FTQ’s – Working At Height

Question
What is the definition of working at height? 

Answer
Any height from which an injury may occur. It include falling into lower heights from ground level. It does not include a fall from ground level onto ground level – this is a slip or trip incident. 

Question
When working on a scaffold, are you working at height? 

Answer
Technically – no, as you are in a protected area and working from zero height (the scaffold planks). However, the answer, according to the Working at Height Regulations 2005, is YES.

This is to ensure that the inherent hazard of either falling from the scaffold or being struck by falling objects (including people!) is fully considered when using scaffolding as a working at height platform.

Question
If you are working on a flat roof (or any other at height structure) and are at least 2m away from any leading edge, are you working at heught? 

Answer
No. The WAH Regs 2005 state that if you are 2m or more away from any drop / leading edge etc., then the WAH Regs 2005 do not apply. 

Question
Has the HSE banned the use of stilts? 

Answer
No – but with caveats. The person using stilts (plasterers commonly like to use them) has to be trained and competent to use the particular design being worn. In addition, the working environment must be conducive to using stilts, namely a flat, level floor area, free of trip / slip hazards, clear and without holes and other penetrations. In addition and ideally, a high chair / ledge / other facility should be available so the stilt wearer can have a rest without taking off their silts. It is best practice to have an assistant and steps from which to put on and take off the stilts.

Properly used, they can be an excellent working at height platform and saves either boarding out a room for ceiling / wall plastering or the operative repeatedly accessing / moving a fixed/mobile working at height platform. However, they are not for the faint hearted and need particular skills to use safely.

Question
Has the HSE banned the use of Step ladders? 

Answer
No – but with caveats. Step ladders (and ladders being used as working platforms rather than a means of acccess) should only be used for short durations, for light work and in good environments. Three points of contact must be maintained at all times. While working, three points of contact can be both feet plus your stomach / torso. Ladders must be subject to regular inspections, stored / transported correctly, set out correctly and used by trained & competent persons. A ladder register must be maintained. 

Question
Has the HSE banned the use of trestles? 

Answer
No – but with caveats. Testles when used as a working at height platform, must have edge protection, safe means of (gated) access, regularly inspected, erected by a trained / competent person and correctly stored/transported. A correctly assembled trestle suitable for persons working at height will resemble a portion of scaffolding. 

Question
Can you use a hop-up / ladder / other working at height platforms on scaffolding? 

Answer
Yes – but with caveats. If they are used at least 2m away from any leading edge while on the scaffold, then no further controls are necessary, otherwise a third hand rail may have to be installed on any leading edge within the 2m zone.

The third (or even fourth) extra hand rail must be at a height whereby there is no more than 450 mm from the handrail below it and between 950 mm and 1100 mm above the height of the hop-up/ladder etc. Using WAH platforms of this nature on scaffolding should be considered as the last resort and only for short, one-off tasks. An extra “lift” or enclosed addition scaffolding area should be installed as the primary solution to working at extra height on scaffolding.

Question
When working on stairs, are you working at height? 

Answer
No – the WAH Regulations 2005 state that if you are standing on stairs to complete a task (decorating/installing/fixing handrails etc.) then you are not working at height. However, if you use a stair ladder/platform etc. then you are definitely working at height. 

Question
What is the working at height hierarchy of control? 

Answer
You must endeavour not to work at height, if possible (elimination). If it is not possible to avoid WAH, then collective and passive controls (edge protection / scaffolding / installation of fixed barriers etc.) must be considered first. PPE (man-safe systems / fall protect / fall arrest systems) must be the last resort. 

Question
Are scaftags mandatory under H&S law/regulations? 

Answer
No – but scaffolds must be inspected at least weekly and if any event (accident/weather/interference) may have compromised the scaffold integrity. The results of the weekly / other inspections must be recorded in a scaffold inspection register. The use of scaffold tags in addition to the inspection register is good practice, as it is an immediate and in-situ sign to anyone wishing to use the scaffold. 

Question
Who can erect and alter scaffolding?

Answer
Only persons who are competent to do so – this is a combination of qualification, experience and abilities. However, non-competent persons can work under the direct supervision of competent persons. Therefore, if scaffolding needs minor alteration, such alteration may be conducted by someone under the direct supervision of a qualified and competent scaffold erector. This is concept / arrangement is not limited to scaffolding. 

Question
How many classes of ladder are there and what are they? 

Answer
Three – domestic, commercial and industrial. They are normally identified by a colour coded label. Red is domestic, Green (or white) is commercial and Blue indicates industrial. Domestic ladders are not allowed on constructon sites / in the workplace as they are normally constructed for occasional and light use only and a low user wight restriction. Use of domestic ladders in the workplace may also invalidate insurance.

Commercial ladders are normally identified with a white label and the code “EN 131” or a blue label. These are manufactured for regular use within a “normal” workplace, including construction sites and have a higher user weight rating.

Industrial ladders are built for continuous use in harsher conditions than those encountered in “normal” environments – exposure to the elements / air-borne chemicals etc.

All ladders (of all types) used in any workplace must be subject regular inspections (with registers), uniquely identified and be fit for purpose at all times.

Any ladder taken out of commission should be either immediately taken from the site and disposed of or cut up if placed into a site / workplace bin or skip. Serious injuries have occured to people who have retrieved ladders from bins/skips and then used them, only for the ladder to then collapse while the person is working at height from the ladder.