Work at Height Training

OBR Construction — Mandatory Health & Safety Module

~25 minDuration

10Questions

75%Pass Mark

12 MonthsCertificate Validity

Your Full Name

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! Why This Training Matters

Falls from height are the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities in the UK construction industry, accounting for approximately 50% of all construction deaths annually. In 2023/24 there were 51 fatal injuries to workers — and falls from height remain the number one cause.

This training covers the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and gives you the knowledge to identify risks, select the right equipment, and work safely at height on OBR Construction sites.

⚠️ Important: This awareness course does not replace task-specific training for specialist equipment such as MEWPs, scaffolding, or rope access. Always ensure you hold the correct competency for the equipment you are operating.

1 The Legal Framework

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAHR 2005) apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. Crucially, there is no minimum height — even work inches off the ground is covered if a fall could cause injury.

The Hierarchy of Control for Work at Height:

Avoid working at height where possible — can the task be done from the ground?
Prevent falls using collective protection (scaffolding, edge protection, working platforms)
Mitigate the consequences if falls cannot be prevented (safety nets, airbags, personal fall arrest systems)

📋 Employer Duties Under WAHR 2005:

Ensure all work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent persons
Take account of weather conditions that could endanger health and safety
Ensure the place of work is safe and equipment is properly inspected and maintained
Ensure workers are trained and instructed in the use of equipment

👷 Your Duties as a Worker:

Follow instructions and training given by your employer
Use equipment correctly and report any defects
Do not put yourself or others at risk — report unsafe conditions immediately

2 Planning & Risk Assessment

Every work at height task must be planned before it starts. A suitable and sufficient risk assessment must be completed and communicated to all workers involved.

Key factors to consider when planning:

The nature and duration of the work — how long and how complex?
The height involved and the consequences of a fall
The condition of the surface being worked on (fragile roofs, unstable ground)
Weather conditions — wind, rain, ice, and lightning all affect safe working
Access and egress to the working area
The number of people at risk — workers and the public below
Rescue procedures — what happens if someone does fall or become suspended?

⚠️ Fragile Surfaces: Never assume a roof or elevated surface can take your weight. Fragile roof materials include: fibre cement sheets, glass rooflights, corrugated plastic/GRP, and aged or deteriorated materials. Always check before stepping on any elevated surface.

🌧️ Weather: Work at height should be stopped or postponed in high winds, icy conditions, or severe rain. Your supervisor must make this call — never feel pressured to work unsafely. You have the right to refuse unsafe work.

3 Equipment Selection & Inspection

Selecting the right equipment is critical. Equipment must be appropriate for the task, regularly inspected, and only used by trained personnel.

🪜 Ladders & Step Ladders

Suitable only for short-duration, light-duty work where a handhold is available. Must be on a stable, level surface. Angle of 75° (1-in-4 rule). Never used as a working platform for prolonged tasks.

🏗️ Scaffolding

Collective protection providing a safe working platform. Must be erected, altered, and dismantled by competent scaffolders. Inspected every 7 days and after adverse weather. Guard rails, toe boards, and safe access required.

🚜 MEWPs (Cherry Pickers / Scissor Lifts)

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms provide a stable working platform. Operators must be trained and certified (typically IPAF). Always used on stable, level ground with outriggers deployed where required.

⛑️ Personal Fall Protection (Harnesses)

Last resort — only when collective protection is not practicable. Includes fall arrest harnesses, inertia reels, and work restraint systems. Must be worn correctly and connected to an adequate anchor point.

Pre-use inspection — check ALL equipment before use for:

Visible damage, cracks, corrosion, or missing parts
Correct labelling and inspection tags are current
Ladder feet in good condition and stiles straight
Harness webbing for cuts, fraying, burns, or chemical damage

❌ Never use defective equipment. Tag it out of service and report it to your supervisor immediately. Do not attempt to repair equipment yourself.

4 Ladders — Safe Use

Ladders are one of the most misused pieces of equipment on construction sites. They are not a universal solution for work at height — they should only be used when other options are not reasonably practicable for short-duration, light work.

The 1-in-4 Rule: For every 4 metres of height, the base of the ladder must be 1 metre out from the wall or structure. This gives the correct angle of approximately 75°.

Safe ladder use checklist:

Inspect the ladder before use — check for damage, missing rungs, or defective feet
Set up on firm, level ground — use a stability device if ground is uneven
Secure the ladder at the top (tie off) or have it footed by another person
Extend ladder at least 1 metre (3 rungs) above the landing point
Maintain three points of contact at all times when climbing
Never overreach — your belt buckle must not go beyond the stile
Do not carry heavy or awkward loads — use a hoist or other means
Never work off a ladder in high winds or adverse weather
Do not use a ladder as a bridge or a working platform

⚠️ Step ladders should only be used where it is not possible to lean a ladder against a surface. They must be fully open and locked before use, with all four feet on a stable surface. Avoid side-on working — always face the work directly.

5 Edge Protection & Collective Measures

Collective protection protects everyone in the area without requiring individual action — it is always preferred over personal protective equipment. The primary form on construction sites is edge protection.

Edge protection requirements (BS EN 13374):

Top guard rail at least 950mm above the working surface
Intermediate guard rail — gap between rails must not exceed 470mm
Toe board at least 150mm high to prevent materials rolling off
All components must be secured and free from defects

🕸️ Safety Nets

Installed below the working level to catch falls. Particularly used in roof work and steel erection. Must be installed and maintained by a competent person. Reduce — but do not eliminate — injury risk.

🛡️ Soft Landing Systems

Airbags and crash mats placed below the work area. Used where nets are impractical. Must be positioned to catch the full extent of a potential fall. Only as effective as their correct positioning.

📋 Scaffold Inspection: All scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person:

Before first use
At least every 7 days thereafter
After any event that may have affected its stability (e.g. high winds, impact)

A scaffold inspection record (Scafftag or equivalent) must be visible at the point of access.

6 Key Summary — What You Must Remember

✅ DO

Always plan before working at height
Follow the hierarchy: avoid, prevent, mitigate
Inspect all equipment before use
Use collective protection wherever possible
Report defective equipment immediately
Stop work in unsafe weather conditions
Ensure a rescue plan is in place before working at height

❌ DON'T

Work at height without a risk assessment
Use damaged or unchecked equipment
Overreach on ladders or platforms
Assume a surface can take your weight
Use a ladder for prolonged or heavy work
Feel pressured to work unsafely
Bypass or remove edge protection

🔁 Certificate Validity: This Work at Height certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Annual refresher training is required.

? Knowledge Assessment

Answer all 10 questions. You must score 75% or above (8/10) to pass and receive your certificate.

Question 1 of 10

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to work at height where there is a risk of a fall. What is the minimum height at which these regulations apply?

2 metres 1 metre There is no minimum height — any height where a fall could cause injury is covered 3 metres

Question 2 of 10

What is the correct order of the hierarchy of control for work at height?

Mitigate, Prevent, Avoid Avoid, Prevent, Mitigate Prevent, Avoid, Mitigate Mitigate, Avoid, Prevent

Question 3 of 10

What is the "1-in-4 rule" for ladder placement?

For every 1 metre of height, the base must be 4 metres from the wall For every 4 metres of height, the base must be 1 metre out from the wall Ladders must extend 4 rungs above the landing point Only 1 person may use a ladder for every 4 metres of height

Question 4 of 10

Scaffolding must be inspected by a competent person at what minimum frequency during use?

Every 14 days Once per month Every 7 days Only at the start of the job

Question 5 of 10

You discover a ladder on site with a cracked stile (side rail). What should you do?

Use it carefully for light tasks only Tag it out of service and report it to your supervisor Repair it with tape and continue using it Continue using it as long as two people are present

Question 6 of 10

What is the minimum height of the top guard rail in an edge protection system?

750mm 800mm 950mm 1200mm

Question 7 of 10

A personal fall arrest harness should be used:

As the first choice for any work at height Only when collective protection (e.g. scaffolding, edge protection) is not practicable Instead of scaffolding to save time Only on jobs over 5 metres height

Question 8 of 10

Falls from height account for approximately what proportion of all fatal injuries in the UK construction industry?

10% 25% 50% 75%

Question 9 of 10

When using a ladder, how far should it extend above the landing point?

At least 500mm (2 rungs) At least 1 metre (3 rungs) At least 2 metres (6 rungs) It does not need to extend above the landing point

Question 10 of 10

You are working on a roof and conditions become icy. Your supervisor is not immediately available. What should you do?

Continue working carefully with extra caution Ask a colleague to spot you while you finish the task Stop work, move to a safe area, and contact your supervisor as soon as possible Work faster to finish before conditions worsen

Certificate of Completion

Work at Height

This is to certify that

Work at Height Awareness Training

Has successfully completed the OBR Construction Work at Height online training module in accordance with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and HSE guidance on safe working at height in the construction industry.

Score Achieved

Date of Issue

Valid Until

Trainer

Martin Jones

Reference

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