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International Work at Height Skills
Highfield Place, Shaw Wood Business Park, Shaw Wood Way, Wheatley Hills, Doncaster, DN2 5TB UK Tel: 0845 2260350 Tel: 01302 363277
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The UK and Middle East’s leading supplier of compliance, work-based learning and apprenticeship training materials.
● Established in 1982, a family-run business with over 250 staff across the UK and Middle East
● A market leader for multiple qualifications
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● Over 15,000 training centres and trainers deliver Highfield qualifications across the globe
● Over 500 unique supporting training products
● Over 250 qualifications available.
About Highfield
● Fire escapes ● Toilets ● Smoking
Drinks ● Breaks ● Lunch
Questions ● Talking over others ● Respect others’ points of view ● Timekeeping
As a courtesy to others please set your mobile phone to SILENT MODE.
Highfield PowerPoint presentations
To improve the knowledge and skills of all learners who may work at height during their employment
Course aims
To be informative and enjoyable.
Course objectives
Learners will be able to understand the hazards from work at height and its equipment and to apply that knowledge to reduce the risk of injury to themselves and others
Course scope
This course does not qualify the learners in activities such as:
• Erection of scaffolds (mobile or tower)
• Operation of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)
• The statutory inspection of such equipment
• Climbing aerial towers or similar
• Rope access.
General health and safety
Health and safety is important for the following reasons:
Law and responsibilities
Health and safety law basics
Under international safety laws the employers and employees have statutory duties for health, safety and environment in the workplace.
1. What does your employer have a duty to provide for you?
2. What do you have to do for your employer?
Health and safety law basics
What does an employer have a duty to provide?
● A safe workplace so far as is reasonably practicable
● Information, instruction, training and supervision
● Safe systems of work
● Safe tools and equipment, maintained and inspected as required
● A responsible competent person to look after HSE
● Emergency plans including provision for fire and first aid
● Insurance for employers
● PPE as required for tasks (free of charge to employees)
● Risk assessments and safety planning
● Safe access and egress – ways in, out, up or down for getting to the workplace.
Health and safety law basics
What does an employee have to do for their employer?
● Look after their own safety
● Look out for the safety of others
● Report any unsafe acts or conditions
● Follow company safety rules and instructions
● Use tools, equipment and PPE correctly as trained and instructed.
International Labour Organisation
Employers
Employees
Self-employed
Designers and manufacturers
Occupiers of buildings in which persons work
Governments.
Other regional legislation
● OSHAD (Abu Dhabi) Codes of Practice
● Ministry of Manpower (MOM)
● Dubai Municipality Labour Laws
● PDO (Oman O&G)
● Saudi Aramco General Instructions
● Qatar Petroleum or Qatar Construction Standards.
Core requirements for WAH by employers
Avoid Work at height wherever possible
Plan
All work at height tasks correctly using a risk assessment and method statement
Provide Correct equipment, permits and training for employees carrying out the tasks
Rescue
Ensure an emergency or rescue plan is in place for all work at height.
Core requirements for WAH by employees Comply
With work permits and risk assessments
Inspect
All equipment and surfaces before use
Report
Any issue that should stop work at height.
The 3 measurements of competence:
Trained - theoretical and practical
knowledge
Experience – through applying knowledge
Confidence – to carry out tasks correctly.
How much do you know?
Which of the following is NOT a duty of the employee?
Take reasonable care of themselves
Take reasonable care of others
Cooperate with the employer
Write a risk assessment
How much do you know?
What are the main employer’s responsibilities for WAH?
Provide fall arrest harnesses
Ensure health, safety and environment department in charge
Risk assess, plan and use competent persons and correct equipment
Ensure that a fire extinguisher is in place
How much do you know?
Which of these are recognised regional laws
ILO C155, Armaco Gls, OSHAD
Aramco, PSP, ComHSE
British, French and Spanish
PUWER, LOLER and ComHSE
How much do you know?
What are the three measures of competence?
Knowledge, experience and confidence
Training, assessment and competence
Language, skills and application
Certified, over 18 and skilled
What is work at height?
How is work at height defined?
Work at height means work in any place where, if precautions were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. You are working at height if you:
You are working at height if you:
● work above ground or floor level
● could fall from an edge, through an opening or fragile surface
● could fall from ground level into an opening in a floor or a hole in the ground
Work at height does not include a slip or a trip on the level, as a fall from height has to involve a fall from one level to a lower level, nor does it include walking up and down a permanent staircase in a building.
Introduction to work at height
What are the most common causes of fatality to workers in the construction sector?
Falls from a height
Trapped by something collapsing/overturning
Struck by a moving vehicle.
Work at height musts
● Planning
Supervision
Carried out in a safe manner
Risk assessment
Emergency and rescue provision
Environmental considerations
Competence levels
Equipment suitability.
Hazards from work at height
Factors that cause accidents
The building or area we work in
● Floors (Holes through) ● Access and egress ● Space
Lighting
Temperature
Dust
Wind Environmental factors
Factors that cause accidents
Human factors
The behaviour and ability of the individual
Lack of knowledge
Lack of concentration
Horseplay
Lack of capability.
Factors that cause accidents
Occupational factors
The job or task that we carry out
● Manual handling
● Use of hazardous substances
● Use of equipment.
What are the main hazards while working at height?
● Falls from height ● Dropped objects
● Equipment failures
● Lack of competence
● Improper use of equipment ● Overloading ● Tipping.
Working at height
Common causes of accidents when working at height:
Not providing a safe system to carry out work at height
Failure to recognise a problem.
Injury and accident statistics
GCC work at height accident statistics
Estimated figures from ILO
2012-2015, over 120 people have died from falls from height at work
Only around 40 of these fatalities were as a result of a fall from above 2 metres
Approximately 50 of these were as a result of falls from portable ladders or temporary staging
In these same years 3177 major injuries were recorded as a result of falls from height.
How much do you know?
What are the main points to consider when carrying out work-at-height tasks?
Planning, prosecution, tipping
Use best priced equipment
Supervise all persons at height or floor
Planning, supervision, risk assessment
How much do you know?
What height are you deemed to be at height at work?
1.8 metres
2 metres
All of the above, any height you can fall and injure yourself from 8 metres
How much do you know?
Main hazards at height include:
falls, poor equipment use, weather
weight of PPE
tripping on stairway or road
confidence of task requirements
Work at height hierarchy
Against distance or consequence of a fall
Work at height hierarchy
Avoid work at height wherever possible
● Can the work be carried out at ground level? E.g.
● using reach and wash window cleaning systems
● using hinged street lights so bulbs can be changed from the ground
● Can items be pre-fabricated at ground level?
● Use existing safe work at height gantry’s or walkways
● Can a control unit be positioned at ground level?
Bad practice
Work at height hierarchy
Prevent falls wherever possible
● Consider use of permanent guardrails or temporary guardrails if the duration of work is short
● Use equipment with edge protection already in place, e.g. MEWP scissor lift
● Use ManSafe systems or restraint lanyards shorter than the distance to the unprotected edge.
Fall prevention – guardrail standards
950mm min 150mm 470mm max 470mm max
Personal fall prevention (work restraint)
Only prevents the individual from a fall
Work Restraint systems use a fixed or adjustable lanyard, which may be of rope, webbing or steel wire, anchored back to a suitable anchor point. The lanyard is of a length that will prevent the user from falling.
When using work restraint, very careful attention must be paid to corners and edges of rooftops, where a sideways step could place the worker at risk of a fall.
Work at height hierarchy
Mitigate/minimise against distance or consequence of a fall
● Ensure all work at height has an emergency or rescue plan
● Consider use of safety nets to reduce distance, or air bags to reduce impact of a fall
● Use second line for rope access work with positioning lanyard
● Provide fall arrest lanyards with shock absorbers for any tasks where falls may occur.
Collective fall protection
Collective fall protection, systems such as:
● Ensure all work at height has an emergency or rescue plan
● Air bags and safety nets can be used when a number of people are working in one location
● Where the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, work equipment and the correct type of Personal Fall Protection should be used
These will minimise the distance and consequence of a fall.
Individual fall protection
Fall arrest
Minimise the consequences of a fall by the use of
Personal
Fall Protection Equipment (PFPE)
PFPE is to be considered the last resort.
● Where there is a risk to others from falling objects, then the danger area should be cordoned off and warning notices prominently displayed
● All loose tools and equipment should be secured by means of a tether to the person or structure
● Personnel working within the drop zone should wear appropriate PPE.
General safety
How much do you know?
What is the correct hierarchy for safe work at height?
Minimise, avoid, protect
Prevent, protect, avoid
Avoid, prevent, minimise
Avoid, minimise, prevent
Definitions Hazard
Something with the potential to cause harm
Risk
The likelihood of harm occurring
Risk assessment
The identification of hazards, calculation of risk and reduction of risk either completely or to an acceptable level.
● Slipping/tripping hazards (floors and stairs)
● Fire
● Chemicals and hot liquids
● Vehicles
● Moving parts of machinery
● Tools and equipment
● Dusts, fumes and poor ventilation
● Human factors
● Electricity
● Working at height
● Manual handling
● Noise
● Poor lighting
● High or low temperatures
Decide who might be harmed and how
Employees Young persons
Cleaners
Contractors
Disabled people
Expectant mothers
Inexperienced staff
Lone workers Visitors
KEY POINT
Are existing precautions and control measures satisfactory? If not… can they be improved?
Do they:
● reduce the risk?
comply with the law?
represent good practice?
KEY POINT
Are existing precautions and control measures satisfactory? If not… can they be improved?
Have the staff:
● received training ● received information
received procedures
been advised about risk assessments
been provided with PPE?
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Designed to protect the wearer from one or more risks
Can risks be controlled by other means?
Elimination
Substitution
Control/contain
Alter
Protect
Educate/Ensure.
Hierarchy of control
KEY POINT
Necessary to prove you did everything that was reasonably practicable.
Review and revise if necessary
Review:
Regularly
If
changes in the workplace occur
After an accident or near miss
If new information becomes known.
All work at height requires a risk assessment which includes a practised rescue plan in the case of an emergency
Think about:
● the work being carried out
● the difficulty of accessing the worker by the rescue team
Specific rescue training must be carried out at regular intervals to keep skills to an acceptable level
Training should not be carried out with live persons, a life-sized dummy should always be used.
Emergency procedure
● Stay calm and quickly assess the situation. Identify the hazards present
● Do not put yourself at risk
● Raise the alarm
● Establish the status of the casualty
● Assess the need for a rescue
● Perform the rescue if possible
● Do you need emergency services? If so call them
● Administer first aid (only if qualified to do so)
● How long have they been suspended?
● Report the incident.
Risk assessment exercise
Perform a risk assessment in teams using the sheets provided
Think about:
hazards
who
evaluate
record
review/revise.
How much do you know?
What is the first stage in the risk assessment process?
Record the findings
Evaluate the risk
Identify who may be harmed
Identify the hazards
How much do you know?
What does a work at height risk assessment have to include?
Implementation
Copies of competence certification
Replacement equipment
An emergency or rescue plan
How much do you know?
How
is a hazard best defined?
Something with the potential to cause harm
The chance of harm occurring
Calculation and reduction of harm
Assessment of harm
Work at height equipment
Work at height equipment
Ladders and steps
Podium steps
Scaffold and towers
Rooftop harness
MEWPs
www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/wait/wait-tool.htm
Ladders and steps – general rules
Only use a ladder or stepladder:
for access purposes only for light work (if risk assessed) when a ‘handhold’ is available on the ladder or stepladder (or a point above for mini-steps) when three points of contact can be maintained.
Considerations:
Ladders
● do not be complacent, think about the risks
● ladders are not safe for long-term use (30 mins max)
● cheap in price and mobile
● can be used if a risk assessment has been carried out
Factors to think about before use:
● securely fixed to stop slipping outwards or sideways
● site conditions – exposed element, ground and wall or structure used against
● can you safely stand on ladder and do the job required
● the ability, training and experience of the user
● the type of work required to be carried out and what tools will need to be used.
Ladders and steps - selection criteria
Must be Industrial rated BS EN131 or similar (no personal ladders allowed)
Able to extend 1m higher than access point
Support maximum load imposed
Must comply with below mentioned lengths
Must be inspected daily
Maximum Heights
Metal ladders or reinforced GRP plastic
• 6.1m for industrial stepladder
• 9m for a single industrial ladder
• 15m for an industrial extension ladder
Wooden ladders
• 5.5m for platform stepladder
• 5.5m for industrial pole ladder.
What Not To Do
Safe use of ladders
● Overload it (check safe working load)
● Over reach or stretch
● Rest ladders against weak upper surfaces
● Work above top three rungs
● Move ladder while it is being used.
Important
● Ladder rungs must be level
● Worker must be healthy and fit to carry out the task
● Tie or foot ladder properly
● 3 points of contact at all times
● Ladders must lean at angle of approx 75º (4 up 1 out)
● Ladder should extend 1m above landing
● Point for handhold.
Safe use of ladders
1m min above access point
Safe use of ladders - securing
To avoid slips of ladder you must secure it
● Tie ladder to proper point and make sure both stiles are tied
● Use a stability device that is safe such as a ladder strap
● Securely fix the ladder to the wall wherever possible above 3m.
● Foot the ladder as a last resort if unable to tie in
Safe use of stepladder
What not to do
● Overload (check safe working load)
● Use where restraint devices cannot be fully opened
● Don’t use top two steps of stepladder
● Don’t use top three steps of swing-back or double-sided stepladders.
Safe use of stepladders
While working on stepladders always face the activity to avoid side loads and keep stability e.g. drilling in solid materials
Where side-on loadings cannot be avoided you should prevent the steps from tipping over by tying in.
Safe use of steps – pre-use checks
Before using a ladder or stepladder you must check whether it is safe. You must check the following:
Have no visible defects
Detailed visual inspection
Suitable ladders or step ladders for work
Maintained and stored safely
Must be inspected daily.
Practical session
INSPECT, ACCESS / EGRESS / STORE A STEPLADDER AND LADDER
Inspection:
Feet are in good condition
Screws, bolts and hinges are secure
On a stepladder, the ‘spreaders’ can be locked into place
No obvious signs of damage (cracks/splits)
Storage:
Ladders or step ladders must be stored in a well-ventilated area.
Straight ladders in flat racks or wall brackets
Step ladders in closed, vertical position.
● Podium steps are a safe alternative to step ladders to gain access to a high level
● They are built from a framework of aluminium tube and snap lock/hook locking type fittings
● Should be erected by competent experienced operators
● They provide heights ranging from 0.42m to 1.9m.
Safe use of podium steps
They must be erected on firm level ground
Check all components are free from damages and used correctly
Podium must be erected in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
Climb in using steps provided only
Castor breaks must be ON when steps are in use
Check safe working load of platform
Guardrail gate fully closed in position; do not stand on frame to gain extra height
Must be erected following manufacturers instructions.
Scaffolds and towers
● Scaffolds should be assembled, moved, inspected and dismantled by a competent person
● PASMA (Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association)
● CISRS OSTS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme)
● Overseas Scaffolders Training Scheme.
Safe use of scaffolds and towers
Scaffold must only be assembled by competent person
In date inspection tag (at least every 7 days) Access areas and working areas should be clear and safe
Toe boards should be attached minimum height of 150mm Every platform should have guard rails at all sides to prevent a fall All components should be fixed properly and not loose.
Isolate tag and report any issues
● Rooftops should only be accessed by qualified and competent person
● Caution must be taken when working on rooftops as there are many risks associated with this activity
Fall hazards:
Roof edges
Through gaps and holes in roof
Through fragile roof material and roof lights
Falling objects from roof.
Rooftops
Safe use of rooftops
● To avoid falls from rooftops or leading edges we need proper protection. Guard rails should be provided as per OSHAD standards in UAE
● Collective fall protection preferred over personal
● Any temporary guard rails should be installed and regularly inspected by a competent person every 7 days.
Hazards on rooftops
● Fragile surfaces will not support your weight
● Approx. 20% of fatal accidents at height due to fragile surfaces
Important factors to be considered:
Thickness
of material
Design and support structures
Age of material
Roofs can become fragile after time
Prevent unauthorised access.
Short-duration work on flat buildings
● Short-duration work means working for minutes rather than hours
Minimum requirements for short-duration work:
● A safe means of access on to the roof and for work at roof level
● Proper safety harness (measured lanyard) and anchorage point
● Appropriate for user and in good condition.
● Securely attached to anchor point.
● Mobile elevating work platforms
● Used for working at height in various places
● IPAF PAL card allows you to operate the class you have been trained in
● You can work from a MEWP but not operate unless you hold a licence
● Licence by category
● 1a, 1b + 3a, 3b
● Must have a valid licence to operate a MEWP
● The machine must have an in-date 3rd party inspection certificate. Carried out every 6 months
● Pre-use inspection by operator
● Adjustable restraint harness in all boom-type machines(3b) and anchor at designated points
Safe use of MEWPs
● In vertical machines(3a), safety harness is not recommended by IPAF but it can be used depending upon risk assessment
● A rescue plan should be in place.
How much do you know?
What distance should be above the access when using a ladder?
0.5m 0m 1m 2m
How much do you know?
A MEWP needs a 3rd party inspection done every:
6 months
1 year
7 days
1 month
How much do you know?
Which 2 pieces of work at height equipment need an additional licence?
Stepladder and MEWP
Scaffold/tower and rooftop
Ladder and step ladder
Scaffold/tower and MEWP
Personal
Personal fall protection equipment
● Personal fall protection equipment (PFPE) is divided into three categories, which are (in order of increasing risk)
Work restraint
Work positioning
Fall arrest.
Personal protective equipment
Restraint, positioning and fall arrest equipment is deemed PFPE
Should only be considered as a last resort when there is no alternative means of protection
● Only approved fall protection equipment may be used when working at height
● Equipment must be CE / ANSI marked (certified European)
● Equipment must comply with the appropriate European (EN) or National (BS) standard.
● Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines before use
● Those using PFPE must use an approved hard hat fitted with a suitable chin strap.
Single point 4 point 2 point
Fall arrest and restraint
Fall arrest, vertical climbing and restraint
Types of harness Rope access
Work positioning, fall arrest and restraint
Fall arrest and vertical climbing, rope access and work positioning.
This is the safest option when using PFPE
Equipment:
Lanyard too long
Work restraint
The worker is unable to fall from the edge due to the length of the lanyard
You should use a full body harness
Attachment method –accurately measured lanyard or rope
Work positioning
During work positioning activities the worker is supported by their equipment.
During this type of activity workers must ensure they maintain both a primary and secondary attachment point (AP)
Equipment:
Attachment method - twin ropes/lanyard EN 355/354 and pole strap
Harness – full body or sit EN 361/358 ANSI Z359 (US) CSA Z259 (CAN).
Fall arrest – lanyards
They connect between the anchor and harness
They have integral shock absorption to limit the arrest forces to below 6kN They can be a maximum of 2m in length
Most common types of fall arrest lanyard are single, twin or retractable
Fall clearances allowing for shock absorber extension must be considered.
Risks when wearing a harness
● An ill-fitted harness can cause serious injury and can be fatal
Wearing a harness
What is suspension trauma?
● Loss of consciousness due to restricted blood flow (straps between your legs)
● Can become unconscious(faint) after as little as 3 minutes
● If you can, try to keep calm and keep your legs moving. This will help to circulate your blood.
The harness MUST be worn and tightened correctly
How much do you know?
PFPE stands for:
Personal Fall Protection Equipment
Proper Fall Protection Equipment
Personal Fall Positioning Equipment
Painful Fall Protection Equipment
How much do you know?
What are the 3 Categories of PFPE?
Harness, rope and lanyard
Ladders, podium and MEWPs
Work restraint, work positioning and fall arrest
Single point, 2 point and 4 point harness
How much do you know?
What is the maximum length of a fall arrest
lanyard?
How much do you know?
How long before suspension trauma can be fatal?
1 hour
5 mins
30 mins 6 hours
Case Study 1: Ride Maintenance Fall
A maintenance technician was assigned to inspect the upper framework of a roller coaster during early morning hours. The task required access at approximately 12 meters using a fixed ladder system and a short-duration work platform.
What Happened
The technician accessed the structure wearing a full body harness but did not connect to a suitable anchor point. No formal work at height risk assessment or rescue plan had been prepared. While repositioning to inspect a joint, the technician lost balance and fell. The fall arrest system partially engaged, leaving the worker suspended for several minutes before help arrived, leading to suspension trauma.
Case Study 1: Ride Maintenance Fall
Key Failures
•Failure to plan work at height properly
•Incorrect use of PFPE
•No emergency or rescue plan
•Lack of competent supervision
Why This Case Matters
This incident shows that wearing PPE alone is not enough. Planning, correct anchorage, and rescue arrangements are mandatory, exactly as covered in your Core Requirements for Employers, Risk Assessment, and Rescue Plan sections.
Case Study 2: Ladder Slip During Decorative Installation at Park Entrance
A decorative lighting team was installing themed banners and lighting above a park entrance at approximately 4 meters. A portable ladder was used for access.
What Happened
The ladder was not industrial rated and was placed on uneven ground. The worker overreached while fixing decorations, causing the ladder to slip sideways. The worker fell, sustaining fractures to the arm and shoulder.
Key Failures
•Incorrect ladder selection
•Poor inspection and setup
•Overreaching
•Failure to follow ladder use rules
Why This Case Matters
This case reinforces that short-duration work still carries serious risk and must be properly assessed. It directly supports your ladder safety rules and equipment selection guidance.
Where to Incorporate This Case Study
Case Study 3: Dropped Object Incident
During Stage Lighting Adjustment
During preparation for a live stage show, technicians were adjusting lighting fixtures mounted above the performance area. Work was carried out from a scaffold tower.
What Happened
Tools were not tethered, and the drop zone below was not barricaded. A spanner slipped from the technician’s hand and fell, narrowly missing staff working below.
Key Failures
•No exclusion zone
•Failure to secure tools
•Poor supervision
•Inadequate general safety controls
Why This Case Matters
This incident highlights risks not only to workers at height but also to people below, a key learning point in your General Safety and Dropped Objects content.
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