Working at height: risks and regulations
22 December 2025 · 4 min reading time
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See job offersWorking at height is one of the most high-risk situations in the workplace, because a fall can occur in just a few seconds, even during a short or seemingly “routine” task. Roofs, platforms, scaffolding, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), ladders… Falls from height are the second leading cause of fatal workplace accidents, after road-related risks. Prevention must therefore be planned upstream, using appropriate equipment and a clear work organisation.
In this guide, we provide a clear and practical overview of the rules to know, the right reflexes to secure work at height, the appropriate equipment depending on the situation, and the possible penalties in the event of non-compliance. The objective is twofold: to effectively protect teams in the field and help employers remain compliant, so that an incident does not turn into an accident, and then into a legal dispute.
What is working at height?
Working at height refers to situations where tasks are carried out above a void or near an area where a fall is possible. This includes both the execution of the task itself and the access and movement phases.
The goal is to prevent falls from height by securing the workstation first through stable and protected solutions, and then, if necessary, complementing this approach with appropriate personal protective equipment.
When is it considered working at height?
Working at height applies whenever a worker is exposed to a difference in level that could result in a fall. There is no single threshold “from X metres”. An opening in a floor, an unprotected edge, an unstable surface or a constrained environment may be sufficient.
In practice, the assessment is based on real working conditions and the level of exposure, not solely on height.
When is authorisation required for working at height?
The term “authorisation” is often used, but in practice, the key issue is training and the ability to work safely using the selected equipment. As soon as a task involves a risk of falling, the employer must ensure that the worker has received appropriate training. This includes understanding the risks, applying best practices, selecting and checking equipment, and, when fall-arrest PPE is used, ensuring correct use and suitable anchorage conditions.
Some situations also require specific skills, for example working on scaffolding, operating a MEWP, or using a fall-arrest system. In addition, work organisation must define clear procedures in the event of an incident, including rescue arrangements.
What equipment is required for working at height?
Identifying the necessary equipment requires a thorough and task-specific risk assessment. Working at height covers very different situations, so the analysis must start from the task to be carried out and the on-site conditions, such as duration, access, ground stability, weather and co-activity.
The objective is always to implement the safest solution available. Collective protection must be prioritised, and only supplemented with fall-arrest PPE when collective measures are impossible or insufficient.
Collective protections may include guardrails, toe boards, intermediate rails, safety nets, work platforms and edge protection.
Appropriate work equipment can involve fixed or mobile scaffolding for long or repetitive tasks, MEWPs providing fast access with a secured platform, or secured platforms and walkways.
Ladders and step ladders should be reserved for very short and occasional tasks, and only when a safer solution cannot reasonably be installed and when conditions clearly limit the risk.
When collective protection is not possible, fall-arrest PPE may be required. This includes harnesses, lanyards with energy absorbers, mobile fall arresters, connectors, anchorage points and lifelines. In all cases, it is essential to carry out pre-use checks, ensure compatibility of the complete system, verify sufficient clearance below, and plan rescue procedures in case of a fall. If in doubt, the worker must stop the task, correct their position or ask for help.
Five key reflexes to prevent falls from height
- Before starting work, ensure that access is secured and the workstation is stable.
- Always prioritise collective protection and avoid improvising on ladders or step ladders to save time.
- If a harness is required, check the entire system, including anchorage, connection, adjustment and clearance, and confirm that a rescue plan is in place.
- Anticipate signage and co-activity, particularly around edges and openings.
- Whenever there is doubt, stop the task, adjust your position or seek assistance.
Is it allowed to work at height using a ladder or step ladder?
In principle, ladders and step ladders are access equipment and should not become the standard solution for working at height. Their use as a workstation is acceptable only in strictly controlled situations, typically when safer equipment cannot be installed, and for short, non-repetitive tasks involving low risk and controlled conditions.
In other words, this practice is not prohibited in all cases, but it must remain the exception rather than the rule.
Is working-at-height training mandatory?
There is no single official “working at height” training. However, employers are legally required to provide workers with practical and appropriate safety training adapted to the risks of the job.
Whenever an activity involves a fall risk, workers must be trained in correct practices, the proper use of equipment such as scaffolding, MEWPs or platforms, and, where applicable, the use of fall-arrest protection. This includes anchorage selection, harness adjustment, usage limits and inspections. Certain situations may also require targeted training or internal authorisation related to specific equipment, such as scaffolding assembly or MEWP operation.
Common mistakes that cause falls from height
Falls from height rarely happen by chance. In most cases, the same preparation or equipment-use errors are repeated, often because the task appears simple or quick. Identifying these situations helps improve prevention without unnecessarily complicating work.
Typical errors include the absence of proper safety training, improvised access instead of planned and secured access, and the use of ladders or step ladders as workstations in order to save time. Working near unprotected openings or edges also presents an immediate risk, even at low heights.
Environmental factors are frequently underestimated. Slippery ground, weather conditions, poor lighting, machinery traffic and co-activity all increase the likelihood of imbalance. Another common issue is the use of fall-arrest PPE without a complete and compatible system, which can create a false sense of security. Removing or modifying collective protection, even temporarily, and failing to plan rescue procedures in advance are also major contributors to serious accidents.
What are the employer’s responsibilities?
When working at height, the primary responsibility lies with the employer. They must assess fall risks, select appropriate protective measures by prioritising collective protection, and organise work so that safety is effectively implemented on site.
Employees also have responsibilities. They must follow safety instructions, use equipment correctly and immediately report any defective equipment or dangerous situation.
On construction sites, supervision and coordination play a critical role. Team leaders, site managers and all companies involved must ensure that access, signage and protective measures remain in place, even when conditions change or when multiple activities are carried out simultaneously.
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