Working at Height Regulations Flashcards

What must be done with a scaffold inspection report under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?

Answer: It must be kept on site and available for inspection for 3 months

Regulation 12(7) requires that a report of every scaffold inspection is prepared by the competent person within 24 hours of the inspection. The report must be kept at the site until the work is completed, and then retained for 3 months after that.

A ladder is being used for construction work. Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, in what circumstances may a ladder be used as a workplace?

Answer: Only when a risk assessment shows it is justified because of the low risk and short duration of the task

Schedule 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 permits ladders as a workplace only where a risk assessment has shown that the use of more suitable equipment is not justified because of the low risk and short duration of the task, or due to features of the site that cannot be altered.

What constitutes a 'fragile surface' under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?

Answer: A surface that would be liable to fail if a person's weight were applied to it

Regulation 2 defines a fragile surface as a surface that would be liable to fail if any reasonably foreseeable loading were applied to it. This includes cement fibre sheets, glass skylights, corroded metal sheeting, and any material that cannot safely support a person's weight.

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) are commonly used on construction sites. What is a key management requirement when using a MEWP?

Answer: Operators must be trained and competent, and the MEWP must be inspected under LOLER and PUWER

MEWP operators must be trained and competent (IPAF or equivalent certification is industry standard). MEWPs are subject to LOLER 1998 (thorough examination every 6 months) and PUWER 1998 (maintained in safe condition). A rescue plan must also be in place.

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the duty regarding falling objects?

Answer: Steps must be taken to prevent objects falling, and where this is not reasonably practicable, to prevent injury from falling objects

Regulation 10 requires that every employer shall take suitable and sufficient steps to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, any person being struck by a falling object likely to cause personal injury. This includes using toe boards, brick guards, netting, and exclusion zones.

A manager is planning work near an unprotected roof edge. What is the preferred control measure according to the hierarchy in the Work at Height Regulations 2005?

Answer: Install temporary edge protection such as guardrails and toe boards

Collective protection measures such as guardrails and toe boards are preferred over personal protection (harnesses) in the hierarchy. Guardrails protect everyone in the area without relying on individual behaviour, making them more reliable. Harnesses are a lower-tier measure used when collective protection is not reasonably practicable.