Working at Height

What is the legal height at which special precautions for working at height become mandatory under UK law?

• AAbove 2 metres
• BAbove 3 metres
• CAny height from which a fall could cause injury✓
• DOnly above 10 metres

Answer: The Work at Height Regulations 2005 define working at height as any work where someone could fall and be injured. This includes falls from low heights onto hard surfaces. The 2m guidance is illustrative, not absolute.

Which of the following is the correct order of the hierarchy of control for working at height?

• APPE, harnesses, guardrails, elimination
• BElimination, collective protection (guardrails), personal harnesses, PPE✓
• CHarnesses, guardrails, training, PPE
• DTraining, equipment, procedures, inspection

Answer: The hierarchy prioritises elimination of the fall hazard, then collective protection (guardrails, netting), then personal fall arrest systems, and finally other PPE. PPE is the last resort, not the first.

A worker is asked to climb a ladder to fix a gutter. What should be checked first?

• AThe worker's age
• BWhether the ladder is secured, in good condition, and positioned at the correct angle✓
• CThe weather forecast
• DWhether the worker has a hard hat

Answer: Ladder safety requires secure positioning, structural integrity, and a 4:1 or 75-degree angle. Age and weather are secondary; equipment condition is primary.

What angle should a ladder be positioned at for safe use?

• A45 degrees
• BApproximately 75 degrees (4:1 base to height ratio)✓
• CVertical
• D30 degrees

Answer: The 4:1 ratio (1 unit out for every 4 units up) creates approximately a 75-degree angle. This balance prevents slipping at the base and tipping backward at the top.

Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs) are commonly used on construction sites. Which statement is TRUE?

• AThey can be operated by anyone
• BThey require trained and authorised operators only✓
• CThey need inspection only once a year
• DFall harnesses are never needed when using them

Answer: MEWP operation requires competence and training. Daily safety checks are mandatory. Fall harnesses may be required depending on the platform design and height.

When is a fall arrest harness required on a construction site?

• AOnly for workers over 40 years old
• BWhen working at height where elimination or guardrails are not practicable, and there is a significant fall risk✓
• COnly for external work
• DNever, as other measures are always sufficient

Answer: Fall arrest harnesses are used when collective protection (guardrails) cannot be provided and there is real fall risk. They are part of the hierarchy, not the first choice.

Guardrails or handrails must be installed on construction scaffolding at a height of:

• A0.6 metres only
• BBetween 0.9 and 1.2 metres with an intermediate rail and toe board✓
• C2 metres or higher
• DOnly as requested by workers

Answer: BS EN 12811 and UK standards require guardrails at 0.9–1.2m, with an intermediate rail to prevent falls through and a toe board to prevent object drop. These are mandatory, not optional.

A worker is found not wearing a hard hat while working on a construction site at height. Under UK law, what could happen?

• AThey are simply warned
• BOnly the employer can be prosecuted
• CThe worker themselves could face prosecution or disciplinary action under HSWA 1974✓
• DNothing, as only external falls are regulated

Answer: Section 7 HSWA 1974 makes workers responsible for their safety. Failure to wear required PPE can result in prosecution of the individual as well as the employer.

Before work at height begins, a risk assessment must identify:

• AOnly the weather forecast
• BThe distance of the fall, existing controls, rescue procedures, and emergency response✓
• COnly the cost of equipment
• DWhether workers have eaten lunch

Answer: The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require assessment of fall distance, protective measures, rescue plans, and emergency procedures. Weather, costs, and meals are not assessment priorities.

Edge protection is required on construction sites at height. Which of the following is NOT a form of edge protection?

• AGuardrails
• BSafety netting
• CPersonal reminder notices✓
• DBarriers or wall protection

Answer: Edge protection includes physical measures (guardrails, barriers, nets, catch platforms). Warning notices alone do not prevent falls and do not meet edge protection requirements.

Under UK regulations, what is the primary hazard when working on fragile roof surfaces in construction?

• AWind damage to the building
• BFall through the surface to a lower level, potentially fatal; fragile surfaces (asbestos, corrugated plastic, rotten timber) collapse under weight✓
• CNoise from wind
• DUV exposure

Answer: Fragile surfaces collapse under load, causing falls to lower levels. This is distinguished from falls on firm surfaces by the added hazard of collapse. Wind, noise, and UV are separate hazards.

What does the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require when work cannot be avoided on fragile surfaces?

• AWorkers must proceed with caution
• BPrecautions must be taken in order: avoid work, use alternative safe methods, or if unavoidable, use fall prevention systems (netting, soft landing), fall arrest, or rescue procedures✓
• COnly warning notices are needed
• DWorkers must wear extra PPE and proceed

Answer: WAHR 2005 mandates a hierarchy: avoid fragile work, substitute with safer methods, or implement control systems. Caution, warnings, and extra PPE alone are insufficient. Netting and rescue represent engineered controls.