HSE launches work at height regulations - a brief guide

HSE press release E049:05 - 06 April 2005

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today launches a brief guide to the Work at Height Regulations. The guide outlines what people must do to comply with the Regulations, which come into effect on 6 April.

Dr Elizabeth Gibby, Director of HSE's Injuries Reduction Programme, said: "This guidance is aimed principally at small businesses and those not familiar with the Work at Height Regulations. It gives an excellent short introduction to the new Regulations and how to work at height safely."

"Some in the construction industry are concerned about what the Regulations mean for standards of work above two metres. These Regulations are aimed at maintaining and improving standards for all work at height. Standards for work above two metres will not change, they are simply being extended to work at any height."

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 - a brief guide is available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.htm. It will also be available free from HSE Books (see Notes to editors).

Notes to editors

1. This guide outlines the requirements of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and what employers and those who work at height must do to comply.
2. HSE is committed to being a good partner - working with others to improve health and safety. It will be working with sectors involved in work at height to communicate the following key messages about the Regulations and working at height safely:
   • those following good practice for work at height now should already be doing enough to comply with these Regulations;
   • follow the risk assessments you have carried out for work at height activities and make sure all work at height is planned, organised and carried out by competent persons;
   • follow the hierarchy for managing risks from work at height - take steps to avoid, prevent or reduce risks; and
   • choose the right work equipment and select collective measures to prevent falls (such as guardrails and working platforms) before other measures which may only mitigate the distance and consequences of a fall (such as nets or airbags) or which may only provide personal protection from a fall.
3. Copies of the Work at Height Regulations (SI2005 N0735) are available from the HMSO website at: www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20050735.htm
4. The Regulations implement Council Directive 2001/45 EC on the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work (the Temporary Work at Height Directive). This is the second amendment to the Use of Work Equipment Directive (89/655/EEC).
5. For further details about the Regulations, please see HSC press notice C008:05 issued on 17 March 2005 at http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2005/c05008.htm

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