Practical guidance for schools and educational establishments on working at height

Putting up displays

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• Whilst using wrong equipment (Table/desk/chair/books) gives way when teacher stands on it
• Person using ladder/step ladder over reaches causing ladder to topple over
• Pupil walks into ladder causing it to topple over
• Person drops display on a teaching assistant
• Person falls off step ladder whilst attempting to put up a large awkward display

Prior to undertaking this task

• Arrangements for safety are discussed and agreed with staff, and recorded as part of staff meeting/briefings.
• Staff and persons are instructed not to climb on chairs/tables or other furniture to access display boards.
• Where persons have pre-existing medical conditions or other factors which may affect their ability to use access equipment, a separate risk assessment is in place.

Options for avoiding work at height for this task

• Install washing line style assembly, using pulleys which can be raised and lowered from ground level.
• Restrict displays to head height.

If you must work at height

• Consider room layout to ensure that display boards are easily accessible.
• Displays are prepared as far as possible before putting them up
• Encourage staff to wear appropriate footwear (heel-less or low heeled shoes with non-slip soles).
• Provide equipment which is suitable for users to enable safe access to display areas (e.g. kick step type stools and properly designed low steps with hand rails).
• Areas where ladders or other access equipment is to be used is clearly defined by use of signs, and barriers used if deemed necessary.
• All access equipment is suitable for purpose, checked before use and readily available.

Safe use of access equipment

• The use of ladders and other access equipment is restricted to those trained and competent in its safe use.
• Consider the weight, shape or size of the display when working from a step ladder.
• Frequent documented checks take place to ensure the safe working condition of access equipment.
• Procedures are in place for damaged access equipment to be clearly labelled as so and procedures in place for it to be destroyed.

Placing or retrieving items stored above head height

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• Teacher knocked on head by falling items when replacing trays on high shelf

• Shelf collapses causing items to fall on person

• Whilst using wrong equipment (Table/desk/chair/books) gives way when teacher stands on it whilst retrieving items from shelf

Prior to undertaking this task

• Implement a ‘heavy box low shelf’ policy.
• Display HSE leaflets and posters on working at height in staff rooms.
• Train people in the safe use of equipment.

Options for avoiding working at height for this task

• Shelving to be placed at an appropriate height to eliminate the need for ladders, steps or similar access equipment.
• Review storage so that frequently needed items are easily accessible
• Loose items must not to be stored in high places.

If you must work at height

• Provide proper equipment for the task i.e. step ladders with handrails.
• Consider good practices from putting up displays.

Opening and closing windows

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• Person falls off ledge whilst opening window
• Pupil falls from unprotected window.
• Poorly maintained window falls out of frame striking person standing underneath
• Person falls off desk whilst opening window

Options for avoiding working at height for this task

• Install remote means of opening high windows (or mechanical openers).

• Use long handled window poles.
• Fit window opening limiters to all windows above ground floor.
• Ensure windows and doors are maintained in a safe condition.

Falls from height during drama lesson

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• Pupil falls from mobile tower scaffold when changing stage lights
• Item falls from gantry area onto audience
• Stage light falls during adjusting and strikes another person
• Person climbs up outside of tower scaffold which overturns and injures them
• Scaffold collapses during use due to unsafe erection
• Person falls through open trap door
• Fall from stage during production

Prior to undertaking this task

• Teaching staff & volunteers trained in safe use of access equipment through recognised training providers.
• Cascade training for all people involved on hazard recognition and risk.
• Code of conduct for staff & pupil behaviour in the drama studio/theatre adopted and published to all who may be involved.
• Drama department has health and safety policy detailing safe arrangements for adjusting lights, working on gantry and other related activities.
• Where staff, persons or others have pre-existing medical conditions/other factors which may affect their ability to use such equipment a separate risk assessment is in place.
• Pupils should not change stage lights.

Options for avoiding working at height for this task

• Consideration of installing lighting rigs which can be lowered to ground level to reduce the need for working at height.

If you must work at height

• Provide equipment which is suitable to the users to enable safe access to theatre/studio areas (e.g. mobile tower access scaffold, stepladders, ladders and mobile elevated working platforms).
• Frequent documented checks take place to ensure the safe working condition of access equipment.
• Access to backstage/gantry and other areas are restricted at all times and especially when stage is set for production.
• Gantry areas scaffolds etc have appropriate edge protection and handrails which are subject to frequent documented checks.

Safe use of access equipment

• All access equipment is suitable for purpose, checked before use and readily available.
• Access equipment is restricted to those competent in its safe use.
• Create an exclusion zone where necessary beneath areas where work is taking place.
• Procedures are in place for damaged access equipment to be clearly labelled as so and procedures in place for it to be destroyed.

Physical education lesson

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• Injury to a teacher when retrieving items from high girders/nets and other structures
• Ceiling bolt for trampoline harness is worn through and a pupil falls to the ground
• A pupil falls from fixed wall rope which has not been well maintained
• Vaulting horse used as platform to remove ball caught in high net
• Person falls off climbing wall when inexperienced ‘buddy’ fails to arrest fall
• Pupils gain unauthorised access to high level gym equipment during break time

Prior to undertaking this task

• Staff is competent to supervise activities and act in accordance with AfPE and national governing body guidance.
• Code of conduct is in place for person behaviour in the gym/PE department
• PE department has health and safety policy detailing safe arrangements

Options for avoiding work at height for this task

• Use lightweight telescopic pole to remove items from high ledges.

Safe use of access equipment

• All equipment is restricted to those competent in its safe use.
• Provide equipment which is suitable to the users to enable safe access to high areas (e.g. mobile access tower, mobile elevated working platform).
• All access equipment/PE equipment is suitable for purpose and checked before use.
• Frequent documented checks take place to ensure the safe working condition of equipment.
• Procedures are in place for damaged equipment to be clearly labelled removed and destroyed.
• Items trapped at high level (e.g. shuttlecocks) are retrieved periodically (e.g. once per term) during planned maintenance.

All fixed and movable equipment is subject to regular recorded maintenance and testing.

Cleaning

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• Cleaner falls from desk when standing on it to access light diffuser
• Whilst cleaning air vents cleaner falls from the workbench they were standing on

• Cleaner falls from bed during deep clean
• Cleaner falls from ladders, steps or similar access equipment while cleaning windows

Prior to undertaking this task

• Management to undertake a detailed risk assessment prior to any work at height.

• Staff to follow safe system of work or method statement.
• Use of high level cleaning equipment e.g. extension poles angled mops-brushes
• Ensure that all staff are aware that beds are not to be used as a means of access to clean at a higher level.

Options for avoiding work at height for this task

• Use of specialist contract cleaners to carry out annual deep clean, high level cleaning

Safe use of access equipment

• Cleaning staff are trained in the use of ladders, steps or similar access equipment.

Site management and caretaking duties

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• Site Manager / Caretaker falls when standing on wheelie bin to access guttering
• Handyman overreaches and falls off a ladder which is not footed or tied during use
• Site Manager / Caretaker blown off edge of flat roof when retrieving football
• Site Manager / Caretaker falls through roof void when walking on joists
• Site Manager / Caretaker falls from desk when standing on it to access light diffuser
• Site Manager / Caretaker drops a hammer whilst fixing a loose gutter striking a person below
• Ladder placed on uneven ground slips and caretaker  falls
• Site Manager / Caretaker falls from ladder when carrying a tin of paint to first storey
• Site Manager / Caretaker falls through fragile roof
• Ladder rung breaks when handyman steps onto it
• Site Manager / Caretaker electrocuted when fixing window from an aluminium ladder when he came into contact with overhead power cable

Prior to undertaking this task

• Staff to undertake a detailed risk assessment prior to any work at height.

• Consider weather conditions before planning any outside work.
• Arrangements for safety are discussed and agreed.
• Check for environmental hazards e.g. overhead cables, uneven surfaces, wet ground.
• Where persons have pre-existing medical conditions or other factors which may affect their ability to use such equipment a separate risk assessment is in place.
• Site Manager/Caretakers are aware of site specific risks including fragile roofs.
• Staff instructed not to climb on furniture, meter cupboards, bins or other inappropriate fixed or mobile structures.

 Options for avoiding work at height for this task

• Access equipment is restricted to those competent in its safe use.
• Consider use of fall arrest systems depending on nature of task, equipment and duration.

• Use of long handled tools where appropriate.

If you must work at height

• Use only battery powered tools when working at height.
• Suitable equipment for specific jobs (e.g. mobile elevated work platforms, mobile access tower scaffolds) with staff trained in safe use by equipment supplier.

• Provide equipment which is suitable to the individual users to enable safe access.
• All access equipment is suitable for purpose, checked before use and readily available.
• Frequent documented checks take place to ensure the safe working condition of access equipment.
• Procedures are in place for damaged access equipment to be removed and further use prohibited.
• Adequate and appropriate signs are in place to warn of hazards below work area
• Ground level area where access route is located is cordoned off to prevent contact with any persons who may be on the premises.
• Work scheduled to take place when persons/others are not in the immediate area.
• All fragile roof areas are clearly labelled.
• Access equipment is removed and secured when not in use to prevent unauthorised use
• Appropriate footwear is worn
• Accompanying tools and equipment carried on person are in tool belts or secured appropriately.
• Items are lifted using the appropriate equipment (e.g. pulleys) and appropriate safe system of work.
• When working on roof, Site Manager / Caretakers to maintain safe distance from roof edge.

Maintenance and repairs

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• Contractor falls when working on a ladder which is not secured
• Person gains access to scaffold and falls from height
• Items fall from roof repair work onto persons below
• Incorrectly assembled scaffold collapses injuring contractors, teaching staff and persons
• Contractor killed when he falls from edge of roof
• Contractor electrocuted when he damages overhead cables when working on ladder
• Hot bitumen spills from roof onto persons below during roof repair work
• Contractor falls through fragile roof onto persons below
• Contractor overbalances on ceiling joist and falls through roof
• Young person injured following access to unsecured scaffold

Prior to undertaking this task

• Pre selection vetting by school to include Health & Safety procedures, training, qualifications and competence.
• Contractors work is planned before/after school or during holiday periods where possible.
• School to check contractor method statements to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for safety including personal protective equipment, fall arrest systems and how the job will be undertaken.
• Issue site specific guidance e.g. location of fragile roofs, overhead cables/other site hazards to contractor and require signature for receipt of information.
• School to put into place arrangements with contractor for communication, site access, safe segregation, signage, security and other related issues
• Senior management to observe safe working practices of contractor.
• Communicate any changes in safety arrangements to school staff e.g. changes in access routes.
• School to seek further advice from technical experts in Education department/other where they have concerns regarding contractor safety issues.

If you must work at height

• Access equipment including ladders to be secured when not in use.

New builds including PFI

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• Failure to design out many of the items identified in this document leads to personal injury and increased costs to establishments 

• At the design stage use the above best practice to eliminate/reduce risks from working at height

Information, communication
technology

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• Technician overreaches and falls off a ladder which is not footed or tied during use

• Technician falls off table while changing projector lamps
• While fitting ceiling projector the technician falls while using steps of an unsuitable height

Prior to undertaking this task

• Staff instructed not to climb on furniture, meter cupboards, bins or other inappropriate fixed or mobile structures.

• Staff to undertake a suitable risk assessment prior to any work at height.
• Staff to follow agreed safe systems of work.

If you must work at height

• All equipment is restricted to those competent in its safe use.
• Provide equipment which is suitable to the users to enable safe access to high areas (e.g. mobile access tower, mobile elevated working platform).