Working at Height: 7 Rules That Prevent Falls

Falls from height remain one of the main causes of serious injury and death at work. Whether you work on a scaffold, a roof, a ladder or a mobile platform, these seven rules reduce the risk.

1. Avoid working at height if you can

The safest fall is the one that never happens. Can the task be done from the ground with an extension pole, or can parts be prefabricated at low level? Always ask this first.

2. Plan every job

Write a simple method statement: who is doing what, with which equipment, in what weather, and how an emergency will be handled. Include other trades working nearby.

3. Use collective protection before personal protection

Guardrails, toe boards, safe platforms and nets protect everyone at once. A harness protects only the person wearing it, and only if it is used correctly. Choose the higher-level control whenever possible.

4. Use competent people

Anyone who works at height, and anyone who builds or inspects the access equipment, should be trained for that job. Look at our Work at Height Safety, Scaffolding Inspector and Scaffold Erection & Dismantling courses.

5. Inspect equipment before every use

• Harnesses: webbing cuts, frayed stitching, damaged buckles, expired inspection tags.
• Lanyards and anchor points: correct rating, no deformation or corrosion.
• Ladders and scaffolds: stable base, intact rungs, current inspection tag.

Remove damaged items from service immediately.

6. Respect weather and surroundings

Strong wind, rain, ice and poor light all raise the risk. Stop work when conditions are unsafe, and keep the area below barricaded so falling objects do not hit anyone.

7. Have a rescue plan

A person hanging in a harness can lose consciousness quickly and may suffer serious harm if not rescued promptly. Decide in advance how you will bring someone down, who will do it, and what equipment is needed. Never rely on emergency services alone.

Keep your team safe

Safety Talk offers practical training for site teams. See our services or contact a branch to arrange training for your crew.

Ladder safety tips

• Use ladders only for short, light work when a safer platform is not practical.
• Place the base on firm, level ground at the correct angle, and secure the top or have someone foot it.
• Keep three points of contact and face the ladder when climbing.
• Never overreach; move the ladder instead.
• Check the ladder for damage and a current inspection tag every time.

Warning signs on a scaffold

Do not use a scaffold that has missing guardrails, loose planks, bent frames, no base plates or no inspection tag. Report it and tell others to stay off until a competent person has checked it.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as working at height?

Any place where a person could fall a distance and be injured, including roofs, ladders, platforms and even edges of excavations.

Is a harness always required?

No. Guardrails, platforms and nets are preferred because they protect everyone. A harness is used when those measures cannot be provided.

How often should harnesses be inspected?

Before every use, and by a competent person at the interval set by the manufacturer and local regulations.