Legislation
Understanding your legal obligations for fall protection and working at height.
"Falls from height represent the biggest cause of death and the second biggest cause of serious injury at work."
— UK's Health and Safety Commission (HSC)
Who is Responsible for Fall Protection?
The answer could well be Yes. According to the health and safety legislation, these people are duty-holders responsible for fall protection:
What Does the Legislation Say?
In April 2005 the HSC published the revised Working at Height Regulations (WAHR). These regulations bring together the requirements of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
The WAHR also implement the European Community Temporary Work at Height Directive (2001/45/EC), which is the second amendment to the Use of Work Equipment Directive (89/655/EEC).
The legislation recognises that fall protection specifics are difficult to determine and hence legislate for. It allows for a hierarchy of measures to be applied, with the most effective measure being the elimination of the need to work at height.
Key Issues Covered by the Legislation
Avoiding work at height where possible
Using work equipment or other measures to prevent falls
Where falls cannot be prevented, using work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall
Ensuring that work equipment is suitable, inspected and maintained
Ensuring that workers are trained and competent
Ensuring that emergency rescue procedures are in place
What Do You Need to Do?
The official advice to duty-holders can be summarised as follows:
Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so
Where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right work equipment
Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, should one occur, using the right work equipment
Use a suitable fall protection system to minimise the consequences of a fall
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