Working at height is one of the most high-risk activities in the workplace, with falls remaining a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities in the UK. Whether you’re in construction, maintenance, utilities, or facilities management, ensuring your team is equipped with the right working at height safety equipment is essential for protecting lives and staying compliant with UK health and safety regulations. Essential working at height safety equipment includes:
1. Safety Harnesses and Lanyards
A correctly fitted safety harness, used alongside the right lanyard, is the foundation of fall protection. Harnesses must be inspected before every use, ensuring there are no signs of wear or damage. Choosing between fall arrest systems (to stop a fall in progress) and work restraint systems (to prevent reaching a fall risk) depends on the specific task and environment.
2. Anchor Points and Lifelines
Secure anchor points are critical for attaching fall protection systems. These can be fixed anchors, temporary anchors, or horizontal lifelines, depending on the job location. All anchor systems must meet the necessary safety standards and be installed by competent professionals.
3. Ladders and Mobile Access Towers
Using the right access equipment can significantly reduce the risk of falls. Ladders should be industrial-grade, correctly angled, and secured. For longer or more complex tasks, mobile access towers offer greater stability and working space, but require proper training for safe assembly and use.
4. Fall Arrest Blocks and Retractable Lifelines
For jobs that require freedom of movement, self-retracting lifelines or fall arrest blocks provide continuous fall protection while allowing flexibility. They are especially useful for roof work, scaffolding, and areas with multiple fall hazards.
5. PPE for Working at Height
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes helmets with chin straps, non-slip footwear, and gloves for a secure grip.
Choose 1st Choice Safety:
Having the right equipment is only part of the safety solution; knowing how to use it correctly is just as important. Incorrect harness fitting, poor anchor point selection, or improper ladder use can all lead to serious accidents. That’s why Working at Height Training is essential for anyone carrying out these tasks.
1st Choice Safety Training & Consultancy, deliver hands-on Working at Height Training and Confined Spaces Training, tailored to your industry and work environment. Our expert trainers many with firefighting backgrounds ensure your team is confident, competent, and compliant. We can train your staff on-site, off-site, or at our Midlands training centre, using either our equipment or your own for familiarity.
Contact us to book your Working at Height Training or Confined Spaces Training, and make safety a priority on every job.
