WORKING AT HEIGHT REGULATIONS
In 2005/06 falls from height accounted for 46 fatal accidents at work and around 3350 major injuries. They remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 have been made to prevent these injuries and deaths. These regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury the old 2 metre threshold no longer applies.
Employers (or duty holders) are required to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone falling by:
- Avoid working at height where possible.
- Using work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where working at height cannot be avoided.
- Where risks of falls cannot be eliminated, use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences should one occur.
- Give priority to collective protection measures (eg guard rails) over personal protection (eg Safety Harness).
- Take into account working conditions.
THE REGULATION REQUIRES DUTY HOLDERS TO ENSURE;
- All work at height is properly planned and organised.
- A full risk assessment is carried out and appropriate equipment is selected and used.
- All work at height takes into account the weather conditions that could endanger health and safety.
- Those involved in working at height are trained and competent.
- Equipment for working at height is appropriately inspected and maintained.
- The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled.
Further information is available from the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/falls
or by calling HSE’s information line on 0845 345 0055.
Hirebase has adopted the 3T through the trap method for access towers.
A complete 3T safety and erection instruction manual is provided with every tower hire.
