The impact of the amended Work at Height Regulations

With the amended Work at Height Regulations now beginning to bite, employers, employees and contractors can no longer just reach for the nearest set of ladders or steps to gain access at height - they must now carry out risk assessments, a method statement and consider whether an alternative form of access would be safer.

Let's make one thing clear - the regulations do not ban ladders, but they do oblige you to ensure that ladders are not an automatic choice and that alternatives should always be considered.

The choice of access equipment will be determined by the height to be negotiated, the site conditions, the duration and extent of work, and the frequency of required access.

Where a risk assessment highlights the need for a powered access platform, hirers will find them to be quick, convenient to use and easily manoeuvrable - increasing productivity for companies.

The Work at Height regulations bring together all existing work at height regulations and state the minimum requirements for the use of equipment. Although previous regulations applied primarily to work over two metres, the new regulations even cover standing on the bottom rung of a small step ladder.

Employers have a duty of care to ensure that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. All employers, the self-employed and any other person who controls the work of others should be fully up to date with the new legislation. This includes site managers, contract managers, contractors, and even the building owner who contracts others to work at height.

Employers should particularly note two key areas in the Work at Height Regulations, regulation four and regulation six. Regulation four covers organisation and planning. It states that every employer shall ensure that work at height is:

• Properly planned. You should carry out a risk assessment and have a written system of work. This will only prevent accidents, however, if it is passed on to the employees.
• Appropriately supervised. What experience do your employees have? Are your apprentices competent?
• Carried out in a manner which is, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe. Common sense has to be used here - cost or history will never be an acceptable excuse.

Regulation 6 - the avoidance of risks from work at height - ensures that the areas above are complied with. It states: "In identifying the measures required by this regulation, every employer shall take account of a risk assessment under regulation three of the Management Regulations. Every employer shall ensure that work is not carried out at height where it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work safely otherwise than at height."

It is essential to ensure that you take time in the planning and conformity of future works. To assist us in compliance with this regulation the British Standard Institute has published a code of practice (BS 8437:2005) for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace. It brings together best practice in personal fall protection.