Work At Height Regulations
Compensation Claims for Accidents Involving Working at Height
One of the most common types of accidents at work involves falls from a height. In order to reduce the number of serious injuries sustained as a result of this type of accident at work the Work at Height Regulations 2005 were brought into effect on the 6th April 2005.
The primary aim of this set of regulations is to lessen the number of accidents at work that take place when working at height, however the regulations also serve to make it easier for those suffering these types of misfortune to claim accident at work compensation for injuries sustained.
Please select one of the following topics for more information on these important regulations:
- Types of Accident covered
- Places Covered
- Who is Responsible
- Work at Height Regulations - Examples
- Successful Injury at Work Cases We Have Dealt With
- Compensation Claims
Types Of Accident Covered
The regulations apply to accidents that take place indoors, outdoors or underground. There is no minimum height, there just needs to be the danger of injury from falling. These will include falls from; platforms, ladders or stepladders, scaffolding and buildings. The regulations also cover these types of accidents whilst walking around a workplace and also being hit by a falling object. The do not cover however falls down a permanent set of stairs or travelling to and from work.
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Places Covered
The regulations apply to any place or situation where the employee is required to work from a height, it does not have to be their usual place of work. Most workplaces are covered including offices, shops and warehouses. However shipyards and docks are not included.
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Who Is Responsible
Those owing a duty include:
- An employer to an employee
- An employer to a person under his control
- The self employed
- Main contractors to site contractors
- Building occupiers to those working at a height
Their responsibilities include:
- To avoid working at a height wherever possible
- To use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where they cannot avoid work at height
- Where it is not possible to eliminate the risk of a fall to use work equipment or other measures to minimise the distance and consequences of the fall
It is the responsibility of the duty holder to assess and consider the safety of those working at a height throughout the duration of the job. They must:
- Properly plan and organise the work
- Undertake risk assessments
- Ensure all those involved in working at heights are trained and competent
- Provide and maintain proper equipment for working at height and inspect the equipment
- Specifically consider the weather conditions and if necessary postpone work
- Consider the risk from fragile surfaces and avoid them if possible
- Risk assess, provide and maintain collective and personal safety equipment
- Prevent items falling and prevent a person being hit by a falling object, if needs be, by restricting access to such an area
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Work At Height Regulations - Examples
Situations where the regulations will apply include:
- A shop employee using a ladder to change a light bulb
- A building owner who engages a roofing contractor
- A person hit by a box falling from a stack
Situations where the regulation will not apply include:
- A police officer riding a horse
- An instructor of a team building climbing activity
- A fisherman falling into the hold of a boat
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Successful Injury at Work Cases We Have Dealt With
Clear Answers' specialist solicitors, deal with all types of injury at work accidents, including those involving working at height. We have very many satisfied clients, due to our extensive experience in handling successful accident at work compensation claims. Please go to our Injury at Work Compensation Claims That We Have Dealt With section to read just a few examples of our successful cases.
Alternatively you may wish to visit our News Section to view other personal injury compensation claims that Clear Answers' solicitors have been successfully involved in.
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Compensation Claims
If you or a member of your family have a valid accident at work personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Clear Answers to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for yourself. Telephone us now for some free legal advice on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.
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