The document discusses the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) in the UK, which implement EU law and aim to reduce workplace fatalities due to falls from height, particularly in construction and education sectors. It highlights the importance of planning, using appropriate equipment, and ensuring staff competence when working at height, as falls remain a leading cause of injuries and fatalities. The document also emphasizes the need for effective communication and management when employing contractors for such work.

1. Health and Safety
Executive
Work at Height and working with contractors
Presented by
Tony Almond
Safety Topics Team

2. Work at Height
• Where did the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) come from and
why do we have them?
• What do stakeholders / industry say about them?
• Some statistics, what can they tell us
• Why do falls happen in schools?
• What can you do about it?
Health and Safety
Executive

3. Where do the regulations come from
and why do we have them?
• The WAHR implement EU law, the Temporary Work at Height
Directive 2001/45/EC (TWAHD)
• Previously, we had industry-specific legal requirements to control
work at height e.g. in construction, shipbuilding, docks and offshore
regulations
• The WAHR combine the vast majority of earlier regulations into a
single set of cross-cutting, goal setting regulations.
• They apply to all work at height activities across all sectors
(approximately 10.5 million jobs and just over a million business
enterprises).
• Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace
fatalities. In 2011-12 there were 40 fatal falls (provisional figures), 25
of which occurred in construction
Health and Safety
Executive

4. What did Stakeholders say about them?
• Many organisations, including Access Industry Forum (AIF) and
others reinforced the need for the protection the WAHR offer
• Main concerns
– guidance being primarily aimed at construction
– burdensome on simple activities e.g. window cleaning and
basic maintenance jobs
Health and Safety
Executive

5. What can the statistics tell us?
In the UK during 2011/12:
• Falls remain the one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities
and major injuries
• 40 fatalities to workers (this includes self-employed)
• Over half of these fatal falls reported in construction
• Falls from height account for approximately 60% of construction
fatalities
In the last 10 years:
• Falls accidents have been declining
• Over 80% of falls are reported as ‘low level’ falls
• Ladders account for about one in seven reported fall injuries and
nearly a quarter of fatals
• Most fatalities are from scaffolds, work platforms, fragile roofs
• Education sector are consistently in ‘top 5’
Health and Safety
Executive

6. Health and Safety
Executive
UK: Fatal falls from height
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10
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Years
No.s
Fatal
Linear (Fatal)

7. Health and Safety
Executive
Main activity resulting in falls in education
Teachers/ teaching assistants
•Putting up work and exhibitions
•Retrieving items from storage
•Putting up and taking down Christmas decorations
Caretakers/ maintenance people
• Retrieving things off the flat roof
• Cleaning/ painting and decorating
• Changing light-bulbs and other general maintenance
• Work on plays and on the stage
• Stairs

8. Health and Safety
Executive
Falls in education – main agents
Teachers/ teaching assistants
• Furniture
• Ladders
Caretakers/ maintenance people
• Ladders
• Open edge
• Through fragile surface (roof lights – false ceiling)
• Trees
• Stairs

9. Health and Safety
Executive
Work at Height – things to remember
If you must work at height;
• Take a moment to plan the work
• Use the right equipment for the job
• Make sure it is in good condition
• Make sure the surface you are placing the equipment on is stable
and that the equipment can be set up properly
• Make sure that staff are competent (this does not mean you need a
training course!)
And……….

10. Health and Safety
Executive
More Work at Height – things to remember
Don’t climb on furniture

11. Health and Safety
Executive
Where to get help
• HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/falls
• WAIT tool – helps you decide on the right access equipment
• Safe use of Ladders and step ladders
• Work at height Guidance for schools
• Some Local Authorities have developed their own guidance

12. Health and Safety
Executive
New HSE Images
Figure 3 Incorrect –
overreaching and not
maintaining three points of
contact (means of securing
omitted for clarity)
Figure 2 Correct – user
maintaining three points
of contact (means of
securing omitted for
clarity)

13. Health and Safety
Executive
Summary
• Take a moment to plan the work
• Use the right equipment
• Make sure staff who need to work at height are competent
• If you are not sure get help

14. Health and Safety
Executive
Managing Contractors
Things to remember:
•Choosing the right contractor
•Risk Management;
• need to be aware of the findings of the risk assessment
• if staff and pupils are on site think about segregation
• informing staff
• informing the contractor (do’s and don’ts)
• Communicate regularly and openly
• Manage the work – stay up to date
Where can I get help?
• Local Authority
• HSE Website

15. Health and Safety
Executive
Thank you for listening, any questions ?