UK Work at Height Regulations Compliance Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers and duty holders to ensure all work at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent persons using appropriate equipment. Failure to comply can result in HSE enforcement action, prohibition notices, and significant fines under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This checklist aligns with HSE INDG401 guidance and CDM Regulations 2015 to provide a comprehensive site inspection framework for managing fall risks at hei

  • Industry: UK Construction
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Role: Site Manager
  • Total Items: 41
  • Compliance: Work at Height Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/735), CDM Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/51), BS EN 12811-1:2003 Temporary Works, PUWER 1998 (SI 1998/2306), HSE INDG401 - Working at Height: A Brief Guide

Planning and Risk Assessment

Verify that all work at height activities have been properly planned, risk assessed, and documented prior to commencement.

  • Has a written risk assessment for all work at height activities been completed and is it available on site?
  • Has the hierarchy of controls been applied — avoiding work at height where reasonably practicable before specifying equipment?
  • Is a current method statement (RAMS) in place covering each work at height task on site today?
  • Have all workers conducting work at height signed to confirm they have read and understood the relevant RAMS?
  • Has a rescue and emergency plan been documented and communicated to all relevant personnel?

Competence and Supervision

Confirm that all persons working at height and supervising such work are adequately trained and competent.

  • Are all workers engaged in work at height demonstrably competent, with training records available for inspection?
  • Is there a competent person designated as supervisor for all work at height activities currently in progress?
  • Do scaffolders and operatives hold valid CISRS cards or equivalent documented competency qualifications?
  • Have workers been briefed on site-specific hazards relevant to work at height during today's toolbox talk or induction?
  • Are records of toolbox talks, inductions, and work at height training stored and accessible on site?

Scaffolding Inspection

Inspect all scaffolding structures on site for compliance with BS EN 12811-1 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

  • Has all scaffolding been erected by a competent scaffolding contractor and inspected prior to first use?
  • Is a valid TG20:21 or designer-approved scaffold design present and displayed or available on site?
  • Are all scaffold boards securely fixed, free from damage, and of adequate thickness (minimum 38mm)?
  • Are all scaffold working platforms fully boarded with no gaps exceeding 25mm between boards?
  • Are all scaffold structures fitted with compliant guard rails (minimum 950mm height), mid-rails, and toe boards (minimum 150mm)?
  • Have scaffold inspection reports (Form HSE F91) been completed within the last 7 days and are they held on site?

Edge Protection and Fall Prevention

Assess all open edges, roof areas, excavation edges, and floor openings for adequate collective fall prevention measures.

  • Are all exposed edges at height (roof edges, floor openings, voids) protected by compliant edge protection or barriers?
  • Are all floor openings and penetrations covered with marked, secured covers capable of supporting the maximum likely load?
  • Where fragile roofs or surfaces are present, have suitable measures (boards, staging, netting) been installed to prevent falls through?
  • Is safety netting or soft landing systems deployed below areas where collective edge protection cannot be provided?
  • Are all temporary edge protection systems (e.g., HAKI, Combisafe) installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions?

Ladders and Stepladders

Inspect all ladders and stepladders in use on site for condition, correct use, and compliance with WAH Regulations.

  • Are ladders only being used where a risk assessment has determined they are the most suitable equipment for the task?
  • Are all ladders in use on site pre-use inspected, free from defects (cracks, bent stiles, broken rungs), and tagged as safe?
  • Are all leaning ladders secured at the top, footed at the base, and set at the correct 75-degree angle (1 out for every 4 up)?
  • Do all ladders used for access extend at least 1 metre (5 rungs) above the landing point?
  • Are stepladders being used in the fully open position and is three-points of contact maintained when in use?

Personal Fall Protection Equipment

Verify that personal fall protection equipment is correctly specified, inspected, and used only as a last resort after collective measures.

  • Is personal fall protection equipment (harnesses, lanyards, inertia reels) only deployed where collective fall prevention is not practicable?
  • Has all personal fall arrest equipment been inspected within the last 6 months by a competent person with records available?
  • Are all workers using harnesses trained in their correct fitting, inspection, and the limitations of the equipment?
  • Are anchor points for fall arrest equipment identified, assessed for structural adequacy (minimum 15kN), and marked on drawings?
  • Has fall clearance distance been calculated and confirmed to ensure the lanyard length prevents a worker striking the ground or obstruction?

Falling Objects and Materials Control

Assess controls in place to prevent materials, tools, and debris from falling and injuring persons below work at height areas.

  • Are exclusion zones established and clearly marked below all areas where work at height is taking place?
  • Are all tools and materials being used at height stored in tool lanyards, tool bags, or secured containers to prevent dropping?
  • Are debris nets, fans, or brickguards fitted to scaffolding where materials could fall to public or traffic areas?
  • Are waste chutes used for removal of materials from height and are they fully enclosed and directed to a secured skip?
  • Are all workers and visitors in areas adjacent to or below work at height wearing appropriate hard hats (EN 397 compliant)?

Inspection Records and Corrective Actions

Record overall findings, document deficiencies identified, and confirm corrective actions and responsible persons.

  • Were any immediate safety concerns identified during this inspection that required work to be stopped?
  • Have all deficiencies identified during this inspection been recorded with a named responsible person and target completion date?
  • Please provide details of any non-conformances, defects, or unsafe conditions identified during this inspection.
  • Have photographs been taken to document conditions observed during this inspection?
  • Has this completed inspection report been communicated to the Principal Contractor and relevant site management?

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Why Use This UK Work at Height Regulations Compliance Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This uk work at height regulations compliance inspection checklist [free pdf] helps uk construction teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for site manager professionals, this checklist covers 41 critical inspection points across 8 sections. Recommended frequency: weekly.

Ensures compliance with Work at Height Regulations 2005 (SI 2005/735), CDM Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/51), BS EN 12811-1:2003 Temporary Works, PUWER 1998 (SI 1998/2306), HSE INDG401 - Working at Height: A Brief Guide. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the UK Work at Height Regulations Compliance Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 41 inspection items across 8 sections: Planning and Risk Assessment, Competence and Supervision, Scaffolding Inspection, Edge Protection and Fall Prevention, Ladders and Stepladders, Personal Fall Protection Equipment, Falling Objects and Materials Control, Inspection Records and Corrective Actions. It is designed for uk construction operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed weekly. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.

Who should use this UK Work at Height Regulations Compliance Inspection Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Site Manager professionals in the uk construction industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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