Falls from height kill more construction workers than any other single cause. The 2023/24 HSE statistics record 40 fatal injuries from falls at height across all industries, and that figure has barely shifted in a decade. Most of those incidents involve trades you will recognise: roofers, scaffolders, maintenance workers on fragile roofs.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 exist specifically to address this. If you employ people who work at height, or work at height yourself as a self-employed contractor, the Regulations apply to you. Understanding what a proper working at height risk assessment example looks like, and what the law actually requires, is not optional.
What the Work at Height Regulations 2005 Require
The Regulations apply to any work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. There is no minimum height threshold; working at height applies from ground level into an excavation as much as it does on a roof 10 metres up.
Legal duties sit with:
- Employers, in relation to their employees and anyone else affected by the work
- The self-employed, in relation to their own work activities
- Any person who controls the work, including clients, principal contractors and site managers
The Regulations require all work at height to be:
- Properly planned, including emergency and rescue planning
- Appropriately supervised
- Carried out in a way that is, so far as reasonably practicable, safe
Work at height may only be carried out by people who are competent to do so, meaning they have the skills, knowledge and experience the specific task requires.
The Hierarchy of Control for Working at Height
The Regulations set out a hierarchy of control measures. You must work through it in order; you cannot jump straight to PPE without first considering whether the risk can be eliminated or better controlled.
Step 1: Avoid Work at Height Where Possible
Can the task be completed from the ground? A long-handled roller instead of a ladder for painting, a telescopic camera for a visual inspection, or design changes that remove the need to access a roof at all. If the height element can be designed out, it must be.
Step 2: Prevent Falls from Occurring
Where height work is unavoidable, use equipment or measures that eliminate the risk of a fall. Scaffolding, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), and collective protection measures like edge protection and guardrails all fall here. Collective protection, which protects everyone in the area without individual action, takes priority over personal protection.
Step 3: Minimise the Distance and Consequence of a Fall
Where a fall cannot be completely prevented, reduce the likelihood of serious injury if one does occur. Safety nets, airbags and personal fall arrest systems (harnesses with lanyards) operate at this level. These arrest a fall after it begins; they are the last resort in the hierarchy, not the default starting point.
What a Working at Height Risk Assessment Must Include
A working at height risk assessment is not a form-filling exercise. It is a genuine evaluation of the hazards at a specific location, for a specific task, by someone competent to make that judgement. A compliant assessment must cover:
- The task: what work is being done, where, at what height, and for how long
- The hazards: falls from the roof edge, falls through fragile surfaces, falling objects, adverse weather conditions
- Who is at risk: workers on site, other trades nearby, members of the public below
- Existing control measures: what is already in place before additional controls are applied
- Additional controls required: following the hierarchy above
- Emergency and rescue procedures: if a worker falls or becomes suspended in a harness, how are they recovered?
- Equipment to be used: with confirmation it is suitable, in good condition, and inspected as required
- Competence: confirmation that the people doing the work have the necessary skills and training
The assessment must be recorded in writing if you have five or more employees. Even with fewer, a written record is best practice and your clearest evidence if an incident occurs and liability is questioned.
Working at Height Risk Assessment Example: Roofer on a Pitched Domestic Roof
Here is a practical working at height risk assessment example for a roofer replacing tiles on a pitched residential roof.
Task: Replace damaged roof tiles on a 6-metre pitched residential property Workers at risk: 2 roofers Others at risk: Householder and members of the public below
| Hazard | Severity | Likelihood | Control Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall from roof edge | High | Medium | Scaffolding erected with guardrails and toe boards on all open sides before any roof work begins |
| Fall through fragile tiles or surfaces | High | Medium | No foot traffic over suspected fragile sections; assess condition from scaffold platform first |
| Falling objects (old tiles, tools, debris) | High | Medium | Scaffold debris netting fitted; exclusion zone established on the ground below; householder advised to remain indoors during active work |
| Adverse weather | Medium | Low | Work suspended in winds above Beaufort Force 5 or in icy or wet conditions; supervisor checks forecast each morning |
| Manual handling of tiles on scaffold | Low | Low | Tile hoists used for transport; platforms not overloaded; materials stacked centrally on boards |
Emergency and rescue procedure: In the event of a fall, worker 2 calls 999 immediately. No unsupported rescue of a suspended worker; await specialist rescue services. Site manager and next of kin contacted immediately. Incident reported under RIDDOR if reportable.
Competence: Both workers hold valid CSCS cards. Scaffolding erected and inspected by a competent scaffolding contractor.
The same format applies for scaffolders, though the hazards will include working at greater heights, manual handling of heavy scaffold components, and the risk of striking people on the ground with dropped tubes or boards.
Inspection Requirements for Equipment Used at Height
The Regulations impose specific inspection duties. Any working platform from which a person could fall 2 metres or more must be inspected:
- Before first use, following assembly or erection
- After any event likely to have affected stability, including high winds or vehicle impact
- At regular intervals: at least every 7 days for scaffolding that remains in use
Inspections must be carried out by a competent person. Results must be recorded in writing, kept on site, and available to the HSE on request.
For ladders, a visual pre-use check before each session is required, alongside periodic formal inspections. Any ladder showing damage, distortion, missing rungs or worn anti-slip feet must be withdrawn from service immediately, not stored for light duties.
Get the Paperwork Done Properly
If you are a roofer or scaffolder, the documentation that comes with a job, such as risk assessments, method statements and inspection records, takes time you would rather spend on the work. SafeCompli's trade-specific safety packs include pre-populated working at height risk assessments, method statement templates and equipment inspection checklists tailored specifically to each trade.
The Roofer Safety Pack (19 documents) and Scaffolder Safety Pack (23 documents) are available as instant downloads in editable DOCX and PDF format at etsy.com/uk/shop/SafeCompli.
For bespoke help with working at height arrangements, site audits or training, visit www.safecompli.co.uk.