Working at Height

What is the legal definition of 'working at height'?

• AWorking on a ladder
• BWork in any location with a risk of falling a distance that could cause personal injury✓
• COnly work carried out more than 2 metres above the ground, measured from the floor to the feet
• DWork in tall buildings

Answer: Working at height is any work where there is a risk of falling and suffering personal injury, regardless of the actual height. This includes falls from stairs, platforms, and ground level.

What is the hierarchy of controls for working at height?

• AHarnesses first, then safety nets, then barriers at the open edge
• BHarnesses only, since they are the most reliable form of protection
• CBarriers first, then safety nets, with nothing else considered
• DElimination, collective protection, and individual protection✓

Answer: The hierarchy is: Eliminate the need (redesign work), then collective protection (guardrails, nets), and finally individual protection (harnesses) as a last resort.

What type of guardrails are required for fall protection?

• ANetting or sheeting fixed across the opening instead of rails
• BTop rail at 950-1050 mm, intermediate rail at mid-height, kick board at base✓
• CTop rail at 700 mm, mid-rail at 350 mm and a toe board at the base
• DA single rope or tape line strung along the open edge at waist height

Answer: Guardrails must have: a top rail 950-1050 mm high, an intermediate rail at mid-height between top and base, a kick board at least 150 mm high, and sufficient strength.

What is a 'competent person' for working at height?

• ASomeone with adequate knowledge, skills, and experience of working at height procedures✓
• BAnyone holding a general health and safety certificate, whether or not they have worked at height
• CThe site manager, by virtue of their position in charge of the site
• DThe site's appointed first aider, who is trained to treat fall injuries

Answer: A competent person for working at height has sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to plan, supervise, and manage work at height and recognise hazards.

What must be provided at the foot of a ladder to prevent slipping?

• AExtra securing is unnecessary, provided the ladder is long enough
• BA piece of carpet laid under the feet of the ladder
• CA wet surface, so that the feet of the ladder grip better
• DProper securing or stabilisation to prevent sliding✓

Answer: Ladders must be secured (tied) or used with a helper, or positioned on a stable surface at the correct angle (75 degrees) to prevent slipping or movement.

What is the correct angle for positioning a ladder?

• A60 degrees, which gives a ratio of 3 units up to 1 unit out
• B90 degrees, standing vertically against the face of the wall
• C45 degrees, which gives a ratio of 1 unit up to 1 unit out
• D75 degrees (4:1 ratio - for every 4 units up, 1 unit out)✓

Answer: A ladder should be positioned at an angle of approximately 75 degrees to the ground, or 1 unit out for every 4 units up, to provide stability and prevent tipping.

What is a 'safety harness' used for in working at height?

• ATo hold the worker's clothing tightly in place while working
• BTo take the weight of a heavy tool belt during a long shift
• CTo carry personal belongings and tools while climbing a ladder
• DTo restrict movement to prevent falls or arrest a fall✓

Answer: A safety harness is worn to protect against falls by either preventing falls (restraint) or stopping a fall (arrest harness) when connected to appropriate anchor points.

Where should a harness anchor point be located?

• ABelow the worker, so that the lanyard is kept well out of the working area
• BAt the same level as the worker's harness attachment point
• CAnywhere on the roof that is convenient for the worker to reach without moving
• DAbove the worker, securely attached and capable of supporting the load✓

Answer: Anchor points should be above the worker where possible, securely attached to the structure, and capable of withstanding the forces from arresting a fall, as specified for the anchor device (BS EN 795).

What is the purpose of a 'permit to work' system for working at height?

• ATo document that work has been properly planned, assessed, and approved✓
• BTo track attendance and record which workers were on the site on each day
• CTo record wages, hours worked and the operatives present on each shift
• DTo authorise overtime payments for work done outside normal working hours

Answer: A permit to work ensures work at height is properly authorised, planned, assessed for risks, appropriate controls are in place, and relevant personnel are informed.

What should be done before starting work at height?

• AAsk for volunteers from the site team and make a start as soon as somebody agrees
• BCheck only that it is not raining, since dry weather makes the job safe enough
• CRisk assessment, method statement, competency check, and weather assessment✓
• DA verbal briefing from whoever used the equipment last

Answer: Before work at height: conduct risk assessment, prepare method statement with controls, verify workers are competent and trained, and check weather conditions are suitable.

What are the risks of working near overhead power lines?

• AOverhead lines carry no risk so long as you keep below them
• BElectric shock and arc flash even without contact✓
• CRadiation burns from the electromagnetic field around the line
• DInterference with site radios and mobile phones near the line

Answer: Overhead power lines can cause a fatal shock without direct contact, because electricity can flash over to anything that comes close. HSE guidance (GS6) says to manage the risk for any work within 10 m of the nearest wire, measured horizontally at ground level, and to get the safe clearance from the line owner.

What is 'wind effect' in the context of working at height?

• AWind can affect stability, balance, and increase fall risk✓
• BIrrelevant to the safety of work that is carried out at height
• CA term for dust blown into the eyes of workers at ground level
• DThe draught created by powered access equipment, such as a moving MEWP

Answer: Wind can significantly affect stability and balance of workers and equipment at height. High winds may prevent work from proceeding safely.

What should rescue arrangements include for working at height?

• AJust having a trained first aider present on the ground for the duration of the work at height
• BAccess to rescue, trained personnel, appropriate equipment, and communication systems✓
• CA phone in the site office, plus the number for the emergency services
• DAn agreement that the fire brigade will attend if needed

Answer: Rescue arrangements must include: accessible rescue equipment, trained personnel available, communication systems, a rescue plan, and access that allows prompt rescue.

What inspection regime does HSE recommend for fall-arrest harnesses and lanyards?

• AWash and store the equipment carefully after each shift
• BReplace it after each use, since the webbing is designed for a single use
• CA yearly check by the visiting HSE inspector for the area
• DPre-use checks, plus a detailed inspection at least every six months by a competent person✓

Answer: HSE guidance (INDG367) calls for tactile and visual pre-use checks each time the equipment is used, plus a recorded detailed inspection by a competent person at least every six months. For frequently used lanyards in arduous work such as demolition or scaffolding, the detailed inspection should be at least every three months.

What is an 'edge protection system' at height?

• AJust hazard tape run along the ground near the open edge of the roof area
• BGuardrails, safety nets, or other barriers to prevent falls from edges✓
• CA raised kerb formed in the roof covering at the perimeter
• DWarning signs only, placed at intervals along the open edge of the roof

Answer: Edge protection includes physical barriers like guardrails and safety nets positioned at edges and drops to prevent falls, either by restraint or arrest.

In electrical installations, what height hazards must be controlled?

• AWork on poles, masts, roofs for cable installation, overhead line work✓
• BIndoor work from stepladders, since outdoor height work is left to scaffolders
• CWork at bench height, fitting sockets and switches into prepared back boxes
• DTower scaffold work, since ladders and roofs fall under other regulations

Answer: Electrical installations often involve work at height: pole climbing for line work, roof work for cable routing, working from ladders on external sites, and tower work.

What is a 'safety net' and how is it used?

• AThe same thing as a fishing net, hung loosely underneath the working platform
• BA mesh system positioned below work areas to catch falling persons or objects✓
• CA barrier fixed at the edge to stop people stepping off
• DA net used only on fishing vessels and never on a construction site in this country

Answer: Safety nets are positioned below work areas to catch and stop falling people or materials. They must be properly secured and regularly inspected.

What training is required for work at height?

• AJust watching someone else do the job once before having a go at it yourself on site
• BOnly theoretical training delivered in a classroom, with no practical element at all
• CA one-off induction covering the whole site, given on arrival
• DHazard awareness, safe procedures, equipment use, rescue, and practical skills✓

Answer: Training should cover: hazard identification, safe work procedures, use of equipment (harnesses, etc.), emergency response, rescue procedures, and practical competency assessment.

What should a method statement for working at height include?

• AJust the work location
• BRisks identified, controls, procedures, equipment, competency, rescue, weather considerations✓
• COnly the time work starts and finishes each day, so that the site office can plan the programme
• DJust the cost estimate

Answer: A method statement must detail: identified hazards and risks, control measures, work procedures, required equipment and its inspection/maintenance, competency requirements, and rescue arrangements.

What is the role of a 'spotters' person when working at height?

• ATo spot dropped tools, retrieve them and keep the area below tidy
• BTo spot mistakes in the paperwork and correct the permit before it is filed away at the end
• CMonitor work conditions, communication, safety compliance, and emergency response✓
• DTo hold the base of the ladder while the work is carried out

Answer: A spotter person (often a ground worker) monitors work conditions, maintains communication with workers at height, watches for hazards, and can call for help if needed.