Educational guides on how workplace documents fit together — which document is typically completed before another, what is used alongside it and what follows. Connected to workplace forms, checklists and registers. Informational only — not legal advice; employers remain responsible for required documents and compliance.
What a working at height incident workflow is
A working at height incident workflow is the document chain for events involving height — a fall, a dropped object or a failure of access equipment. It links the report to an examination of the access method, the equipment, the edge protection and the system of work, and to the corrective action that follows.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example of how those documents usually connect. It is not an official process, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their process must include.
Why these documents connect
Height incidents are usually severe, so the response must be thorough. The report fixes the facts; the investigation examines the access equipment, edge protection, the method statement and supervision; and corrective action changes whatever allowed the fall or drop. Connected, the documents address the whole system of working at height, not a single factor.
Linking the incident to the height risk assessment, equipment inspection and any permit or method statement shows where the controls broke down. The chain organises a full response; it does not by itself make the work safe and does not guarantee compliance.
The typical sequence
- The incident is reported and the area below and around is made safe.
- The access equipment, edge protection and conditions are recorded.
- An investigation examines the equipment, method statement and supervision.
- Corrective actions change the controls that failed.
- The height risk assessment and method statement are updated.
- These are example steps only — adapt them to your process and the applicable law.
Who owns each step
- A supervisor owns making the area safe and reporting.
- A competent investigator owns examining the equipment and system of work.
- The employer owns reviewing the height risk assessment and method statement.
- Action owners own the corrective actions assigned to them.
Common mistakes
- Blaming the worker without examining access and edge protection.
- Not checking the inspection history of the access equipment.
- Overlooking dropped-object risk to people below.
- Not updating the method statement and risk assessment.
Records and retention (high level)
The report, investigation and actions are usually kept with the height risk assessment, equipment inspection and any method statement, for a period set by the applicable law and the employer’s duties. Records may contain personal data and should be handled accordingly.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
The report, investigation and actions are commonly stored as PDFs with the height-work records. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make the work safe or guarantee compliance.
Employer notes
- Examine access, equipment and edge protection, not just the worker.
- Check the inspection history of the access equipment.
- Consider dropped-object risk to people below.
- Update the method statement and height risk assessment.
Worker notes
- Report a fall or dropped object straight away.
- Keep clear of the area below until it is safe.
- Mention any problem with the access equipment.
Country considerations
Rules on working at height, access equipment and competence vary by country, and the official authority differs in each. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not legal advice.
Always confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for the safety of work at height, investigating such incidents, and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not make work at height safe and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
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