What Are the Hazards When Working at Height?

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), working at height includes any activity where a person could fall far enough to cause injury if proper safety measures are not in place.

This type of work exposes workers in construction, maintenance, decorating and other occupations to numerous hazards that can cause injuries, including overhead power lines, unstable surfaces, ladder misuse, and falling objects.

In fact, falls from height are the number one cause of workplace fatalities according to the HSE. Before carrying out any work at height, employers must carefully assess hazards and take all reasonable steps to mitigate or eliminate them, as required by the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

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Table of Contents

• Poor housekeeping
• Power lines
• Falling objects
• Fragile or unstable surfaces
• Unprotected openings
• Adverse weather
• Poor planning and training
• A lack of safety equipment
• Faulty equipment and machinery
• Ladder misuse
• How can employers reduce the hazards of working at height?
• What are the responsibilities of employees who work at height?

Poor housekeeping

Hazards such as uneven surfaces, leaks and tools and materials left lying around are some of the most common causes of slips, trips, and falls in the workplace, including when work is carried out at heights. These incidents remain the leading cause of workplace injuries across all sectors.

Poor housekeeping can also create risks for those working below, as unsecured tools, debris, or materials may fall and cause serious harm. Maintaining a clean and tidy work environment is a simple yet highly effective way to prevent accidents when working at height.

Power lines

Power lines are another work at height hazard that poses a significant risk of electric shocks and death. Contact with live wires can occur through direct contact or indirectly, if a long ladder, a scaffold pole, or another piece of equipment touches the power line, and is one of the main causes of workplace fatalities.

Before carrying out any work at height, the area should be carefully assessed for the presence of cables and power lines. If the risk of electrocution is high, workers should receive non-conductive tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), such as insulated gloves, boots and arc-rated clothing.

Falling objects

Anyone working or walking below an elevated work area is at risk of being hit by falling tools, debris, materials and equipment. Even small items can cause serious injuries, such as concussions and broken bones, if they strike someone from above.

Various control measures can be put in place to mitigate the risk of falling objects. These include wearing a chin strap to secure hard hats, using safety netting and toe boards, attaching tools to safety chords and keeping a tidy work area.

Fragile or unstable surfaces

Stepping on an unstable or fragile surface, such as roofing, scaffolding, a skylight, or a platform, may cause it to collapse or cause workers to lose their footing. The instability can be caused by various factors, such as wear and tear, poor weather conditions, debris, design flaws, or structural defects.

Falls from scaffolding and other surfaces can result in severe injuries such as broken bones, spinal damage and brain trauma. To prevent accidents, it is essential to carry out regular inspection and maintenance, use non-slip footwear and materials and keep surfaces clean. The HSE provides guidance on the safe use of scaffolding.

Unprotected openings

A lack of edge protection is a common work at height hazard that could lead to falls, severe injuries and even fatalities. Uncovered utility holes, lift shafts, excavation holes or openings in floors also pose a direct threat of falling to a lower level.

Additionally, tools and materials could be dropped off or fall through such openings, posing a risk to those below. To prevent accidents and injuries, all edges should have edge protection systems, such as guardrails or handrails, and workers should be provided with restraint equipment. Safety netting could also be used, and all openings should be clearly marked.

Adverse weather

Poor weather conditions can create hazards and increase the risk of injury on construction sites and other jobs where there is work at height. Ice, rain, snow and high winds can cause a person to slip or lose their balance, which could result in a fall from height accident.

The HSE advises that no work at height should be carried out if wind speeds are over 23mph. Hot temperatures also pose a risk of heat stress and heatstroke, which can lead to severe symptoms and even death. If the weather conditions are poor, any work at height should be postponed or workers should receive adequate PPE.

Poor planning and training

First of all, employers should avoid working at height whenever possible. When this is not possible, thorough risk assessments should be conducted to identify all potential hazards associated with the tasks and take the necessary precautions to eliminate or mitigate them.

The proper training of workers is also essential to preventing accidents. They must understand the hazards involved, know how to work safely, and use PPE correctly. A failure to plan work properly and provide safety training is a significant hazard when working at height.

A lack of safety equipment

Even with proper planning and adequate training, the risk of accidents when working at heights cannot be entirely eliminated. Personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, ropes, harnesses, and anti-slip footwear, is essential, as it can significantly reduce the risk of injuries or minimise them if accidents occur.

Employers must supply all the necessary PPE for working at height free of charge and ensure that it fits each worker correctly. They must also provide training on how to use the provided PPE and replace any defective or damaged items immediately.

Faulty equipment and machinery

Workplace equipment and machinery can pose substantial hazards when working at heights if it is defective, faulty, or not adequately maintained. Mechanical failures of cranes, lifts, cherry pickers or hoists can lead to crush injuries, falls and being hit by falling objects.

Faulty ladders, tools or PPE also pose a significant risk for injuries, including electric shocks. To prevent them, it is necessary to conduct regular inspections and repair or replace any equipment that shows signs of wear and tear, structural issues or mechanical malfunctions.

Ladder misuse

Any work carried out from a ladder is considered work at height, and it poses specific hazards for accidents. Using ladders should be reserved for short-duration (under 30 minutes) and low-risk work when other, more suitable equipment is not feasible.

Hazards arise from placing ladders on unstable ground, using the wrong type of ladder, failing to secure it properly or overreaching while working. Workers must receive training on the safe use of ladders and stepladders to know how to use them correctly and protect their safety.

How can employers reduce the hazards of working at height?

Employers must comply with various legislation to protect the health and safety of employees when working at height, including:

• The Work at Height Regulations 2005.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992.

To minimise the risks of working at height, it is essential that employers:

• Conduct thorough risk assessments before any work at height takes place.
• Ensure that the work is adequately planned and supervised.
• Ensure safe systems of work are in place, such as guardrails, toe boards and safety nets.
• Provide appropriate PPE such as harnesses, helmets and protective footwear.
• Maintain equipment and machinery and ensure they are safe to use.
• Make sure all employees are competent and adequately trained.
• Monitor the weather and stop working in unsafe conditions.

What are the responsibilities of employees who work at height?

Employees also share responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others. Their duties include:

• Follow the training, instruction and safe work procedures provided by their employer.
• Use ladders, machinery and PPE correctly at all times.
• Keep their work area tidy and avoid acting carelessly.
• Report hazards, unsafe practices or damaged equipment without delay.

It is essential to mention that any employee who suffers an injury or illness due to their employer’s failure to mitigate the risks associated with working at height may be eligible to make an accident at work claim for compensation.

If you have suffered a work at height accident and would like to claim compensation, we would be happy to offer you a free case assessment. Please call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back for a no-obligation consultation with an experienced legal adviser.

Last edited on 9th Jan 2026

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.