Falls from height are among the most common causes of serious injury and death in construction, maintenance and warehousing. The good news is that most falls are preventable if you apply a clear hierarchy of controls and plan the job before anyone climbs.
What counts as working at height?
Any place where a person could fall far enough to be injured: roofs, scaffolds, ladders, mobile elevated work platforms, edges, openings, fragile surfaces — even working near an open excavation or a loading dock edge.
The hierarchy of fall protection
1. Avoid
Can the work be done from the ground? Use extension poles, prefabrication at ground level or drone and camera inspections.
2. Prevent
If work at height is unavoidable, use equipment that prevents a fall: guardrails and toe boards, covers over openings, scaffolds and mobile access towers built to the manufacturer's instructions, and work platforms rather than ladders where possible.
3. Arrest or minimise
When a fall cannot be prevented, protect the worker if one occurs: safety nets, airbags, or a personal fall arrest system (full-body harness, shock-absorbing lanyard or self-retracting lifeline, and a suitable anchor point).
Fall arrest system essentials
- A full-body harness, correctly adjusted — not a belt.
- An anchor point strong enough for the loads involved and positioned to limit free fall.
- Calculated fall clearance so the worker does not hit the ground or a lower level.
- Inspection before each use and a formal inspection at set intervals.
Rescue: the forgotten step
A worker hanging in a harness can suffer suspension trauma within minutes. Every plan must say how and by whom a suspended worker will be rescued quickly.
Ladders and scaffolds
- Use ladders only for short-duration, low-risk work; keep three points of contact.
- Set ladders at the correct angle on firm, level ground and secure them.
- Scaffolds must be erected, inspected and tagged by competent persons.
Plan, train, supervise
Every job needs a risk assessment, a method statement, competent workers and supervision. Weather — especially wind, rain and ice — should stop work when conditions are unsafe.
Key takeaway: Avoid first, prevent second, arrest last — and always have a rescue plan.
Frequently asked questions
At what height is fall protection required?
Requirements vary by country, but the safest approach is to assess any task where a fall could cause injury, regardless of the height.
Where can I train my team?
Our Work at Height courses cover awareness, users, supervisors and competent persons.