Height regulations may be delayed until autumn

The Work at Height Regulations (WAHR), due to be implemented in April, could be delayed until the autumn, if a general election is held in May. 

An industry source told CJ, the regulations are currently awaiting government approval and there is a likelihood no decision will be taken before the anticipated election announcement.

“No legislation will be passed in April if there is to be an election the following month, and then we are into the summer recess, meaning the regulations wouldn’t be implemented until October,” the source said.

However, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said a 6 April date was still very much on the cards. Senior policy advisor for the HSE, Robert Vaughan said: ”No transitional period will be required, as all industries are aware of the need for good practice. Hopefully this will mean a quick implementation before any election.”

The WAHR were originally due to finalised last year. but have been slowed down by a number of hitches including debate on whether a 2m ruling should be included.

Some industries were keen to have working below 2m exempted from any new regulations.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) overruled this, because its statistics show more than two-thirds of all injuries are caused by ‘low falls’, of below 2m.