Working at height regulations

21 July 2026

Working at Height Regulations Explained: A Practical Guide for Employers and Contractors

Working at height is one of the most common causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities in the UK. Whether you're replacing roof tiles, installing lighting, painting a building or carrying out routine maintenance, working above ground level introduces risks that must be managed properly.

To help reduce these risks, the UK introduced the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR). These regulations place legal duties on employers, the self-employed and anyone responsible for planning or controlling work at height.

Understanding these regulations is essential for anyone using scaffold towers, ladders, podium steps, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) or other access equipment.

In this guide, we'll explain what the regulations are, who they apply to and the practical steps you can take to comply with them while creating a safer working environment.

What Are the Work at Height Regulations 2005?

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are UK health and safety regulations designed to prevent death and injury caused by falls from height.

The regulations apply whenever there is a risk that someone could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury if suitable precautions are not in place.

They require work at height to be:

  • Properly planned
  • Appropriately supervised
  • Carried out by competent people
  • Completed using suitable equipment
  • Supported by effective risk management

The regulations form part of the wider framework of UK workplace health and safety law and remain one of the most important pieces of legislation affecting construction, maintenance and facilities management.

What Counts as Working at Height?

Many people assume working at height only refers to roofs or tall buildings.

In reality, the definition is much broader.

Work at height includes any work where a person could fall and suffer injury if suitable precautions were not in place.

Examples include:

  • Working from a scaffold tower
  • Using a ladder
  • Working on a flat roof
  • Working from a podium step
  • Working from a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP)
  • Working near floor openings
  • Working close to fragile roofs
  • Accessing mezzanine floors
  • Warehouse maintenance

It isn't the height itself that matters—it's the potential for injury from a fall.

Who Do the Regulations Apply To?

The regulations apply to:

  • Employers
  • Self-employed people
  • Contractors
  • Facilities managers
  • Building owners who control work
  • Anyone responsible for organising work at height

Employees also have responsibilities to follow training, use equipment correctly and report hazards.

If you control work at height, you have legal duties under the regulations.

The Three-Step Hierarchy of Control

One of the most important principles of the regulations is the hierarchy of control.

Rather than simply relying on personal protective equipment, duty holders should follow three key steps.

Step 1 – Avoid Working at Height Where Possible

The safest work at height is work that doesn't happen.

Before choosing access equipment, ask:

  • Can the task be completed from ground level?
  • Can long-handled tools be used?
  • Can equipment be lowered instead?

If the task can reasonably be completed without leaving the ground, that option should be considered first.

Step 2 – Prevent Falls

If working at height cannot be avoided, the next priority is preventing falls.

This often involves using suitable access equipment such as:

  • Mobile scaffold towers
  • Fixed scaffolding
  • Podium steps
  • MEWPs
  • Guardrails
  • Edge protection

Where possible, collective protection (such as guardrails or scaffold towers) should be used before relying on personal protection like harnesses.

Step 3 – Minimise the Consequences

Where the risk of falling cannot be eliminated, suitable measures should reduce the distance or consequences of a fall.

Examples include:

  • Safety nets
  • Airbags
  • Fall arrest systems
  • Personal fall protection equipment

These measures should not replace good planning—they should form part of an overall safe system of work.

Planning Is Essential

The regulations require all work at height to be properly planned.

Planning should include:

  • Identifying hazards
  • Assessing risks
  • Selecting suitable equipment
  • Considering weather conditions
  • Planning emergency rescue arrangements
  • Identifying competent workers

Good planning reduces both delays and accidents.

Competence Matters

Anyone involved in work at height should be competent for the tasks they are carrying out.

Competence includes:

  • Appropriate training
  • Practical experience
  • Understanding the equipment
  • Knowing the relevant procedures
  • Recognising hazards

For scaffold towers, recognised training such as PASMA may help demonstrate competence, although employers may use other appropriate methods depending on the work being undertaken.

Choosing the Right Equipment

The regulations require suitable equipment to be selected for the task.

Factors to consider include:

  • Working height
  • Duration of the work
  • Frequency of access
  • Ground conditions
  • Available space
  • Weight of workers, tools and materials
  • Weather conditions

For longer-duration work, a scaffold tower often provides a safer and more comfortable working platform than a ladder.

Inspection and Maintenance

Equipment used for work at height should be inspected regularly and maintained in good condition.

Before each use, check for:

  • Damaged frames
  • Bent braces
  • Faulty castors
  • Loose fixings
  • Missing guardrails
  • Damaged platforms
  • Missing locking clips
  • Defective outriggers

Defective equipment should be removed from service until repaired or replaced.

Emergency Rescue Planning

Many people focus on preventing falls but forget about rescue arrangements.

The regulations require emergency and rescue procedures to be considered before work begins.

This means asking:

  • How would an injured person be rescued?
  • Who would carry out the rescue?
  • Is specialist equipment required?

Emergency arrangements should not rely solely on the emergency services arriving in time.

Common Mistakes That Breach the Regulations

Some of the most common errors include:

  • Using damaged access equipment
  • Failing to carry out a risk assessment
  • Working without suitable edge protection
  • Overreaching from ladders
  • Omitting scaffold tower braces
  • Failing to fit outriggers when required
  • Using unsuitable equipment for the task
  • Allowing untrained workers to assemble towers
  • Ignoring adverse weather conditions
  • Failing to inspect equipment

Most of these issues can be avoided through good planning and supervision.

How Scaffold Towers Help Meet the Regulations

For many maintenance and construction tasks, scaffold towers offer an effective way of preventing falls.

Compared with ladders, they provide:

  • A larger working platform
  • Collective fall protection through guardrails
  • Improved stability
  • Greater comfort
  • Space for tools and materials
  • Better productivity for longer-duration tasks

Selecting the correct tower and assembling it in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions are both essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Work at Height Regulations apply to self-employed people?

Yes. If your work creates a risk of a fall that could cause injury, the regulations may apply to you.

Is there a minimum height before the regulations apply?

No.

The regulations are based on the risk of injury from a fall, not a specific measurement.

Do I need a risk assessment?

In many workplaces, yes.

Employers should assess the risks associated with work at height and put suitable control measures in place before work begins.

Are scaffold towers safer than ladders?

For many longer-duration tasks, scaffold towers provide a larger, more stable working platform and collective edge protection, making them a more suitable choice than ladders.

Do I need a rescue plan?

Yes. Where people are working at height, suitable emergency and rescue arrangements should be considered as part of the planning process.

Final Thoughts

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 are designed to reduce the risk of falls and protect anyone carrying out work where there is a risk of personal injury from falling. By following the hierarchy of control, planning work carefully, selecting suitable equipment and ensuring workers are competent, employers and contractors can create safer workplaces and reduce the likelihood of accidents.

For many applications, a properly assembled scaffold tower provides a safe and practical working platform that supports compliance with the principles of the regulations. However, safe equipment alone is not enough. Good planning, regular inspections, suitable training and following the manufacturer's instructions are all essential parts of working safely at height.

At Leader Pro, we supply professional scaffold towers, podium steps and access equipment designed to recognised industry standards. Alongside quality equipment, we encourage all users to follow current HSE guidance and the manufacturer's instructions to ensure work at height is carried out safely and responsibly.

Related Articles

You may also find these guides useful:

  • EN1004 Explained
  • What Is PASMA?
  • Safe Scaffold Tower Assembly Guide
  • Scaffold Tower Safety Checklist
  • Do I Need Outriggers?
  • How to Choose the Right Scaffold Tower