IPAF Working at Height Regulations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym RIDDOR stand for in the context of UK workplace safety?
- Risk Identification, Documentation, and Danger Operation Regulation
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (Correct answer)
- Regulatory Inspection of Dangerous and Defective Operating Resources
- Risk in Design, Development and Operational Review
Correct answer: Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations
RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. It requires employers to report certain serious workplace incidents, including falls from height, to the HSE.
Question 2: A risk assessment for MEWP work identifies that strong winds are forecast. Under the Work at Height Regulations, what must the employer do?
- Proceed as planned but issue extra PPE
- Postpone or modify the work to account for the weather conditions (Correct answer)
- Double the number of operators on each MEWP
- Ignore the forecast as MEWPs are designed for all weather
Correct answer: Postpone or modify the work to account for the weather conditions
The Work at Height Regulations require that weather conditions are taken into account and that work at height does not proceed if conditions could jeopardise safety. The employer must postpone, reschedule, or modify the work plan accordingly.
Question 3: What is the employer's duty regarding training under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?
- Training is optional but recommended
- Only supervisors need to be trained
- Every person involved in work at height must be competent, or supervised by a competent person (Correct answer)
- Training is only required after an accident occurs
Correct answer: Every person involved in work at height must be competent, or supervised by a competent person
Regulation 5 of the Work at Height Regulations requires that every person engaged in work at height (including planning, supervision, and equipment use) is competent, or if in training, supervised by a competent person.
Question 4: Which body is responsible for enforcing health and safety regulations including working at height on UK construction sites?
- Local council planning department
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (Correct answer)
- The Environment Agency
- The police
Correct answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the UK's national regulator for workplace health and safety. HSE inspectors enforce the Work at Height Regulations, PUWER, LOLER, and other safety legislation on construction sites.
Question 5: Under UK law, what is the penalty for a serious breach of the Work at Height Regulations resulting in a fatality?
- A written warning only
- A fine of up to £500
- Unlimited fines and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years (Correct answer)
- Suspension of the company's trading licence for 6 months
Correct answer: Unlimited fines and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years
Serious breaches of health and safety law in the UK can result in unlimited fines for organisations and, for individuals, fines and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years. In cases of corporate manslaughter, the penalties are even more severe.
Question 6: What documentation must be available on site when MEWP work at height is being carried out?
- Only the operator's PAL Card
- A risk assessment, method statement, and LOLER thorough examination report (Correct answer)
- The manufacturer's sales brochure
- A letter from the HSE approving the work
Correct answer: A risk assessment, method statement, and LOLER thorough examination report
When carrying out MEWP work at height, the site must have a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, a method statement (safe system of work), and the current LOLER thorough examination report for the equipment. The operator's PAL Card should also be verified.
IPAF Working at Height Regulations 2
What does the acronym RIDDOR stand for in the context of UK workplace safety?