Work at Height Regulations 2005: What They Require
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there's a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury — this covers everything from working from a MEWP or scaffold to accessing a roof, silo or elevated plant platform. The regulations set out a clear hierarchy: avoid work at height where possible, prevent falls where it can't be avoided, and minimise the distance and consequences of a fall where risk remains. For plant-heavy sites, MEWPs (mobile elevating work platforms) and telehandler work platforms are the most common area where these regulations intersect directly with operator training.
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Duties touching plant training & competence
- MEWP operators need category-specific accredited training (e.g. IPAF or equivalent) covering the specific platform type before unsupervised use
- Operators must be trained in pre-use inspection, emergency descent procedures and safe use in wind or ground conditions
- Anyone rigging or using fall arrest/restraint equipment needs specific instruction in correct fitting and anchor point selection
- Supervisors need enough competence to judge whether a work-at-height task has been properly planned before authorising it
What it requires
- Work at height must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely (Regulation 4)
- Those involved in work at height must be competent, or supervised by a competent person if being trained (Regulation 5)
- Risks must be assessed and addressed through the hierarchy: avoid, prevent, minimise consequences (Regulation 6)
- Equipment for work at height must be selected appropriately for the task, inspected and maintained (Regulations 7-9)
- Existing places of work at height (e.g. fixed platforms) must be checked before use where safety depends on their condition (Regulation 12)
Working at Height Training
- Hierarchy of fall protection and risk control
- Harness fit, inspection and connector use
- Rescue planning and post-fall procedures
Who it applies to
The regulations apply to employers, the self-employed, and anyone who controls the work of others at height — including construction sites, distilleries with elevated platforms, wind farm maintenance, warehousing with high-level racking, and any site using MEWPs or telehandlers for elevated access.
What inspectors & client auditors look for
- Whether MEWP and other work-at-height equipment operators hold evidence of category-specific training
- Whether a genuine hierarchy of control was applied — was work at height avoided or minimised where reasonably practicable
- Pre-use inspection records for MEWPs, harnesses and other access equipment
- Whether rescue and emergency descent arrangements are planned and understood before work starts, not improvised afterwards
Related courses
Covering Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and North-East Scotland.
Need this training for you or your team?
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FAQs
Do the Work at Height Regulations set a minimum height before they apply?
No — there's no minimum height threshold; the regulations apply wherever there's a risk of a fall liable to cause injury, which can include a fall from a low platform onto an uneven or hazardous surface.
What training does a MEWP operator need under these regulations?
Category-specific accredited training covering the exact platform type (scissor, boom, etc.), pre-use inspection, safe operating limits and emergency lowering procedures, refreshed periodically.
Does wearing a harness satisfy the Work at Height Regulations?
Not on its own — the regulations expect the hierarchy of control to be applied first (avoid, then prevent, then minimise consequences); fall arrest equipment is generally a last-resort control, not a substitute for proper planning.
Who is responsible for planning work at height on a multi-contractor site?
Each employer or self-employed person controlling work at height has direct duties, but on construction sites this typically sits within the principal contractor's overall coordination under CDM 2015.
This page provides general guidance for site managers and duty holders and does not constitute legal advice. Always refer to the current legislation, associated Approved Codes of Practice and HSE guidance, or seek professional legal advice for your specific circumstances.
What the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require in practice
The regulations apply wherever someone could fall a distance liable to cause injury. Duty holders must avoid work at height where reasonably practicable, prevent falls using suitable equipment where it cannot be avoided, and minimise the distance and consequences of a fall where the risk remains. All work at height must be properly planned, supervised and done by competent people.
For plant and access equipment, that means MEWP operators and tower assemblers need training for the equipment they use, and every job needs a rescue plan. The PASMA card guide and the IPAF scissor lift guide explain how cards relate to these legal duties.