How to work safely at height

When working at a height, whether you are a tradesperson or doing a DIY job at home, it is paramount that you aim to keep yourself and others safe. There are obvious risks associated with working at a height and according to data, more than 4,000 people per year suffer injuries from falling whilst working at height.  

Taking appropriate precautions and using safe and reliable access equipment can help reduce the risk of injury and allow you to work with confidence. But what exactly is ‘working from a height’ and how can you keep yourself safe? Read on as we discuss further…

What is working at heights?

Working at heights is defined by HSE as work in any place where, if there were no precautions in place, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury.

For example, if you are working on a ladder or flat roof, could fall through a fragile surface or could fall into an opening in a floor or hole in the ground, then you are working at height.

What is the Work at Height Regulation?

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 is a set of regulations for employers who are in control of the work of personnel who will be working at a height. The regulations require those employers to appropriately plan and organise work at height to support the safety of workers. The full legislation can be read on the Government website here.

Can I work from height as a DIYer?

Yes, you can. Whilst the working at height regulations do not apply to DIYers who are not working in a professional context, it is still important that you prioritise your safety when working at a height at home. Whether you are clearing out your gutters, or painting the outside of your house, following the basic principles of the regulations can help to keep you safe and efficiently complete your job. These principles are:

1. Can working from a height be avoided? If so, then do not do it.

2. If you must work from a height, plan and organise the job – ensure the environment you will be working in is safe – might anything fall? What is the weather forecast? Working at a height in windy or rainy conditions might not be the safest.

3. Ensure you have the proper equipment and that it is safe and well-maintained, hiring professional standard equipment can help with this
    

Importantly, if you do not feel like you can comfortably complete a job safely at a height, consider hiring a professional to complete the job for you.  

What training is required to work at height?

All professional personnel who work at height must be competent and have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience. Whilst there is no formal qualification, competency can come from training courses. Anyone erecting a scaffold tower professionally, for example, should have partaken in an industry recognised training course, such as through PASMA. For DIY purposes, you do not need any training.

What types of equipment are available for working at height?

Scaffold access towers

Simple to assemble and transport, scaffold access towers are ideal for working safely and comfortably at a height, whilst working on overhead installations, repairs, construction and more. These non corrosive, non-conductive towers are safe for repairing or installing electrical equipment, as well as providing support for many other jobs at a height. With either a 2.5 metre or 1.8 metre platform, these scaffold towers allow space for multiple workers and equipment, or they can be narrow enough for use when work space is limited. Access towers have colour coded bracing to assist quick and easy assembly, and the platforms are fitted with a wind lock to ensure extra stability and durability.

Safety toe boards, stabilisers and adjustable locking castors are also provided with an access tower kit, ensuring a convenient and practical solution to your access problems, without compromising safety and security.

Ensure that the tower is correctly assembled before using it. Also consider the safety equipment that will be needed for working at height, for example a safety harness. Consider using lightweight equipment and make sure that all equipment is secured whilst working at height, so nothing will fall on to someone below.

You should use a rope or pulley system to get any tools or equipment to the top of the tower, rather than trying to carry them up. Access towers should not be used in winds exceeding 17mph.

Ladders and steps

For working at a lower level, and completing smaller tasks, extension ladders and step ladders may be more appropriate. Compact, durable and easy to store, extension ladders and step ladders allow lower level access for smaller tasks such as painting, changing light bulbs and window cleaning.

When using an extension ladder, make sure that the ladder extension is properly locked into place and ensure that the ladder is set at a safe angle to the wall that it is leaning against - the rule of thumb is for every 4 up, the ladder should be 1 out. Make sure that you have somebody in place at the bottom of the ladder holding it safely whilst you're using it. Ladder safety feet can be used for providing support to the ladder. When using a step ladder, ensure that you open it fully and lock the braces into place. With all ladders, do not lean too far over to one side and do not over reach. Ensure you are wearing shoes with non slip soles whilst using a ladder, and move slowly and steadily up and down the ladder, do not rush.

Powered access equipment

For a more advanced solution to your low level access problems - scissor lifts and low level access platforms provide the safest, most reliable and secure access option.

A Pop Up Low Level Access Platform provides immediate low level access, only taking 8 seconds to reach full platform height. The Pop Up Tower can go anywhere within an indoor commercial or industrial environment, even through single doors, and it can fit in an average sized lift. Pop Up Towers provide a much safer and secure alternative to ladders and steps, and they have a wide range of special features that ensure a safe and simple solution to low level access.

The Pop Up Tower is designed to be fully stable with a safe working load of up to 240kg, and the fully extended platform height of 1.63m gives an average working height of 3.63m. Ideal for anyone working in an indoor low level environment - including electricians, painters and decorators, air con installers and general handymen.

We also have a whole range of other powered low level access products available for hire - each is ideal for different environments and different jobs. Just call our Hire Team on 0800 808 9600 for more information!

Hire equipment for working at height

We have a fantastic range of safe, secure and reliable access equipment for hire – available nationwide, at extremely competitive rates. You can collect from your nearest hire store, or we can deliver right to your door! For more information on our range of access equipment – from scaffold towers to ladders, powered access equipment and more - take a look at or access hire section.