An educational library of workplace documents — purpose, who completes them, when they are used, typical fields, common mistakes and how they connect. Linked to workplace safety, workplace training, occupations, industries and employment documents. Informational only — template examples, not legal advice or official documents; employers remain responsible and using a document does not guarantee compliance.
What a working at height risk assessment is
A working at height risk assessment examines any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury — from ladders, scaffolds, roofs, mobile platforms or near edges and openings — and records the measures to avoid, prevent or limit falls.
This page is an educational overview with a simplified example. It is not an official template, not jurisdiction-specific and not legal advice — the employer decides what their work-at-height assessment must cover.
Purpose
- Identify where work at height could lead to a fall and injury.
- Apply the hierarchy: avoid, prevent, then limit the consequences.
- Record the access equipment, edge protection and methods chosen.
- Plan for rescue and for fragile or unstable surfaces.
Who completes it
- A competent person appointed by the employer.
- With input from those who carry out the work at height.
- Reviewed within the organisation’s own process.
- It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the assessor is competent.
When it is used
- Before work at height is planned and carried out.
- When the location, equipment, method or weather conditions change.
- For non-routine or higher-risk access work.
- After an incident or near miss involving a fall or dropped object.
Typical fields
- Task, location, height and date.
- Fall hazards, fragile surfaces and dropped-object risks.
- Access equipment and edge or fall protection selected.
- Who does the work and the competence required.
- Rescue plan, weather limits and review date.
- Example fields only — adapt to the task and the applicable law.
Common mistakes
- Defaulting to ladders or harnesses without considering safer access.
- Ignoring fragile roofs, openings or dropped-object risks.
- No rescue plan for someone suspended or stranded at height.
- Never reviewing it when conditions or methods change.
Document workflow
A working at height risk assessment usually feeds the method statement and safe system of work and, for higher-risk access, may support a permit to work. It is briefed before work starts; a change, weather or incident triggers a review.
See the related documents below for what is commonly used with a working at height risk assessment.
Retention (high level)
Work-at-height assessments are generally kept for as long as the work and its records are relevant, and for a period afterwards, in line with the employer’s obligations and data-protection duties. Specific retention periods vary by jurisdiction.
This page does not state a required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as a PDF
Work-at-height assessments are commonly completed and stored as PDFs alongside the method statement and any permit. Exporting to PDF supports documentation; it does not make the assessment official or guarantee compliance.
Employer checklist
- Avoid work at height where reasonably practicable.
- Choose collective protection over personal protection where possible.
- Plan for rescue, fragile surfaces and dropped objects.
- Brief the team and review after changes or incidents.
Worker notes
- Use the access equipment and protection specified, correctly.
- Check equipment before use and report defects.
- Stop and raise it if conditions or the surface are not as assessed.
Country considerations
Duties around work at height, equipment standards and inspection vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is high-level and general — it is not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that a document is valid anywhere.
Always confirm the current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for planning and controlling work at height and compliance. This page is an educational overview with a template example; it does not determine what your assessment must contain, does not make a workplace compliant 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.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
Practical, ungated resources to put this into action — no signup.