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The Work at Height Regulations 2005

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  1. Introductory Text

  2. 1.Citation and commencement

  3. 2.Interpretation

  4. 3.Application

  5. 4.Organisation and planning

  6. 5.Competence

  7. 6.Avoidance of risks from work at height

  8. 7.Selection of work equipment for work at height

  9. 8.Requirements for particular work equipment

  10. 8A.Dock Operations

  11. 9.Fragile surfaces

  12. 10.Falling objects

  13. 11.Danger areas

  14. 12.Inspection of work equipment

  15. 13.Inspection of places of work at height

  16. 14.Duties of persons at work

  17. 14A.Special provision in relation to caving and climbing

  18. 15.Exemption by the Health and Safety Executive

  19. 16.Exemption for the armed forces

  20. 17.Amendment of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

  21. 18.Repeal of section 24 of the Factories Act 1961

  22. 19.Revocation of instruments

  23. Signature

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING PLACES OF WORK AND MEANS OF ACCESS OR EGRESS AT HEIGHT

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      REQUIREMENTS FOR GUARD-RAILS, TOE-BOARDS, BARRIERS AND SIMILAR COLLECTIVE MEANS OF PROTECTION

      1. 1.Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Schedule...

      2. 2.Means of protection shall— (a) be of sufficient dimensions, of...

      3. 3.In relation to work at height involved in construction work—...

      4. 4.Any structure or part of a structure which supports means...

      5. 5.(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), there shall not be a...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      REQUIREMENTS FOR WORKING PLATFORMS

      1. PART 1 REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL WORKING PLATFORMS

        1. 1.Interpretation

        2. 2.Condition of surfaces

        3. 3.Stability of supporting structure

        4. 4.Stability of working platforms

        5. 5.Safety on working platforms

        6. 6.Loading

      2. PART 2 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SCAFFOLDING

        1. 7.Additional requirements for scaffolding

        2. 8.Depending on the complexity of the scaffolding selected, an assembly,...

        3. 9.A copy of the plan, including any instructions it may...

        4. 10.The dimensions, form and layout of scaffolding decks shall be...

        5. 11.While a scaffold is not available for use, including during...

        6. 12.Scaffolding may be assembled, dismantled or significantly altered only under...

    4. SCHEDULE 4

      REQUIREMENTS FOR COLLECTIVE SAFEGUARDS FOR ARRESTING FALLS

      1. 1.Any reference in this Schedule to a safeguard is to...

      2. 2.A safeguard shall be used only if—

      3. 3.A safeguard shall be suitable and of sufficient strength to...

      4. 4.A safeguard shall— (a) in the case of a safeguard...

      5. 5.Suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to ensure, so...

    5. SCHEDULE 5

      REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

      1. PART 1 REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS

        1. 1.A personal fall protection system shall be used only if—...

        2. 2.A personal fall protection system shall— (a) be suitable and...

        3. 3.A personal fall protection system designed for use with an...

        4. 4.Suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to prevent any...

      2. PART 2 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK POSITIONING SYSTEMS

      3. PART 3 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ROPE ACCESS AND POSITIONING TECHNIQUES

        1. 1.Except as provided in paragraph 3, a rope access or...

        2. 2.Taking the risk assessment into account and depending in particular...

        3. 3.The system may comprise a single rope where—

      4. PART 4 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FALL ARREST SYSTEMS

        1. 1.A fall arrest system shall incorporate a suitable means of...

        2. 2.A fall arrest system shall not be used in a...

      5. PART 5 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

    6. SCHEDULE 6

      REQUIREMENTS FOR LADDERS

      1. 1.Every employer shall ensure that a ladder is used for...

      2. 2.Any surface upon which a ladder rests shall be stable,...

      3. 3.A ladder shall be so positioned as to ensure its...

      4. 4.A suspended ladder shall be attached in a secure manner...

      5. 5.A portable ladder shall be prevented from slipping during use...

      6. 6.A ladder used for access shall be long enough to...

      7. 7.No interlocking or extension ladder shall be used unless its...

      8. 8.A mobile ladder shall be prevented from moving before it...

      9. 9.Where a ladder or run of ladders rises a vertical...

      10. 10.Every ladder shall be used in such a way that—...

    7. SCHEDULE 7

      PARTICULARS TO BE INCLUDED IN A REPORT OF INSPECTION

      1. 1.The name and address of the person for whom the...

      2. 2.The location of the work equipment inspected.

      3. 3.A description of the work equipment inspected.

      4. 4.The date and time of the inspection.

      5. 5.Details of any matter identified that could give rise to...

      6. 6.Details of any action taken as a result of any...

      7. 7.Details of any further action considered necessary.

      8. 8.The name and position of the person making the report....

    8. SCHEDULE 8

      REVOCATION OF INSTRUMENTS

    9. SCHEDULE 9

      REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK IN DOCKS

      1. 1.In relation to work at height where people are engaged...

      2. 2.In this Schedule— “dock gate” means any lock gate or...

  24. Explanatory Note

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