The Work at Height Regulations 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations impose health and safety requirements with respect to work at height, with certain exceptions including by instructors or leaders in recreational climbing and caving.

2.  These Regulations give effect as respects Great Britain to Directive 2001/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ No L195, 19.7.2001, p.46), amending Council Directive 89/655/EEC (OJ No L393, 30.12.89, p.13) concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers at work. They contain additional provisions, including provisions which replace regulations giving effect to certain provisions of Council Directives 89/391/EEC (OJ No L393, 30.12.89, p.1) concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace and 92/57/EEC (OJ No L245, 26.8.92, p.6) on the implementation of minimum health and safety requirements at temporary or mobile construction sites.

3.  The Regulations—

(a) impose duties relating to the organising and planning of work at height (regulation 4);

(b) require that persons at work be competent, or supervised by competent persons (regulation 5);

(c) prescribe steps to be taken to avoid risk from work at height (regulation 6 and Schedule 1);

(d) impose duties relating to the selection of work equipment (regulation 7);

(e) impose duties in relation to particular work equipment (regulation 8 and Schedules 2 to 6);

(f) impose duties for the avoidance of risks from fragile surfaces, falling objects and danger areas (regulations 9 to 11);

(g) require the inspection of certain work equipment and of places of work at height (regulations 12 and 13 and Schedule 7);

(h) impose duties on persons at work (regulation 14);

(i) provide for exemptions from certain provisions (regulations 15 and 16); and

(j) amend, repeal or revoke certain enactments (regulations 17 to19 and Schedule 8).

4.  A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business is available from the Health and Safety Executive, Safety Economics Unit, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS. A Transposition Note in relation to the implementation of the Directives can be obtained from the Health and Safety, International Branch at the same address. Copies of both these documents have been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.