SSSTS Working at Height 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which statement best describes the legal definition of 'work at height'?
- Any work carried out more than 2 metres above the ground
- Work in any place where a person could fall and be injured, including at or below ground level (Correct answer)
- Any work performed on a ladder, scaffold or elevated platform
- Work conducted only on rooftops or permanent elevated structures
Correct answer: Work in any place where a person could fall and be injured, including at or below ground level
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 define work at height as any location where a person could fall and sustain injury, which includes ground level (e.g., near an excavation) as well as elevated positions.
Question 2: What is the correct three-step hierarchy of control measures for working at height under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?
- Avoid working at height; prevent falls using collective measures; mitigate the consequences of a fall (Correct answer)
- Assess the risk; control the hazard; monitor the outcome
- Eliminate the task; substitute the method; engineer a solution
- Plan the work; organise the resources; implement the controls
Correct answer: Avoid working at height; prevent falls using collective measures; mitigate the consequences of a fall
Regulation 6 sets out a three-step hierarchy: first avoid the need to work at height, then prevent falls using collective measures such as guard rails, and finally mitigate consequences using equipment such as nets or airbags.
Question 3: How frequently must a scaffold be inspected by a competent person under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?
- Once a month, regardless of weather or site events
- Only before first use and after any significant structural change
- At least every 7 days and after any event likely to have affected its stability (Correct answer)
- Every 14 days and after high winds exceeding 40 mph
Correct answer: At least every 7 days and after any event likely to have affected its stability
Schedule 7 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 requires that scaffolds be inspected by a competent person at least every 7 days and following any event (such as severe weather or accidental impact) that may have affected their stability.
Question 4: What is the minimum height for a top guard rail on a working platform as specified in Schedule 2 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005?
- 900mm
- 950mm (Correct answer)
- 1000mm
- 1100mm
Correct answer: 950mm
Schedule 2 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 specifies that the top guard rail must be at least 950mm above the working surface to provide adequate protection against falls.
Question 5: Which of the following is classified as a PERSONAL (rather than collective) fall protection measure?
- Scaffold with guard rails and toe boards
- Safety nets installed beneath the work area
- Personal fall arrest harness and lanyard (Correct answer)
- Airbag crash deck positioned below workers
Correct answer: Personal fall arrest harness and lanyard
A personal fall arrest harness and lanyard is personal protective equipment (PPE) that only protects the individual wearing it; collective measures such as guard rails and nets protect all workers in the area without individual action.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a toe board fitted to the edge of a working platform?
- To provide a non-slip surface for workers standing at the platform edge
- To prevent tools, materials and debris from being kicked or rolling off the edge (Correct answer)
- To indicate the outer boundary of the safe working area
- To provide structural support for the guard rail system
Correct answer: To prevent tools, materials and debris from being kicked or rolling off the edge
Toe boards are fitted at the perimeter of working platforms to stop tools, materials and loose items from rolling or being accidentally kicked over the edge, protecting people below.
Question 7: Under Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what are the three core duties an employer must fulfil before work at height commences?
- Notify the HSE, obtain a permit to work, and brief the workforce
- Purchase appropriate equipment, train all workers, and display warning signs
- Ensure all work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely by competent persons (Correct answer)
- Complete a RIDDOR report, brief the emergency services, and install safety nets
Correct answer: Ensure all work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out safely by competent persons
Regulation 4 requires that every employer ensures work at height is properly planned (including emergencies), appropriately supervised, and carried out in a manner that is so far as is reasonably practicable safe, using competent persons.
SSSTS Working at Height 1
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, which statement best describes the legal definition of 'work at height'?