{"id":14498,"date":"2023-12-20T06:47:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T06:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/?p=14498"},"modified":"2026-01-04T10:07:23","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T10:07:23","slug":"working-at-height-a-complete-guide-to-mitigating-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hurak.com\/blog\/working-at-height-a-complete-guide-to-mitigating-risks","title":{"rendered":"Working At Height: A Complete Guide To Mitigating Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In 2023, a total of 40 people died<\/a> <\/span>from work-related falls in the UK. This is up by eleven from last year, and an increase of five from the last five-year average. Of the 40 people who died, 24 worked in construction. Such a dramatic increase in work-related incidents should be a cause for concern for employers.<\/p>

With such increasing work-related injuries and deaths, employers should proactively take measures to ensure the safety and security of employees working at heights.<\/p>

Also, employees that work at heights should be aware of what safety measures and training are required to safely work in such dangerous work environments.<\/p>

So, let\u2019s look at what both employees and employers can do to ensure a safe and secure work environment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Is Working At Heights A Dangerous Occupation?<\/h2>

Working at heights involves a risk of falling that is liable to cause injuries. Falls from heights are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and injuries. Working at height can involve working on scaffoldings, step-ladders, washing high windows, installing roofs, guttering, and painting roofs. Employers should adhere to The Work At Heights 2005 r<\/span>egulations to ensure that their employees aren\u2019t put in harm’s way.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Are The Hazards of Working At Heights?<\/h2>

There are a number of hazards when working at heights. From the obvious risk such as falling to insufficient edge protection, it\u2019s important to know these hazards if you\u2019re planning to work at height.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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1. Falling From Height<\/strong><\/p>

The most obvious risk while working at height is the risk of falling down. If the fall isn\u2019t severe then it can result in only minor bruises. But if it is, then it can result in life-threatening injuries. Also, your fall can injure others who might be there or just passing by.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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2. Dropping Equipment<\/strong><\/p>

Another hazard of working at heights is that you can drop equipment. This can seriously threaten the lives and safety of those working just beneath or around where you are working. Hence, it is important to keep your equipment secure at all times. And ensure that once you are done using them, they are kept in a safe place.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Unguarded Openings<\/strong><\/p>

When working at heights, it is essential that you cover any unguarded opening as anyone, or even you, can fall through them if they are not careful. They can be protected with a fall protection cover.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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4. Fragile Surfaces<\/strong><\/p>

Fragile surfaces are one of the biggest hazards of working on heights. They can collapse anytime, thus, hurting you seriously. So, it is essential that, before working, a thorough risk assessment is done of the surfaces.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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5. Poor Edge Protection<\/strong><\/p>

The first thing before you start working at heights such as roofs is that you protect the edges. Unprotected edges are an immense hazard. You can fall while talking to your colleague or if you\u2019re not aware of the situation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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6. Insufficient Protective Equipment<\/strong><\/p>

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as harnesses, ropes, and hard hats are vital to working at heights. If they are not present, then you might fall or can have a fatal accident. Therefore, it is essential that you check whether all necessary PPE is present before you start working.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Who Can Work At Heights?<\/h2>

Many jobs require workers to climb on often dangerous, structures to carry out their duties. Some of them are:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Roofers<\/strong><\/p>

Roofers are responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining roofs. They work on heights as well as elevated structures with equipment such as nail guns, pry bars, roofing blades, scoop shovels, etc. Roofing is often the deadliest occupation in the construction sector. In 2020, 108 roofers<\/a><\/span> died as a result of workplace injuries.<\/p>

With such a chance of fatalities, roofing is also the most regulated and supervised construction job requiring hours of theory and practical training.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Window Cleaners<\/strong><\/p>

Window cleaners clean windows of high-rises and skyscrapers using elevated platforms. These jobs are also extremely risky as the carriage taking the cleaners can fall. As a result, the cleaners can experience severe injuries, or worse, they can die.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Construction Workers<\/strong><\/p>

Construction workers have to work on scaffoldings to construct high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. Without proper training in safety and equipment handling, these workers are at risk of falls that can result in life-threatening injuries.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Painters<\/strong><\/p>

Painters also work at heights. They are required to paint the exteriors and interiors of high-rise buildings, which is an extremely dangerous undertaking as it requires the use of ladders and step ladders to reach these areas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How Many Minimum People Are Required To Work At Heights?<\/h2>

According to the law, there is no legal requirement for a minimum number of persons to be working at heights. It can either be a single worker or a team of many individuals<\/strong>. However, it is advised that the work should be supervised by a competent individual. Indeed, a single person will not be able to call for help if they had a serious fall.<\/p>

Although, on the other hand, in the case of a fall, a supervisor can raise the alarm and attract the attention of others who can then call for medical assistance for the fallen worker.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Will The Work At Height Regulation 2005 Be Scrapped in The UK?<\/h2>

After Brexit, The Retained EU Law (Revocation & Reforms) Bill 2022 is expected to come into effect, thus, spelling the end of over 2,400 EU regulations. If this happens then several EU regulations will not apply to UK employers.<\/p>

This means that the Working At Height Regulation 2005 will cease to be in effect. Although it is still unconfirmed, if the bill goes through, this regulation will become null and void after December 2023.<\/p>

These plans have raised valid concerns among many unions. Some unions have launched a campaign to save this regulation so that workers are kept safe and employers continue to prevent falls and fatalities that occur while working at height.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Responsibilities Of Employers In Ensuring Employee Safety<\/h2>

Employers should be the first to recognise the risk and dangers associated with working at heights on a construction site. They should involve themselves in mitigating the risks and providing a safe and secure environment for workers to do their jobs.<\/p>

Here\u2019s how you as an employer can take responsibility for the safety of their workers who are working at heights:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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