The Working at Height Regulations 2005 main points:

• the definition of working at height no longer means above 2 metres before PPE is required, the Regulations now state “where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury”
   
• to ensure that you comply fully with the regulations you should ensure that you have completed the following:
  
  a) Risk assessment and Method statement
  
  b) Formulate a rescue plan that does not rely on the Emergency Services
  
  c) Provide adequate recorded training
  
  d) Ensure all PPE is examined and where necessary serviced at the required intervals

Important: the above is an overview of the main points to consider, please visit www.hse.gov.uk

Fall Factors

Calculating the potential fall distances:

When using a shock absorbing lanyard it is important to understand how to calculate the potential fall distance to avoid contact with the lower lever. The calculation below gives the minimum fall distance between the anchorage point of the lanyard (Fall Factor 2) and the lower level.

This is calculated by allowing for:

• twice the length of the lanyard (to allow for the length of the lanyard and the height of the worker).
• + 1.75 metres deceleration distance to allow for elongation of the shock absorber and any give in the lanyard.
• + 1 metre safety margin
• Total = 6.75 metres clearance required using a 2 metre lanyard
   

FALL FACTOR - 0

Best Option

FALL FACTOR - 1

Acceptable Option

FALL FACTOR - 2

Worst Case