include the use of fall arrest systems, guardrails, or collective protection measures such as scaffolding.
3. Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall: If the first two control measures are not sufficient to eliminate the risk of falls, the employer should implement measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall. This may include the use of personal protective equipment, such as a harness and lanyard, or the use of airbags or other soft landing systems.

The hierarchy of control measures outlined in the Working at Height Regulations 2005 provides a structured approach to managing the risk of falls from height. Employers should assess the tasks that require workers to work at height, implement appropriate safety measures, and ensure that all workers receive adequate training and equipment to perform their tasks safely. 

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