Do You Need Work at Height Training? What You Should Know

              

Is Work at Height Training an Essential Requirement for You?

All workers require training in safe working practices to ensure their well-being and to protect anyone who may be affected by their actions from harm. It is the employer's legal responsibility to provide this training, as no one goes to work intending to get hurt or to harm others. Effective training programs should include comprehensive information about specific hazards, the proper use of equipment, emergency procedures, and strategies for risk assessment. Generally, the higher the risk, the greater the need for thorough training.

Work at height training is necessary whenever there is a risk of falling that could result in personal injury, regardless of the specific height involved. This training is required for tasks such as using ladders, working on flat roofs, or even stepping through an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground. Essentially, if there is a possibility that something could happen that could cause harm, training is essential.

The seemingly obvious reason for work at height training is to prevent falls, which are the most common accidents that occur; yet, it’s not just a worker that can fall. Tools, materials and access equipment are all subject to gravity. Yet falls or falling objects are not the only risk. Overhead power cables, employees getting trapped or entangled due to equipment failure, manual handling injuries, and strike injuries, can all be caused by or at an elevated work position. Additionally, the danger of an injury suffered by an individual can be compounded if they need to safely return to ground level before receiving first aid.

Work at height training is designed to educate candidates on the various hazards associated with completing tasks at elevated positions, including access and egress, selecting equipment and PPE, loading out tools and materials, understanding protection systems, understanding environmental factors and fall protection systems.

Can I Work At Height Without Training?

No, you can’t. According to the 2005 regulations, any worker about to start a project that could be classified as ‘working at height’ must be adequately trained for the job at hand. Guidelines state that anyone working at heights must be ‘competent’ and have ‘sufficient skills and knowledge’. The amount of training, or the level at which it is specified, is not specified in the regulations; however, workers must be trained for their job role and the severity of the risks present. For example, if one of your employees uses a ladder as part of their work, this won’t require as much training as someone working on top of a ten-storey building via a harness and lanyard.

Therefore, the amount of training required can vary depending on the specific work activity and the associated risks. Yet it's essential to remember that even seemingly simple tasks, such as using a small step ladder, require proper training and competence.

It’s also important to remember that there isn't a specific minimum height that categorically defines "working at height." According to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR), working at height refers to any scenario where there is a potential risk of a fall that could result in personal injury if appropriate safety measures are not taken. This definition applies to any elevation where a fall might occur, rather than confining it to a particular height threshold.

Having no defined minimum height indicates that even if there is a potential risk of falling from a relatively low elevation, it still qualifies as working at height, as there exists the potential for injury. This broad scope emphasises the importance of assessing risks associated with all heights.

This is why employers need to ensure that workers are not only competent but also properly trained in the use and maintenance of access equipment, even if it’s just a kick step.

It’s also important to note that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advocates for a hierarchy of controls to minimise the risk of falls effectively. The most effective control measure to avoid falls is not to work at height; therefore, if the work can be avoided or carried out from ground level, this becomes the preferred option.