Working at Height

Educational workplace-safety awareness — connected to industries, occupations, employment law, employment documents and company types. Informational only — not legal advice and not a substitute for mandatory workplace safety training; employers remain responsible for compliance, training and worker authorization.

What working at height means

Working at height covers tasks where there is a risk of falling and being hurt, whether that is several metres up a scaffold or just above ground level near an edge or opening. Falls from height are a leading cause of serious and fatal workplace injuries, which is why the work is treated with particular care.

This page is awareness only. It does not tell you whether a task is safe, which access equipment to use, or how to set it up — those depend on the task and your employer’s risk assessment, training and equipment. Wherever possible, the first aim is to avoid working at height, and to use the safest practicable method when it cannot be avoided.

Why it matters and where it applies

• Falls from height are among the most serious workplace risks.
• It applies in construction, warehousing, maintenance, cleaning and many other settings.
• Even short falls and falls through fragile surfaces can cause serious harm.
• Avoiding work at height altogether, where possible, is the safest option.
• Dropped tools and materials can also injure people working below.

Key general points

• The first aim is to avoid working at height where it is reasonably practicable.
• Where it cannot be avoided, suitable equipment and precautions should be used to prevent falls.
• Fragile surfaces such as some roofs need particular care and planning.
• Equipment such as ladders and scaffolds should be suitable, inspected and used correctly.
• Your employer is responsible for planning the work, providing equipment and training.

Practical awareness tips

• Use access equipment provided for the task and follow your training.
• Check ladders, platforms and guardrails before use for damage or defects.
• Keep a secure footing and avoid overreaching.
• Secure or remove tools and materials that could fall onto others.
• Stop and report any equipment or condition that looks unsafe.

Common misunderstandings

• Thinking only high work counts — falls from low levels can still injure.
• Using a ladder for a task that needs a more stable platform.
• Standing on chairs, boxes or other improvised supports.
• Treating this page as a substitute for working-at-height training and a risk assessment.