Working at height: the law, ladders and the myths.

Avoid, prevent, minimise

HSE's provisional figures show falls from height were the most common kind of fatal accident for workers in Great Britain in 2025/26, with 31 deaths. Regulation 6 sets the order:

1. 01

   Avoid

   Do as much as you can from the ground, for example with extendable tools.

2. 02

   Prevent

   Otherwise, use a safe existing place of work or equipment that stops falls, such as a scaffold with guard rails.

3. 03

   Minimise

   Where a fall could still happen, reduce the distance and consequences, for example with safety nets.

Plan the work and use competent people

• Plan the job, including the weather and how you would rescue someone (regulation 4).
• Use competent people, or trainees supervised by someone competent (regulation 5).
• Put collective protection, such as guard rails, before personal protection, such as a harness (regulation 7).
• Check the working surface and edge protection before each use (regulation 13).

Ladders: the myth and the rules

Ladders are not banned. The law allows one where a risk assessment shows more suitable equipment is not justified, because the risk is low and the use is short, or because of site features you cannot change (Schedule 6). HSE guidance adds:

• As a guide, stay on a ladder or stepladder for no more than 30 minutes at a time, carrying only light tools and materials.
• Set leaning ladders at 1 in 4: one unit out for every four up.
• Tie ladders used for access, and extend them at least 1 metre above the landing.
• Do a pre-use check at the start of each working day.

Fragile roofs

Treat every roof as fragile until a competent person confirms it is not (HSE). Fibre-cement sheets and rooflights are common dangers.

• Plan the work so nobody goes on or near a fragile surface, for example by working from below (regulation 9).
• If someone has to, provide platforms, coverings or guard rails that take the load, and nets to limit a fall.
• Put warning notices at the approach to any fragile surface.

Inspecting scaffolds and ladders

• Construction working platform, such as a scaffold, where someone could fall 2 metres or more

  When to inspect

  After assembly and before use in that position, at least every 7 days, and after anything likely to affect its safety, such as high winds (regulation 12)

• Ladders and stepladders

  When to inspect

  A pre-use check each working day, and regular recorded detailed inspections (HSE)

Note: A report of each platform inspection must be written before the end of the working period, provided within 24 hours and kept on site until the work is finished, then for 3 months (regulation 12).

What the courts have said

• Robb v Salamis (M & I) Ltd [2006] UKHL 56

  A worker was hurt climbing down from his bunk on an oil rig because the ladder was not properly engaged in its fittings. The House of Lords held the employer breached the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, as movement was foreseeable and the ladder should have been fixed in place: plan for careless use, not just correct use.