Falls from height remain the single largest cause of workplace fatalities in the construction sector and a major contributor to serious injuries across all industries. The Work at Height Regulations require employers to ensure that work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent persons using appropriate equipment. Every task that involves a risk of falling a distance liable to cause personal injury is covered, whether it takes place on a roof, a ladder, or at the edge of an excavation.
This working at height checklist covers the key safety requirements that must be addressed before, during, and after any work at height activity.
Why Working at Height Safety Matters
Falls from height account for roughly a quarter of all fatal injuries to workers each year in the United Kingdom alone. Globally, the figures are even more stark. Many of these incidents are entirely preventable with proper planning, the right equipment, and competent supervision. The financial cost of a fall from height, including medical expenses, compensation claims, enforcement fines, and project delays, can be devastating for an organisation. More importantly, a single fall can end a life or cause permanent disability.
Compliance with working at height regulations is not optional. Enforcement agencies conduct targeted inspections, and failures can result in prohibition notices that halt work entirely, as well as significant fines and criminal charges for individuals and organisations.
Working at Height Safety Checklist
Planning and Risk Assessment
All work at height must be planned before it begins. The hierarchy of controls requires that you avoid work at height where possible, prevent falls where avoidance is not possible, and mitigate the consequences if a fall cannot be prevented.
- A specific risk assessment has been completed for the work at height task
- The possibility of carrying out the work without going to height has been considered
- The method statement identifies the equipment to be used and the sequence of work
- Weather conditions have been assessed and work will be postponed if wind, rain, or ice create unacceptable risk
- A rescue plan is in place in case a worker falls and is suspended in a harness
Competence and Training
Only competent persons should be involved in planning, supervising, or carrying out work at height. Competence means having the necessary training, knowledge, and experience for the specific task.
- All workers have received training appropriate to the equipment and techniques being used
- Supervisors are competent to oversee work at height activities
- Harness users have been trained in correct donning, adjustment, and connection
- Scaffold erectors hold the appropriate industry competence cards
Equipment Selection and Inspection
The right equipment must be selected based on the risk assessment. Equipment should be inspected before each use and subjected to formal periodic examinations as required by legislation.
- Equipment is suitable for the task duration, frequency, and working conditions
- Ladders are only used for short-duration, low-risk tasks where other equipment is not reasonably practicable
- Mobile elevated work platforms are operated only by trained and authorised personnel
- All fall protection equipment carries current inspection and examination records
- Defective equipment is removed from service immediately and clearly tagged
Edge Protection and Guarding
Collective fall prevention measures such as guardrails and edge protection should always take priority over personal fall protection like harnesses, because they protect everyone in the area without requiring individual action.
- Guardrails are at least 950 millimetres high with a mid-rail and toe board
- Openings in floors, roofs, and platforms are securely covered or guarded
- Covers are clearly marked, secured against displacement, and strong enough to support foreseeable loads
- Fragile surfaces such as roof lights and fibre cement sheets are identified and protected
Scaffold Safety
Scaffolding is the most common means of providing a safe working platform at height. It must be erected, altered, and dismantled by competent persons and inspected at defined intervals.
- Scaffold has been erected to a design or recognised standard configuration
- A handover certificate or scaffold tag confirms it is safe to use
- Weekly inspections are recorded on the statutory inspection register
- Loading limits are clearly displayed and not exceeded
- Scaffold is tied to the structure at the required intervals
Emergency and Rescue Procedures
A worker who falls and is arrested by a harness may suffer suspension trauma if not rescued promptly. Rescue procedures must be planned in advance and practised regularly.
- A written rescue plan specific to the work location and method is in place
- Rescue equipment is available on site and rescue team members are trained
- The rescue plan has been communicated to all workers involved in the task
- Emergency services access routes have been identified in case professional rescue is required
Best Practices for Working at Height
- Always apply the hierarchy of controls: avoid, prevent, then mitigate falls
- Never allow work at height in adverse weather conditions that increase the risk of falls
- Ensure all equipment is inspected before use and formally examined at statutory intervals
- Keep work platforms and access routes clean and free from materials, tools, and trip hazards
- Brief all workers on the specific hazards and controls before every work at height task
- Record all inspections, training, and rescue drills to demonstrate compliance and support continuous improvement
How Checksheets Helps
Checksheets provides specialised digital checklists for working at height that cover pre-task risk assessments, equipment inspections, scaffold checks, and rescue planning. Supervisors can complete and sign off checklists on site using a mobile device, ensuring that no step is missed. Inspection records are stored securely and linked to specific work activities, making it straightforward to retrieve evidence for audits, client reviews, or incident investigations.
By digitising your working at height safety processes with Checksheets, you create a consistent, auditable system that protects your workers and demonstrates your commitment to the highest safety standards.