06.04.2005

Work at Height Regulations come into force

The Temporary Work at Height Directive comes into UK law today as the Work at Height Regulations. The Regulations are aimed at maintaining and improving standards of safety at all work at height.

Requirements for work above two metres have not really changed, the new regulations, based on the European directive Directive 2001/45 EC and brings together existing rules and makes it clearer what companies should be doing to improve safety at height. One significant change is that the rules are now extended to work at any height.

In order to help companies understand the new rules, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a brief guide to the Work at Height Regulations today. The guide outlines what people must do to comply with the Regulations.

Dr Elizabeth Gibby, Director of HSE's Injuries Reduction Programme, said:
"This guidance is aimed principally at small businesses and those not familiar with the Work at Height Regulations. It gives an excellent short introduction to the new Regulations and how to work at height safely."

"Some in the construction industry are concerned about what the Regulations mean for standards of work above two metres. These Regulations are aimed at maintaining and improving standards for all work at height. Standards for work above two metres will not change, they are simply being extended
to work at any height."

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 ? a brief guide is available on the HSE Websitelink[http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf]( (click here for link)) It will also be available free from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA, tel: 01787 881165 or fax: 01787 313995.

Also from the Stationery Office Ltd (TSO). For further details, please contact TSO, tel: 0870 6005522; fax: 0870 600 5533; e-mail [email protected]