Working at Height Procedure Template

Purpose and Scope

• This procedure sets out how [Organisation Name] plans, manages, and carries out work at height at [Site/Location Name].
• It applies to all employees, contractors, and temporary staff performing any task where a fall could cause personal injury, regardless of task duration or height.

Working through related paperwork at the same time? See also our Lone Working Policy & Procedure Template, Accident & Incident Reporting Procedure Template and Fall Protection Plan Template.

Applicability

This procedure applies to tasks including, but not limited to:

• Using ladders, stepladders, kick stools, podiums, access towers, or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
• Working on or near fragile surfaces, including [Roof Lights / Fibre Cement Roofs].
• Working near open edges, floor openings, stairwells, excavations, or loading bays (such as mezzanines, cellar drops, vehicle beds, or racking).
• Reaching stock, tools, or equipment above shoulder height when climbing is required.
• Never improvise access using chairs, pallets, crates, or shelving. This is strictly prohibited under all circumstances.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Procedure Owner ([Role]): Authorises and plans work at height, maintains the equipment register, and oversees emergency rescue arrangements.
• Competent Persons ([Role]): Complete required training for assigned access equipment and carry out work at height according to this procedure.
• Managers and Supervisors: Verify task planning and risk assessments before work starts, and immediately stop any unauthorised or improvised access.
• All Staff: Inspect workspaces and equipment, and immediately report defective gear, damaged flooring, or missing edge protection to [Role].

Planning and Hierarchy of Controls

When planning work at height, apply this hierarchy in order:

• Avoid: Do the work from ground level whenever reasonably practicable. Use extendable tools, lower storage units, or assemble components on the ground before installation.
• Prevent: If you cannot avoid working at height, choose equipment that stops falls before they happen, such as guardrails, podium steps, mobile access towers, or fully fenced platforms.
• Minimise: If fall risks remain, choose equipment that reduces the fall distance and impact. Use personal fall-arrest systems only as a last resort.
• Rescue Arrangements: Any task requiring personal fall-arrest gear must have a written rescue plan verified before work starts. Relying solely on public emergency services is not an acceptable rescue plan.

Pre-Task Requirements

1. Confirm a current risk assessment and this procedure cover the task. If there is no risk assessment, stop the task and notify [Role].
2. For outdoor tasks, check the weather. Postpone work if conditions exceed safe limits set out in the risk assessment (such as high winds, heavy rain, or ice).
3. Use the exact equipment specified in the task risk assessment. Do not swap it for alternative or nearby gear.
4. Inspect all selected equipment before use and immediately reject anything defective.
5. Set up an exclusion zone on the ground beneath the work area using physical barriers, cones, or dedicated personnel ([Barriers/Cones/Signage]).
6. Ensure a second person knows the work is underway. Working at height alone is prohibited unless the risk assessment explicitly authorises it.

Ladder and Stepladder Operational Rules

1. Inspect the ladder before use. Check that stiles are not bent or split, rungs are intact, rubber feet are fitted and undamaged, and locking mechanisms work correctly.
2. Place the ladder on stable, level, dry ground. Never set ladders on boxes, pallets, or improvised bases.
3. Set leaning ladders at a safe angle (one unit out for every four units up). Secure or foot the ladder as specified in the risk assessment.
4. Maintain three points of contact at all times (two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot). Keep your belt buckle between the stiles. Move the ladder instead of overreaching.
5. Carry tools in a tool belt, holster, or shoulder bag so both hands stay free while climbing.
6. Limit ladders and stepladders to low-risk, short jobs. If a task takes over 30 minutes, or requires heavy physical force or two-handed operation, use platform steps, a tower, or a MEWP instead.

Equipment Inspection and Maintenance

• Assign every piece of work-at-height equipment (including ladders, stepladders, podiums, towers, and harnesses) a unique ID and record it in the equipment register at [System/Location Name].
• Operators must carry out a pre-use check before every use.
• [Role] must complete formal, recorded inspections at intervals set by manufacturer instructions and regulatory guidance.
• Tag defective equipment immediately, remove it from service, and quarantine it in a secure area until repaired or scrapped.
• [Role] must inspect hired or borrowed equipment and log it in the equipment register before its first use on site.

Emergency Response and Incident Handling

1. Stop work immediately and secure the surrounding area.
2. If someone falls, call emergency services right away. Do not move the injured person unless they face immediate danger.
3. If a worker is suspended in a fall-arrest harness, launch the dedicated rescue plan immediately and call emergency services.
4. Report all falls, dropped objects, and near-misses to [Role] using the accident and incident reporting procedure before the end of the shift.
5. Do not restart work until the incident has been investigated and [Role] has reviewed and approved the updated risk assessment and plan.

Records and Procedure Review

• Store equipment registers, formal inspection logs, training records, and task plans in [System/Location Name] for [Retention Period].
• Review this procedure [Review Frequency, e.g., Annually], after any fall or near-miss incident, or whenever equipment, premises, or work practices change significantly.
• Procedure Owner: [Role]
• Next Review Date: [Date]