If you work at height, whether it be once a year or multiple times a month, you have a duty to partake or provide work at height training. This is a legal duty under The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974. It is essential that anyone who works from height is 'competent' in doing so.
Read on to find out more about work at height training and why it's important for the health and safety of yourself and your peers when working at height!
Do I Have to Do Work at Height Training?
If you complete any work where you could be injured by a fall, this counts as working at height. Legally, work at height training should be completed by employees and this should be enforced by employers. There are different legislations that reinforce the importance of training for people who work from height.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005
The Work at Height Regulations of 2005 ensure that death and injury is prevented when working at height whenever possible. These regulations directly apply to anyone who employs, controls, contracts or oversees any work from height. These regulations, therefore, also indirectly affect the employees working from height.
Regulation 6(3)
The relevant employers / contractors / overseers of work from height must ensure that:
- All work at height is properly planned and organised.
- All work at height takes account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety.
- Those involved in work at height are trained and competent.
- The place where work at height is done is safe.
- Equipment for work at height is properly inspected.
- The risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled.
Work at Height Training: What Makes an Employee 'Competent'?
In regards to work at height training and the regulations above, an employee must be 'trained and competent' in working at height.
This regulation is a little vague, but it essentially means that an employee would be able to take the necessary precautions to avoid an injury, and that they have the essential knowledge and safety skills surrounding working at height.
Regulations 5 and 6(5)(b)
'You must ensure that everyone involved in the work is competent (or, if being trained, is supervised by a competent person). This includes involvement in organisation, planning, supervision, and the supply and maintenance of equipment.
Where other precautions do not entirely eliminate the risk of a fall occurring, you must (as far as it is reasonably practical to do so) train those who will be working at height how to avoid falling, and how to avoid or minimise injury to themselves should they fall.'
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Advice on Competent Employees Working at Height
When deciding whether someone is 'competent' to work at height, the HSE advise that employees should be equipped with the sufficient skills, knowledge and experience necessary to perform the task at hand when working at height.
Do I Need Work at Height Training For a Short Task?
If you're carrying out a low-risk, short duration task such as guttering your roof or using a ladder to redecorate part of your property, you may think that this is a bit over-kill. In these cases, all you need to be deemed as 'competent' is to be aware of how to use the equipment safely and the risks involved with working at height using your chosen equipment.
For instance, if you were assembling a complex scaffold and planning to use it and work from height, the competence requirements would be higher as this is more complex and this task requires training and certification schemes to demonstrate competence.
In this way, the regulation is relative to the task at hand, depending on how high risk it is and how likely it is for someone to be injured when working at height.
PPE for Working at Height
We hope that this blog has helped you understand the training you need to work at height, no matter what task you wish to carry out.
Remember - working at height is about common sense and knowing the risks involved, alongside having the knowledge to minimise the risk of an injury or fall.
If you require PPE for working at height, we have a vast selection to ensure that you stay safe and secure when carrying out your tasks. If you have any questions about our products or how we help people stay safe when working at height, do not hesitate to get in touch with us!
Get in Touch PPE for Working at Height
