Working at Height

Apr 21, 2026

Work at Height Regulations 2005

Working at height is one of those tasks that can feel routine… right up until the moment it doesn’t.

Maybe that’s why I keep coming back to just how important proper training is when people are using access equipment. Not simply to tick a box, but to keep people safe in situations where even a small mistake can have serious consequences.

In the UK, the starting point is clear. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 place a legal duty on employers to ensure anyone using MEWPs, scaffolding towers or other access platforms is competent. That word is used a lot, but in practical terms it means someone who has received the right training, can identify risks, and understands how to manage them.

It sounds obvious, but I’ve seen how quickly things can go wrong when this is overlooked.

  • The wrong setup angle.
  • Poor ground assessment.
  • Platform overload.
  • Or the classic… trying to solve a problem one risky shortcut at a time.
Work at Height Regulations 2005

Good training isn’t only about knowing how to operate the equipment. It also covers the things people can sometimes overlook:

  • choosing the right machine for the task
  • pre-use inspections
  • emergency lowering procedures
  • avoiding crush risks
  • dealing with weather, ground conditions and overhead obstructions
  • and understanding manufacturer guidance, rather than guessing it

And perhaps the point that stays with me most is that proper training protects everyone involved: the operator, the people working nearby, and the business itself. When things go wrong, the costs aren’t just financial. They can be legal and personal too.

Competence isn’t something people simply “pick up”.

It’s taught, practised, refreshed and supervised.

If your teams use access equipment, it’s worth taking a moment to ask:

Would they know what to do if something unexpected happened?

If the answer isn’t a confident yes, then it may be time to review training again.

For help or advice about working at height or the Work at Height Regulations 2005, please contact our training team.

Mark Woolliscroft
Training Manager

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