Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of work place deaths and major injuries in the construction industry (Source: HSE). In an attempt to combat this, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 were introduced to provide a comprehensive set of regulations applying to all “work at height” activity.

Work at height is any height where a person can fall and be injured. The overriding principle of the Work at Height Regulations is to avoid work at height if practicably possible.

If work at height is unavoidable, duty holders must do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent anyone from falling, placing collective protection over mitigation options.

• Work at height is to be properly planned, and suitable work equipment selected
• Collective protection measures should be adopted before personal protection equipment
• All work at height should be appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner. The worker must be provided with appropriate training and instructions. 

These overriding principles form the basis of the Hierarchy of Control Measures, set out by the regulations to manage and select appropriate equipment for work at height. The Hierarchy therefore drives Best Practice.