Staying Safe At Height: Understanding the Risks and Realities of Working at Height

Work at height is one of the most hazardous activities across the construction, maintenance, and industrial sectors. Every year, countless injuries and fatalities are linked to falls from height, often due to poor planning, incorrect use of equipment, or lack of training.

At Leading Edge, we’re dedicated to protecting those who work at height. Through our industry-leading training and height safety equipment, we help create safer environments for height workers and minimise the risks that come with elevation.

What Is Work at Height?

Falls from height are one of the largest causes of workplace deaths and injuries. It is therefore essential that measures are in place to protect the worker against falls from height, whether they are working from constructed platforms, scaffolds, scaffold towers, mobile platforms (MEWPS) or an exposed leading edge, to name a few.

Working at height (WAH) refers to any task where a person could fall and injure themselves, whether that’s from a ladder, scaffold, roof edge, or elevated platform. It includes working on structures in confined spaces or over fragile surfaces. Common examples include:

• Working on a flat roof
• Working on a ladder
• Erecting false-work and formwork
• Working at ground level next to open excavations
• Working on formwork within an excavation
• Installing curtain walling
• Working on a flatbed lorry
• Tunnelling below ground level

You don’t need to be several storeys up for it to be considered dangerous – if a fall from any height could cause harm, it’s considered a height hazard.

Can the work be completed from the ground?

Work is not to be carried out at height if this risk can be avoided; if this cannot be achieved for any reason, then suitable and sufficient measures must be in place to mitigate the distance and consequences of a fall. When selecting work equipment, the hierarchy of control should be considered.

1) Avoid working at height.
2) Prevent a fall from occurring using collective measures, power access or restraint.
3) Mitigate distance and consequences of a fall using nets, airbags or fall arrest equipment.

In all cases, collective measures shall have priority over personal measures (Guard rails over Harnesses) In relation to prevention and mitigation, additional instruction, supervision and training should be in place to minimise the likelihood of a fall from occurring. Training should be given by a competent person. All Leading Edge trainers are experts in height safety.

Organisation & planning WAH

The Working at Height regulation 2005 states that work at height must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a manner that is, as far as reasonably practicable, safe and that weather conditions do not jeopardise the health and safety of persons involved in the work. In addition to this, planning for emergencies and rescue must be in place.

Competency to WAH

Competency is a level of knowledge, experience and responsibility supported by training and certification for a particular task, but this is over-ridden by the individual’s ability to recognise their own limitations for a particular task. Certification and training should be delivered by either a CITB, HSE or industry-recognised companies or organisations.

Common Height Hazards on Site

The risks of working at height are significant. Height hazards come in many forms, including the following:

• Dropped tools or materials. Any object that falls from a height and strikes a worker can be fatal.
• Incorrect use of ladders. If workers do not check that ladders are properly secured and safe to use, this practical piece of equipment can quickly create a high-risk situation.
• Unprotected edges on rooflines, scaffolding, and floor openings. If workers are not aware of unprotected edges or fragile surfaces when working at height, this could result in an accidental fall.
• Poor weather conditions. In extreme heat, cold or rain, work at height should be avoided. Rain can create slippery surfaces, while extreme heat or cold can make it more uncomfortable to work.
• Inadequate anchorage or fall arrest systems. All workers need to be trained to correctly wear or anchor their height safety PPE. Simply providing the PPE is not enough to prevent a fall.
• Contact with power lines. Injuries and fatalities can occur if a worker gets too close to a power line.

Managing the Dangers of Working at Height

Managing height work starts with understanding the risks and taking proactive steps to control them.

At Leading Edge, we don’t believe in shortcuts when it comes to safety. Whether you need expert advice, bespoke training, or industry-compliant equipment, we’re here to help your team work smarter, safer, and more confidently at height.

1. Comprehensive Training

We offer certified Working at Height Level 1 & 2 courses, designed to equip workers and managers with the skills to operate safely, select the right equipment, and respond to emergencies. We also offer a range of different height safety courses designed to expand skillsets and make workers more competent to work safely at height.

2. Specialist Equipment

From tool bags and connectors to tool tethering and anchor systems, we supply equipment engineered for performance and compliance in real working conditions. Our range of specialist height safety equipment has been designed and developed by work at height professionals.

3. Competency-Based Solutions

It’s not just about having the right safety gear, it’s about knowing how to use it. We work closely with site managers and operatives to develop a competent, confident workforce. Book your toolbox talk or PPE inspectors training with our experts today.

Building a Culture of Height Safety

Working at height doesn’t need to be dangerous, but it does demand respect, preparation, and knowledge. Creating safe systems of work means more than meeting minimum standards. It’s about embedding safety into the culture of every project, from pre-planning to completion. Protect your people. Eliminate risks. Lead the way in height safety.

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